Weight loss is one of the healthiest things you can do. It reduces your risk for myriad diseases and conditions. These include heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

People who have experienced significant weight loss often face another challenge: excessive skin. In some cases, there may also be difficulty getting rid of stubborn fat deposits in different areas of the body. This is where surgical and non-surgical body contouring comes in.

There are advantages to each, as well as a few drawbacks. This article covers common surgical and non-surgical body contouring procedures and the pros and cons of them. Keep reading to find out which may be the best option for you.

What Is Body Contouring?

Body contouring is a procedure that improves the appearance of skin and body tissue. It is sometimes referred to as “body sculpting.”

It is often performed on people who have undergone major weight loss. There are many different types of body contouring, and new technologies and innovations are emerging every day.

Surgical Body Contouring

Historically, surgical body contouring was the only available option. It is still widely used today. Common procedures include liposuction, abdominoplasty, and panniculectomy.

Liposuction is the most common cosmetic procedure performed in the world today. It uses lasers or suction devices to remove fat deposits that will not go away on their own.

Abdominoplasty is what many people refer to as a “tummy tuck.” The procedure involves removing excess skin and/or tightening muscles in different areas of the abdomen.

A panniculectomy is a similar procedure used for lower abdominal wall contouring. It is suggested for people who have excess hanging layers of skin in the abdomen region.

Other surgical interventions include breast rejuvenation and augmentation. These include breast lifts and reductions. Arm, inner thigh, and buttock lifts also are common contouring options that involve surgery.

Surgical body contouring techniques can be very effective. However, they are more invasive and almost always demand the use of anesthesia. For this reason, recovery times can be quite long.

They also are more expensive than non-surgical options. The cost can be a barrier for some, especially if your insurance deems the procedures merely “cosmetic.”

Non-surgical Body Contouring

One of the biggest advantages of non-surgical body contouring is that it is less invasive. This means they involve much less discomfort, downtime, and risks.

CoolSculpting, for instance, is a technology developed by Harvard scientists. It uses cooling to target fat cells, which crystallize and disappear.

The procedure is very precise, so there is no danger of it harming surrounding tissue. It also is suitable for most areas of the body. These include the abdomen, chin, arms, bra line, back, thighs, legs, and others.

Another procedure called Emsculpt uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate muscles. A single, 30-minute Emsculpti session can produce upwards of 20,000 contractions. This encourages muscle development but also the release of fatty acids, which produces rapid fat burning.

Neither of these procedures requires anesthesia, and recovery is very brief. Also, side effects are minimal and easily controlled. They include minor discomforts like muscle spasms.

The flip side is that non-surgical procedures cannot offer the type of immediate, dramatic results as surgical ones. However, they can often achieve comparable outcomes over time without the need for expensive, invasive interventions.

Find Body Contouring Services Near You

Now that you understand the pros and cons of surgical vs. non-surgical body contouring, you can determine which is best for you. With so many self-care options, you can find a procedure that fits your budget, lifestyle, and health goals.

At Figura, our specialists are master certified in body contouring. We offer CoolSculpting and Emsculpt services and packages that can help keep the cost of individual treatments down. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.