By Maakan Taghizadeh, MD
Whether you’re looking to regain your pre-pregnancy body or simply want to feel more comfortable in your skin, body contouring can be a powerful tool in your aesthetic arsenal. The first step is visualizing your goals. The second step is asking the right questions to help you choose the right procedure. Fortunately, the U Plastic Surgery + Aesthetics team has put together our top 5 questions to ask when considering body contouring, so you can be ready for whatever consultation brings you.
#1: What is body contouring?
It’s always best to start with the basics, and understanding how body contouring works should be your first step. Body contouring generally refers to a suite of procedures that refine and enhance your body’s natural shape. By addressing sagging tissues and limiting excess pockets of localized fat, these procedures work in harmony to define the contours of your body and reveal a more flattering and confident you.
#2: What are the different types of body contouring procedures?
Body contouring is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. Tag offers a variety of aesthetic procedures to sculpt different parts of the body, and our most popular treatments include:
- Tummy Tuck: This procedure is all about creating a flatter, firmer abdominal area. Dr. Tag helps patients get a more toned and defined midsection by removing excess fat and skin from the abdomen.
- Liposuction: Liposuction is a highly versatile procedure that suctions excess fat cells practically anywhere on your body. It’s a targeted approach to fat removal, allowing for highly-precise body sculpting.
- Mommy Makeover: Pregnancy can bring about significant changes to a woman’s body, but this comprehensive approach to rejuvenating your post-pregnancy body includes a custom set of procedures, developed in consultation with Dr. Tag, to tone, tighten, or enhance your areas of concern.
Each of these procedures plays a unique role in the body contouring process, and they can all be adapted to meet your specific needs and goals.
#3: Am I a good candidate for body contouring?
During your consultation with Dr. Tag, you’ll discuss your health history, goals, and expectations to discover if you’re a good candidate for any of our body contouring treatments. Here are a few things to consider ahead of your consultation:
- Realistic Expectations: Understanding what body contouring can and cannot achieve is important. While it can significantly enhance your appearance, having a realistic outlook will lead to greater satisfaction with your results.
- Non-smokers or Willing to Quit: Smoking can complicate your procedure and recovery. If you’re a smoker, you must quit weeks before your surgery to ensure optimal healing and results.
- Good Overall Health: Body contouring is a surgical procedure, so you need to be healthy enough to undergo an operation. Any significant medical conditions should be well-managed and disclosed to your medical team at your consultation.
- Stable Weight: Although body contouring is popular after significant weight loss, it is not a weight-loss solution in and of itself. Ideal candidates should already be at or near their target weight, which has been stable for some time.
Remember, these are general guidelines. A personal consultation with Dr. Tag is the best way to determine whether you’re a good fit for treatment.
#4: What should I expect during my consultation?
Your U Plastic Surgery + Aesthetics consultation allows you to discuss your aesthetic goals, ask questions, and understand what body contouring can do for you. Here’s what you can expect:
- Open Dialogue: Dr. Tag believes in the power of communication. He’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and provide honest feedback about your aesthetic goals. This is your time to express what you hope to achieve with body contouring so that you can find the success you’re looking for.
- Physical Assessment: Dr. Tag will conduct a physical examination to assess your body’s current state. This helps him understand your unique anatomy and determine the most effective approach to achieve your desired results.
- Procedure Explanation: When you visit our office, we’ll explain the body contouring procedures that are most suitable for you. Dr. Tag will discuss what happens during the surgery, his techniques, and the results you can expect.
- Personalized Plan: Dr. Tag will develop a personalized body contouring plan based on your goals and his assessment. This plan will outline the recommended procedures, outcomes, and recovery process you can expect before moving forward.
The best way to ensure you get the outcome you’ve always wanted is to take advantage of your consultation by asking questions and discussing your goals with Dr. Tag.
#5: What is the recovery process like?
The recovery process is an essential part of your body contouring journey. Understanding what lies ahead will help you make the most informed decision possible regarding your treatment journey. Your recovery process includes the following:
- Post-Operative Care: Dr. Tag will give you detailed instructions for your post-operative care after the procedure. This may include how to manage discomfort, care for the surgical site, and signs of complications to watch for, so following these instructions is crucial for optimal healing and results.
- Downtime: The downtime varies depending on the specific procedures performed, but you should generally expect to take some time off work and daily activities to rest and recover.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Tag are important to monitor your healing progress. These visits allow Dr. Tag to ensure everything is healing as expected and address any concerns you may have.
- Long-Term Results: Remember, the results of body contouring are not immediate. As your body heals and the swelling subsides, the full effects of your procedure will gradually become apparent, so patience is key during this time.
Recovery is a journey, not a destination. It’s important to give your body the time it needs to heal and reveal the beautiful results of your body contouring procedure.
Your Best U Is Just a Consultation Away
Revealing your best self is easy with the U Plastic Surgery + Aesthetics team because it’s not just about removing what’s unwanted; it’s also about accentuating what’s already beautiful. With the combined experience of over 8,000 completed procedures, Dr. Tag is your Baltimore-area expert in plastic surgery for achieving your goals no matter what they are. If you’re ready to start, schedule your consultation with our team today!
