According to a 2018 report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) on cosmetic procedures, body contouring treatments had increased by 6% compared to 2017. The report also revealed an upsurge of non-invasive procedures. This inclination is likely due to the benefits of non-surgical procedures, specifically body contouring. These benefits include a lack of scarring, less downtime, and minimal to no side effects. If you are thinking of trying body contouring in Denver, you should reach out to a skilled surgeon such as Dr. Eric Barker and his team at the Peak Plastic Surgery Center.
There are currently five FDA-approved body contouring procedures. Read on to learn about each procedure, what to expect, recovery, as well as the potential risks.
Cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis is a body contouring procedure that uses controlled cooling to target the stubborn fat pockets without damaging the surrounding skin or nerves. This method is suitable for different body parts such as the abdomen, buttocks, and bra fat.
What to expect: The surgeon will use a cryolipolysis device to suction the targeted fat, which is then frozen using two cooling panels. The session takes about an hour with cooling at -10oC. Patients might experience a bit of tingling and pain, which will reduce after ten minutes.
Once complete, patients should expect mild pain, bruising, and temporary sensory changes. This will typically resolve after a few days or at most weeks. A patient will require several treatments to obtain the desired results. Those with the ideal weight may only require three treatments.
Results will start showing after a few weeks, however final results will be noticeable after six months. After that, the results are permanent. This procedure is not recommended for people who are obese or have undergone abdominal hernia surgery.
Laser Body Contouring
Laser contouring involves the use of heat from a laser device, set at a specific wavelength to destroy fat cells.
What to expect: The surgeon may either use the low-level or the 1060-nm diode laser. The average duration of the procedure is 30 minutes. Anything beyond half an hour creates a high risk of damage to the dermis.
You should expect mild pain and tenderness, which will resolve within a few weeks. Most people will require about 12 sessions, done every six weeks. This procedure should not be performed on pregnant women or people with tattoos at the targeted site.
Magnetic Resonance Contouring
This form of contouring entails the use of electromagnetic energy to create contractions within the adipose tissue hence breaking down the fat cells.
What to expect: The procedure takes about half an hour and requires four sessions over 14 days. After that, the patient should go for treatment every quarter to maintain the results. There’s minimal risk of scarring or other complications. Results will become more noticeable after three months.
Radiofrequency Body Contouring
This contouring technique also uses heat to destroy the fat cells.
What to expect: The procedure requires a heat application of about 45oC for about 30 minutes. This is then followed by cooling to protect the skin from damage. Patients should expect pain and swelling, which will resolve by the second day. Results will become noticeable after 2 to 6 months.
Ultrasound Body Contouring
This form of contouring uses ultrasound energy to coagulate the adipose tissue, which leads to fat reduction.
What to expect: The procedure takes approximately 90 minutes. However, this is mainly dependent on the body part being targeted. Patients may experience swelling and a bit of pain, which will reduce after a few hours. Patients must undergo several procedures to see satisfactory results.
If you are looking for non-invasive fat reduction methods, then body contouring is right for you. If you live in or around Denver, you should book an appointment with the team at Peak Plastic Surgery Center for both surgical and non-invasive treatments.
