Body contouring has recently become one of the most desirable trends in the plastic surgery industry, that field which becomes no longer limited to reconstructive issues, repairing or replacing damaged or lost parts of the body, but people now optionally perform plastic surgeries to achieve an ideal appearance and a perfect look.
How to start?
Of course, you had moments you thought about reaching an ideal look and having a sculpted slim body. To know what is the first step to reaching your dream, you should find the answers to some questions. What are the requirements you need to achieve this goal? Which technique fits your goal? And who is licensed to perform?
Throughout this article, we will help you put your foot on the first path to achieve this dream.
What is body contouring?
Simply, body contouring is a medical procedure that aims to reshape or contours an area of the body by eliminating the excess fat deposits under the skin that are hard to lose through exercise and a healthy diet and getting rid of extra skin, revealing a slim sculpted appearance.
How is body contouring achieved?
Contouring your body is achieved through invasive, minimally invasive, or noninvasive procedures. Each procedure has its pros and cons, you should be informed of all details related to the risks and outcomes of each technique to make the right decision that fits your goal.
What is liposuction?
Liposuction is the invasive type of body contouring which is a cosmetic procedure used to remove unwanted fat deposits under the skin from a selected body area through an incision performed through which fat layers are destroyed using various techniques and suctioned out the body.
What is body sculpting?
Body sculpting is the non- or minimally-invasive type of body contouring, through which, the stubborn fat layers are destroyed or emulsified by applying various techniques on the intact skin then the body will get rid of the destroyed fat cells.
Liposuction vs body sculpting
Each technique has its pros and cons, and according to the amount of fat you are targeted to lose, your health status, and your medical history, you choose the right technique that fits your goal.
There is no perfect technique but there is a technique that fits your target, and the major differences between the two techniques are;
The procedure
In body sculpting special devices are applied directly or at a distance of 1 centimeter from the intact skin to destroy fat deposits under the skin through freezing, ultrasound waves, or energy produced by a laser beam.
While in liposuction, a series of small incisions are performed around a selected area then a thin tube is used to destroy the fat layers and then they are vacuumed out.
Safety
Body sculpting is a non-invasive body contouring procedure carrying minimum risks and side effects that usually do not exceed bruising, redness, and pain and all usually resolve within a week.
On the other hand, liposuction is an invasive surgery carrying out more risks and side effects that can include anesthesia reactions, blood clots, and infection, and all can be managed by the surgeon’s strategy.
Recovery period
Non Invasive body contouring procedures do not require a recovery period; you can resume your daily routines on the same day. While liposuction requires about a week to recover.
Time to see the result
It takes a few weeks to notice the outcomes of the body sculpting, while liposuction outcomes are noticed immediately after the procedure.
Effectiveness and results
Less dramatic changes are associated with body sculpting since it can eliminate from 20 to 25 percent of fat cells in a selected area.
Liposuction is associated with more dramatic changes since it can remove up to 80 percent of the fat cells in a certain area and It can remove from 5 to 8 liters of body fat.
Number of procedures needed
You need a few sessions of about one hour for each session to achieve your goal with body sculpting, while you achieve your target after only one procedure with liposuction.
Which type of body contouring fits my goals?
Amount of fats you need to lose, and either dramatic or less dramatic changes you need.
- Number of areas in your body you want to contour.
- Your health status, and your medical history.
- Your affordability.
You select the best procedure that fits you.
Who is authorized to perform body contouring?
It depends on the technique used to reach a contoured body. Liposuction should be performed by a licensed plastic surgeon. General surgeons even with good basic surgical training are not skilled to do liposuction.
On the other hand, noninvasive body contouring might be performed by anyone trained to use the devices under the supervision of a physician, or dermatologist.
Why is it important to perform body contouring by a licensed medical specialist?
Body contouring directly affects living tissue, so from a legal standpoint, it is considered a medical treatment that requires accurate patient examination and patient history recording, and it must be performed by a licensed medical facility by a licensed technician who is properly trained and highly skilled.
What kind of qualifications are required by liposuction surgeons?
Not all cosmetic surgeons are experts in performing liposuction. An expert in performing certain types of body contouring like facelifts, or arm lifts may not be an expert in performing liposuction.
In-depth training in the techniques used, minimizing the risk of infection, training, and knowledge of the pharmacological details associated with tumescent local anesthesia, in addition to an acceptable number of successful liposuction patients treated, are the minimum acceptable qualifications plastic surgeons need to perform liposuction.
Who can perform body sculpting?
Nurses, physician assistants, aestheticians, massage therapists, or anyone who has been trained by the device manufacturing companies can perform the procedure under the supervision of a physician or a dermatologist that are well trained in dealing with possible adverse reactions and sensitivities. And that should be done in licensed clinics or facilities.
Finally
Body contouring is an elective step in your life that dramatically affects your appearance, so take your time, define your goals, and set your priorities to put yourself on the first step in the right way.
