Best Body Contouring Procedures After Weight Loss

At some point, most of us have battled excess weight. Some people may have a few more pounds to shed than others, but we all know that it can be pretty difficult getting your body back to the way it was prior to gaining weight.

Still, losing a large amount of weight (think 100 pounds or more) as a result of weight loss surgery or diet and exercise is a major accomplishment–just think about how much you’ve improved your overall health and appearance.

And since losing weight is such a momentous accomplishment, it’s worth it to make sure your body looks its best afterward. Many people who have lost significant weight may be left with large amounts of heavy, loose folds of skin around the abdomen, arms, thighs, breasts, buttocks, and face. Skin can sag and lose elasticity as a result of being stretched for a long period of time. After significant weight loss, the skin often fails to shrink back to its former size and shape.

And there are more problems besides, including more pronounced cellulite, uneven fat distribution and problem areas such as saddlebags.  If you’re experiencing issues such as these after weight loss, then you might want to consider having a body contouring procedure done.

Is Body Contouring Right for You?

Good question. Before undergoing any sort of body contouring procedure, you want to make sure that your weight has been stable for at least a year. If you’re undergoing a drastic body contouring procedure, like a tummy tuck or breast lift, then you should wait approximately two years following the start of any significant weight loss program. This period of rest allows the skin to shrink as much as possible and your nutrition to stabilize and reach optimal conditions.

You should also be in good health prior to any procedure. Make sure too to have reasonable expectations. It may be impossible to restore the skin or body to what it would’ve been without the weight gain or to what it was in your teens or 20s. Even after body contouring procedures, skin continues to sag over time as part of the normal aging process.

The Most Popular Body Contouring Procedures

There are several different types of body contouring procedures, both invasive and non-invasive. Which one you choose will depend on the severity of your issue as well as on your desired outcome. Read on to discover the most sought after and highly effective procedures.

Thermage

Thermage is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to kick start the body’s natural renewal process.  It can help improve the appearance of sagging or loose skin, giving you a smoother, sleeker and younger look and feel. Thermage is especially effective on unwanted bulges and dimples, and it works wonders on cellulite. All it takes is one treatment to deliver natural-looking results.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a more traditional approach to body contouring. It flattens the abdomen by removing extra fat and skin and tightens muscles in the abdominal wall. Because a tummy tuck is an invasive procedure, recovery time takes anywhere from two to four weeks. There’s also a higher risk of complications, including infection, numbness, wound separation, and asymmetry. A tummy tuck should be the last resort for people who have exhausted all other measures, and the procedure should not be used as an alternative to weight loss.

VelaShape

VelaShape is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that combines bi-polar radiofrequency and infrared light energy with vacuum and mechanical massage. It is the only FDA-cleared device that effectively and safely contours, shapes and slims the body by reducing cellulite and firming problem areas in as little as four treatments. Most patients see gradual and cumulative results throughout the treatment regime, including gradual smoothing of the skin’s surface with a noticeable reduction in cellulite. They also notice a circumferential reduction with noticeable reshaping of the treated area.  Because VelaShape is non-invasive, there’s no recovery time involved.

CoolSculpting

If you’ve already lost all your weight but still have stubborn fat deposits, then CoolSculpt may be right for you. CoolSculpting targets fat cells alone, eliminating them without causing undue harm. It is FDA-cleared for love handles, abdomen and thighs, and is proven to be a safe and effective treatment to reduce unwanted fat.

Best of all, because CoolSculpting is non-invasive, there’s virtually no recovery time involved. Patients start to see changes as quickly as three weeks after their treatment, but most people will experience dramatic results after two months. The body still continues to flush out fat cells and will continue doing so for up to four-to-six months after treatment.

SmartLipo

SmartLipo laser liposuction body contouring is a minimally-invasive fat removal and skin tightening treatment that is performed with local anesthesia. Depending on the area being treated, it can be performed in less than an hour. SmartLipo promotes skin tightening through thermal heating and tissue coagulation–something traditional liposuction can’t do. This allows individuals who previously were not ideal candidates for conventional liposuction to have a body contouring treatment with the added benefit of skin tightening. For most people, only one treatment is required.

Breast Lift

A breast lift raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If larger breasts are desired, a breast lift with implants can be performed. Because this is a more traditional procedure, recovery time generally takes anywhere from two to four weeks. There’s also a higher risk of complications, including infection, tissue death, and changes in sensation.

Silhouette Lift

The Silhouette Lift is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive technique used to lift and tighten sagging tissue in the mid to lower face. It can also be used to tighten sagging skin on the neck and jowls. An outpatient procedure, the Silhouette Lift uses non-absorbable polypropylene strand sutures that have the ability to be retightened after a few years to provide extended longevity to the facelift. Unlike a traditional facelift, the Silhouette Lift takes about one hour to perform with virtually no downtime.

Upper Arm Lift

If you want to improve your arms’ shape and contour, consider an arm lift. This surgical procedure removes fat and excess skin hanging from the upper arm. For people who have had a dramatic weight loss, or who simply want their arms to look shapely, an arm lift can help. Because this is a traditional surgical procedure, most patients develop large scars on the inner and back parts of their arm. These fade somewhat over time with the aid of scar creams, massage, and silicone tape. The initial recovery from surgery is about 10 to 14 days. Complete recovery happens only after four to six weeks. The incisions can take up to one year to fully heal. Diet and strength exercises can help prolong and enhance results.

Arasys Body Slimming Treatment

The Arasys body slimming treatment is designed to speed muscle building and inch loss in the fraction of the time needed at the gym. Results are equivalent to and last as long as strenuous exercise. Arasys is FDA-approved and uses unique faradic waveform technology to obtain desired muscles and burn fat. It can help you tone up flabby thighs, hips, and buttocks. Arasys is so effective that most people lose between two and eight inches with every 25-minute session. Best of all, Arasys is painless and non-invasive, and it requires no recovery time.

Do you want to get your body back to looking how it once did? Then visit your local LaserAway. We’re proud to offer the most medical spa service options of any national skincare provider. We hire only the most highly trained staff experienced and certified in administering laser and other dermatological procedures. What’s more, we use only innovative techniques and cutting-edge laser technology. Want to learn more about Thermage or VelaShape?  Then schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today by emailing LaserAway.net or calling the staff at LaserAway at (888) 965-2737. LaserAway looks forward to helping you slim and tone your body.