Which Method Is Best For A Better Physique?
Most people want to look great in outfits with a smooth silhouette that doesn’t require body-shaping undergarments. Sometimes though, stubborn body fat can make traditional non-medical options like weight loss and exercise ineffective. In the above scenarios, some people turn to proven methods that rely on plastic surgery. Two of the most common options include body contouring and liposuction. But what makes the procedures different?
Invasive vs non-invasive
For people who are leery about the word surgery in the phrase plastic surgery, liposuction can seem like a non-starter. Liposuction is considered a more aggressive way to target trouble areas on the body. Unlike body contouring procedures, liposuction is classified as surgery. During the process, excess fat is removed from the body by using a suction technique. However, keep in mind that liposuction is not a whole-body fat removal solution. Instead, the process is designed to target specific areas of the body. In contrast, body contouring is nonsurgical and requires no anesthesia or recovery time.
Liposuction can come with more discomfort
Liposuction is considered more aggressive between the two fat removal methods. So, immediately after the surgery and in the following days, patients will experience pain that can include soreness, swelling, and bruising. In contrast, body contouring tends to have minimal discomfort associated with the procedure during and after completion.
Body contouring may require multiple visits
Whereas liposuction removes all targeted fat in a single procedure, body contouring may require multiple visits. Typically, a body contouring session lasts for roughly an hour. Depending on how much fat is being targeted, people may need to schedule several sessions.
Liposuction results appear faster
Although liposuction is more invasive and comes with a recovery period, patients tend to see results faster after the healing period has been completed. In contrast, results from body contouring take longer to appear. Keep in mind that often multiple sessions are required. Then, after the last session, most experts agree that the final results appear within the following 3 months.
Not everyone is a good candidate for body contouring
Body contouring isn’t intended to target widespread fat. In reality, the most common areas treated through body contouring include the abdominal area and the outer thighs. And depending on the body contouring procedure requested, experts may note that the procedure isn’t ideal for people seeking a simple solution to losing significant weight. Instead, body contouring is recommended as a final step in a weight loss plan to target small pockets of stubborn fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise.
Choosing between liposuction and body contouring
Choosing between liposuction or body contouring requires having a frank discussion with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess a person’s situation and make the best recommendation to meet overall goals. People targeting widespread fat deposits are ideal candidates for liposuction while body contouring is best reserved for people trying to remove small areas of fat. For more information about liposuction and body contouring, speak with a plastic surgeon.