Sometimes, diet and exercise aren’t enough. Many of us find that we struggle to lose weight as we get a little older, or that we can lose weight, but that our body shape still isn’t what we want. It can be hard to get the body shape that we want or to reduce signs of aging, childbirth, or other lifestyle factors. Body contouring can be a great way to get rid of excess skin, tighten specific areas, and generally get the body that you’ve been trying hard to achieve. There are several different options when it comes to body contouring, and it’s important that you learn more about them, so that you can choose the right treatment option which will help you to achieve your goals.
What is Body Contouring?
Body contouring is an umbrella term for a range of procedures that can help you to achieve your goals. There are both surgical and non-surgical options for lifting specific areas, tightening skin, or removing stubborn excess fat. Many people choose to have more than one procedure, especially if they’ve lost a lot of weight quickly, and feel self-conscious about excess skin and saggy areas.
What are the Options?
Body contouring procedures and treatments often concentrate on areas such as breasts, arms, tummy, and thighs, which are often considered problem spots. There are both surgical and non-surgical options to choose from.
Non-Surgical Body Contouring
If you are looking to refine a body that you are fairly happy with, by making small changes and improvements, instead of more dramatic changes, then non-surgical contouring options might be for you. These options target small, stubborn areas of fat that are no longer responding to diet or exercise. The main options for non-surgical body contouring are:
- Cryolipolysis
- Injection Lipolysis
- Laser Lipolysis
- Radiofrequency Lipolysis
All of these treatments work to destroy fat cells with limited side effects, no scarring, and quick recovery. You’ll typically need more than one session when using any of these methods.
Surgical Body Contouring
Surgical options have longer recovery times and can leave some incision scarring. But the results are more dramatic and are ideal for areas where your skin has lost elasticity, and so its ability to bounce back naturally. Common surgical body contouring treatments include:
- Breast Lift – Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift can remove excess skin, tighten surrounding skin, reduce, enlarge, or reshape. A breast lift can involve implants, but many women are happy with their natural size once the tissue has been lifted, tightened, or reshaped.
- Tummy Tuck – Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck works by removing excess fat and skin, as well as tightening muscles. This is a popular choice after weight loss.
- Butt Lift – Butt lifts are becoming more popular all of the time. Like a tummy tuck, a butt lift can involve the removal of excess skin and fat. But it can also involve reshaping the buttocks or adding fat that has been harvested from another area of the body for a firmer, perter appearance.
- Arm Lift – As you get older, it’s common to have loose skin under the upper arms, even if you are fairly fit and healthy and have never lost a lot of weight. This bothers many women as they see it as a sign of aging and loss of youth. An arm lift, or brachioplasty removes skin and fat from the underarm, down to the elbow, for a more defined appearance.
- Thigh Lift – A thigh lift is similar to the arm lift, but instead focuses on the fatty areas on the inner and outer thighs.
Choosing the Right Option for You
The best way to choose the right option for you is to think about your personal goals and to be honest about your problem spots. Some of us find it easier to lose weight and tone our bellies, but can’t tighten our arms, or lift our breasts with exercise alone.
Many people consider body contouring treatments for the first time following a significant event, such as pregnancy, menopause, or dramatic weight loss, which has caused obvious changes to the body. It’s often a way to improve confidence, as well as hit physical goals.
We’re all different, which is why there are so many different options available. Look at your body, think about your journey so far, and access what you have struggled with. Then, get in touch to book a consultation. This will give you a chance to share your goals and get the best advice on the right help to get you there.
Whatever your age, size, or shape, body contouring can be a fantastic way to get the body that you’ve always dreamed of, and with so many options available, there’s something to suit everyone.
