Minor Injuries: Seeking Treatment in a Timely Manner

Many people feel less than completely pleased when they look at themselves in a full-length mirror due to stubborn pockets of fat or uneven body contours. If you count yourself among them, you may want to consider a type of cosmetic correction known as body contouring. Start by examining these four key points on the subject.

1. Reasons to Consider Body Contouring

Although body contouring involves fat removal, you shouldn't think of it as a weight loss treatment. This type of care focuses on improving the overall shape and contours of the body by removing specific areas of excess fat or cellulite buildup. If you can't eliminate the problem areas through diet and lifestyle, consider body contouring.

Some body contouring techniques can also remove excess skin. You may want to schedule body contouring if a recent surgery or dramatic weight loss has left you with loose, sagging folds of skin on specific areas of your body, such as the belly or arms.

2. Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Body Contouring

You can achieve body contouring through either surgical or non-surgical methods. Surgical techniques such as liposuction can make good sense if you need to remove a large amount of tissue all at once. However, you must block out time to recuperate from the surgery, and the upfront costs tend to be higher than non-surgical alternatives.

Non-surgical body contouring allows you to avoid the postoperative pain and recovery period associated with surgery. You'll also pay less for the initial treatment, although you'll need multiple treatments instead of just one to achieve results. Non-surgical body contouring techniques also take some time to take effect.

3. Types of Non-Surgical Body Contouring

Once you opt for non-surgical body contouring, you must still choose from several available approaches. Examples include laser therapy, injections that destroy fat cells, a combination of heat and ultrasound energy known as radiofrequency lipolysis, and cryolipolysis or CoolSculpting treatment that destroys fat cells with extreme cold.

4. What to Expect From Body Contouring

Whichever type of body contouring you choose, the first step involves a consultation with a plastic surgeon, who will discuss your goals with you, analyze your medical history, and instruct you on any pre-procedure steps you might need to take. This practitioner may also take pictures or even draw on the area needing treatment.

As noted above, surgical body contouring requires a recuperation period. Full healing may take months but should yield dramatic results. Following a non-surgical body sculpting treatment, you can simply return to your normal tasks with minimal discomfort. Sessions typically take less than half an hour.

A qualified cosmetic surgeon can help you decide whether you can benefit from liposuction, CoolSculpting services, or some other body contouring procedure. Schedule a consultation so you can make the right decisions and then get to work on the new you.