Nonsurgical body contouring, or nonsurgical fat reduction, is a procedure designed to help reshape and define the body without the risks, recovery time, or cost of surgery.“If you are close to your ideal weight but struggling with stubborn pockets of fat that won’t budge no matter how much you diet or exercise, you should know that you are not alone. It is one of the reasons many people turn to nonsurgical body contouring,” says Texas-based plastic surgeon Matthew H. Steele, MD.
A trusted practice like Matthew H. Steele, MD, can help you explore the right treatment for your goals. This article explains nonsurgical body contouring, the available treatment options, how each treatment works, and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
Understanding What Nonsurgical Contouring Is
Nonsurgical body contouring is a set of procedures designed to eliminate stubborn fat deposits. They are either minimally invasive or noninvasive. If you are trying to lose a ton of weight, then this procedure is probably not for you.
They are designed to target fat in specific areas that do not respond well to traditional weight loss efforts, such as exercising. The ideal body mass index (BMI) for a nonsurgical contouring candidate is under 30.
How Nonsurgical Contouring Works
There are four primary techniques used in nonsurgical body contouring. Each uses a different approach to break down and remove fat cells from your body:
Cryolipolysis
This is one of the most popular noninvasive procedures. It involves freezing fat cells to the point of destruction. To achieve this, the physician applies cold temperatures to targeted areas using a specialized applicator.
During this procedure, the physician ensures that the surrounding tissues, including skin, muscles, and nerves, are not harmed. Afterward, the body naturally releases these cells over time. It could take weeks to see noticeable changes.
The treatment areas typically include the abdomen, thighs, flanks, arms, back, bra bulge, under the buttocks, and double chin. The procedure may take 30 to 60 minutes per treatment area.
Laser Lipolysis
Laser Lipolysis is an FDA-approved, noninvasive treatment. This treatment uses laser energy to heat and destroy fat cells without damaging surrounding skin or tissue. During the procedure, the laser’s heat raises the temperature of fat cells to the point where they break down. Then, your body will expel them within three months.
The laser lipolysis treatment area typically includes the abdomen and flanks. Each treatment session lasts about 25 minutes. You may need to repeat the procedure to achieve your desired outcome.
Radiofrequency Lipolysis
This procedure uses ultrasound and heat to damage fat cells. It is more gentle and noninvasive than the rest. UltraShape and BTL Vanquish ME are two well-known FDA-cleared technologies in this category.
The physician uses the tool to deliver high-frequency energy to the fat layer beneath the skin. This raises the temperature and disrupts fat cells, which the body naturally flushes out.
According to the FDA, patients should always confirm that body contouring devices have received proper regulatory clearance before undergoing treatment. Medical practitioners usually treat the flanks and abdomen. Also, each session for each area takes about one hour. It is common to require several sessions, spaced out over a few weeks.
Injection Lipolysis
This procedure categorically aims to reduce fat under the chin. It entails using synthetic deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in breaking down fat.
Once injected, the solution targets and dissolves fat cells in the area. The body then gradually flushes out the fat through natural metabolic processes.
This procedure takes around thirty minutes per session. For complete results, you may need two to six treatments. Swelling and bruising are common side effects, but there is little overall downtime.
How Nonsurgical Body Contouring Compares to Liposuction
There is no doubt that liposuction is a highly effective fat-removal surgery. However, the problem is that the procedure comes with increased risk due to its invasive nature. These include anesthesia-related risks, infection, bleeding or fluid accumulation, nerve or tissue damage, blood clots, or pulmonary issues.
On the other hand, nonsurgical body contouring has significantly fewer risks. It requires no anesthesia or incisions and allows for a much faster recovery.
It is also budget-friendly. In 2016, the average cost of surgical liposuction was about $3,200, significantly more than that of most noninvasive methods.
How to Know if You Are an Ideal Candidate
As mentioned earlier, these procedures are not suitable for everyone. You are likely an ideal candidate if your BMI is under 30. You also need to be in good physical and mental health, have localized fat that is resistant to exercise or diet, understand that results are subtle, not dramatic, and can commit to multiple sessions.
An important point is that you should consult a licensed provider, such as a board-certified plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or trained aesthetician. They can assess your goals and help determine which method best suits your needs.
Conclusion
Nonsurgical body contouring offers a safe and effective way to shape and refine your body without surgery. These procedures provide an option with fewer risks and less downtime. However, do not forget to speak to a qualified professional to explore your options and design a plan that works for you if you are considering treatment.
