The Rise In Body Contouring
Exercise and a healthy diet have become the cornerstone of reshaping the body. However, this approach is often not enough to achieve the desired results. Some people need additional help, and body contouring procedures have become a practical option. There are different surgical and non-surgical forms of body contouring, with liposuction and fat grafting the most popular. Surgeons perform well over 250,000 procedures like liposuction yearly. People often get confused about how body contouring procedures differ. Choosing the right approach ensures the most optimal results.
What is liposuction?
Fat deposits can form in the arms, abdomen, hips, and flanks. Some fat deposits develop and stay despite attempts to improve the area with a healthy lifestyle and exercise. Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes stubborn pockets of fat. Common treatment areas include the arms, hips, abdomen, and buttocks. With the patient under anesthesia, the procedure involves making small incisions in strategic areas and inserting a long, thin tube called a cannula connected to a vacuum-like device. The device is turned on, and the doctor carefully moves the cannula to suck up the unwanted pockets of fat, resulting in a lovely, contoured shape. The surgeon will then close the incisions to complete the procedure.
Understanding fat grafting
In some cases, removing the fat via liposuction can cause the opposite effect. In other words, the patient might not receive body contouring from liposuction alone. Fat grafting is an innovative procedure that solves this problem. This surgical method transfers fat from a problem area to a deficient area, achieving true body contouring. The procedure is a 2-step process. The surgeon makes incisions and removes excess fat from specific areas, similar to liposuction. The fat samples are then treated and injected into other areas of the body with a small cannula. The surgeon carefully injects the fat in layers so the skin appears smooth and the area symmetrical.
Key differences in procedures
Liposuction aims to achieve body contouring by simply removing excess fat from unwanted areas. On the other hand, fat grafting creates a contoured look by augmenting specific parts of the body. While liposuction removes fat from specific regions, fat grafting enhances areas that lack volume or size based on patient preferences. The results also play a role in differentiating the surgeries. Liposuction shows almost immediate results, with patients returning to activities in 1-2 weeks. Fat grafting requires a longer recovery time to allow the fat to settle. Some fat also gets absorbed in the process, which can impact long-term outcomes. However, fat grafting is excellent for people with a healthy lifestyle.
Choosing the right contour
Deciding whether to proceed with liposuction or fat grafting can be difficult. However, some factors can help individuals choose the best option. Desired results and body goals play a significant role in choosing the correct procedure. For example, some patients simply need to remove stubborn fat after pregnancy. Other individuals want a complete transformation to enhance specific areas like the thighs, hips, or buttocks. Other factors include the patient’s health, lifestyle, budget, and time available for recovery. A qualified, experienced surgeon will help the patient make the best choice.
Enjoy the new you
Body contouring is not a solution for obesity or excessive weight gain. For liposuction, the best candidates are those with pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise. These patients should also have optimal health, with firm, tight skin that will adapt well to the procedure. The same requirements apply to fat grafting, but people who select this procedure should want to lose volume in some areas and enhance others. Overall, body contouring is growing in safety, speed, and effectiveness. Both fat grafting and liposuction are excellent options for people expecting realistic but long-term results.
