You exercise a lot and are careful about what you eat and drink, but there are some areas of your body that you just can't seem to lose, no matter how hard you try. For example, fat on your stomach, hips, and thighs. Or, when you suddenly lose weight and your skin starts to sag. Today, we're going to talk about a medical method that can help many people who face these kinds of problems.
Simply put, what is Body Contouring?
`Body Contouring` or `Body Sculpting` is not a method of losing weight. This is something that needs to be kept in mind. Simply put, it is a medical procedure that beautifully shapes and contours the body. Three main things can happen here:
- Excess skin removal: Removing sagging skin that occurs after significant weight loss or aging.
- Removing unwanted fat: Removing fat deposits in areas that cannot be reduced even with exercise.
- Body contouring: By doing the above, you are giving the relevant area of the body a beautiful, sculpted appearance.
The most important thing is that this is not something you do to lose weight, but is best suited for those who have already reached their ideal weight but are not satisfied with their body shape.
What are these body contouring methods?
These methods can be divided into two main categories: non-surgical methods and surgical methods. Let's take a look at both of these.
| Type of method | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Non-Surgical / Lipolysis | |
| Cryolipolysis (eg CoolSculpting®) | Extreme cold is used to freeze fat cells, allowing them to be naturally eliminated from the body. |
| Injection Lipolysis | A special drug (deoxycholic acid) that dissolves fat is injected into the areas where there is fat. |
| Laser Lipolysis (e.g. Zerona®) | Fat cells are destroyed using special laser beams. |
| Radiofrequency Lipolysis (eg, truSculpt®) | Ultrasound uses waves and heat to target fat cells. |
| 2. Surgical methods | |
| Lifts and Tucks | These are surgical procedures that remove excess fat and sagging skin. Examples: Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty, Facelift, Breast Lift. |
| Liposuction (Lipo) | This is the method that most people are familiar with. Here, a thin tube is used to suck out and remove the fat that has accumulated in the body. |
Why would anyone think of doing something like this?
There are several main reasons why people resort to such things.
- Beautifying your appearance: Get a slim, toned body.
- Removing stubborn fat: Remove fat from areas like the stomach, love handles, arms, thighs, and under the chin that cannot be reduced despite exercise and diet.
- Removing sagging skin: Removing sagging skin after losing a lot of weight can help give your skin a smoother, younger look. This can also be a solution to wrinkles and sagging skin that occur with aging.
What happens before treatment?
If you are considering this, the first thing you should do is meet with a qualified plastic surgeon. The doctor will discuss the following with you:
- What are your hopes?
- Your complete medical history (other illnesses, allergies, previous surgeries).
- What medications you are currently taking (even vitamins and supplements).
- About alcohol and tobacco use.
Then the doctor will examine you, measure the areas that need to be reshaped, mark them with a pen, take pictures, and explain everything about which method is right for you, what the risks are, and what the results will be. If it is a surgery, they will also talk about anesthesia. If you agree to everything, you will have to sign a consent form.
What happens during a surgical and non-surgical procedure?
The way these two methods work is very different.
If it is a surgery (e.g. Liposuction, Tummy Tuck):
These are usually done in a hospital or operating room. They can take anywhere from an hour to several hours. After anesthesia, the skin is cleaned, incisions are made where necessary, excess fat and skin are removed, and sometimes muscles are tightened (as in a tummy tuck), and the incisions are closed again with stitches and bandages.
A non-surgical method is (Lipolysis):
These can usually be done in a doctor's office (clinic). They take as little as 30-60 minutes. You will be made to lie down in a chair or bed, the skin in the affected area will be marked, and a special device (e.g. laser, cooling paddles) will be used to deliver the treatment. For best results, you may need to undergo several sessions of these treatments.
What happens after treatment? What are the risks?
The recovery time and risks after treatment vary greatly depending on the method you choose.
| Fact | Surgical | Non-Surgical Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery time | It can take from a few weeks to a few months. You will need to take almost complete rest from work. | There is no recovery time required. You can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. |
| Results | The results are visible immediately and clearly. | It can take several weeks to several months to see results. |
| Risks and complications | The risks are high. Bleeding, blood clots, infection, scarring, nerve damage, asymmetry, complications from anesthesia, and not getting the desired results can occur (but these are relatively rare). | The risk is very low. Temporary side effects such as skin redness, minor pain or swelling, and skin irritation may occur. |
When to see a doctor after surgery
If you have undergone surgery, it is very important to notify your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of infection or other complications.
- Bleeding or pus oozing from the incision site, redness, or excessive swelling.
- Fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius (100.5 Fahrenheit).
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing (in such an emergency , go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) ).
- Severe pain that is not controlled by medication.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
Take-Home Message
- ``Body Contouring`` is not a method of losing weight. It is something done to beautify the shape of the body.
- There are both surgical and non-surgical methods. Although surgery provides immediate results, it carries greater risks and recovery time.
- Before embarking on any `Body Contouring` procedure, be sure to meet with a qualified plastic surgeon and discuss the method that is right for you, its risks, costs, and results before making a decision.
- To maintain the results in the long term, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a stable body weight.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න