Body contouring procedures are among the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures that are available nowadays. Unfortunately, this popularity has also come with several misconceptions about what body contouring can help patients achieve. Dr. Leverett and his medical team want to break down how body contouring can best benefit you, so you can get a better idea of what you can expect from your treatment.
Body Contouring Treatments vs. Weight Loss Programs
The media and magazines often portray body sculpting treatments like liposuction as weight-loss solutions. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, all body contouring treatments should be viewed as a supplement to an already healthy diet and active lifestyle rather than the other way around. Procedures like a tummy tuck and liposuction won’t be able to provide patients with the weight-loss results they desire because they are meant to be performed once weight loss has been achieved to contour the remaining tissues. For that reason, we typically recommend patients consider one of our medically supervised weight loss programs to help them prepare for their body contouring procedure if they are too far from their ideal weight goal. This weight loss program is designed to help patients achieve their desired weight through a personalized nutrition and exercise plan over time.
Ideal Candidates for Body Contouring
Ideal candidates for body contouring procedures have a BMI under 30 and are within 30lbs of their ultimate goal weight. We always recommend patients be near their goal weight for three reasons:
- We want to ensure the patient’s ultimate weight can be maintained long-term. This ensures the patient’s body contouring results will be maintained for the long term as well.
- A patient achieving their ultimate goal weight allows Dr. Leverett to achieve a better result for the body contouring procedure and remove more loose skin from the midsection.
- We want to reduce the risks of complications that may occur if a patient has a higher weight loss goal or BMI range. Should the procedure be carried out before the patient is ready weight-wise, the results of their procedure may be interrupted by weight gain following recovery or complications throughout the healing process. Some of these risks include blood clots, fluid accumulation, and asymmetry.
Choosing the Right Body Contouring Treatment for You
When it comes to body contouring, we find our three most popular procedures include the following:
● Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a surgical cosmetic procedure that aims to reduce the amount of excess skin around the abdomen and tighten the core muscles. This results in a flat, tight tummy with a discrete scar under the bikini line.
● Panniculectomy
A panniculectomy is a surgical cosmetic procedure that often gets confused with the tummy tuck. This procedure, however, aims to remove loose skin from the upper pubic area to further enhance the abdominal region. A panniculectomy may flatten the tummy area, but will not address loose or stretched core muscles the way a traditional tummy tuck does.
● Belt Lipectomy
A belt lipectomy is a surgical cosmetic procedure that reduces excess skin and stubborn pockets of fat from the abdominal areas and lower back. This procedure is ideal for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight either on their own or following a weight-loss procedure. Not only does this procedure tighten the midsection like a tummy tuck, but it also helps contour the thighs and buttocks regions for the ultimate contoured appearance.
● Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical cosmetic procedure that removes unwanted stubborn pockets of fat from targeted areas of the body. While liposuction can be performed alone, it is often combined with procedures like the tummy tuck and panniculectomy for ultimate results.
If you’re interested in learning more about whether you’re a good candidate for body contouring, we encourage you to contact us and schedule a private consultation with Dr. Larry Leverett today. For your convenience, we are also happy to offer virtual consultations that allow you to get your questions answered in the comfort of your home.