When you imagine working your way to a tight, toned stomach, does your mind immediately jump to a marathon of crunches? While exercise is an important element of your journey toward getting beach-ready abs, it’s not always the final step. If you’ve been working up a sweat in the gym but haven’t been quite able to achieve 100% of your fitness goals, a surgical or nonsurgical body contouring procedure could be the last piece of the tummy-tightening puzzle.
The best cosmetic surgery or nonsurgical treatment for you will depend on your specific body sculpting goals, though these four options are some of the most common and effective.
1. Tummy Tuck
When loose skin or separated abdominal muscles are a concern, a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, could be a suitable solution. During a traditional tummy tuck procedure, your cosmetic surgeon can tighten and/or repair muscle tissue and remove excess skin to achieve a slimmer physique. While a traditional tummy tuck doesn’t necessarily include liposuction, many men and women choose to add it to their procedure to address stubborn fat at the same time.
Another popular abdominoplasty option is a technique called the Avelar tummy tuck. This tummy sculpting technique is less invasive than a traditional tummy tuck, does not require surgical or post-surgical drains and utilizes a shorter incision. The Avelar tummy tuck technique also includes liposuction.
The Avelar tummy tuck could be right for you if you’re looking to tighten and tone your tummy and waist with a shorter and less complicated recovery. However, men and women with a significant amount of excess skin or separated muscle tissue may see the best results with a traditional tummy tuck.
2. Liposuction
If you’re having trouble getting rid of stubborn fat in areas like your tummy, hips, thighs or upper arms despite exercising and eating a healthy diet, liposuction could be the extra help you need to tighten and tone. During your liposuction procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will create small incisions through which a hollow tube called a cannula can be inserted. Excess fat in the targeted area(s) is removed through the tube and the incisions are sutured.
On its own, liposuction only addresses areas of stubborn fat and does not tighten your skin. However, this can be the perfect option for anyone who is looking to get rid of pesky love handles or other trouble areas without a more extensive procedure like a tummy tuck.
3. Mommy Makeover
For many women, stubborn fat, stretched skin or separated abdominal muscles can be challenges that stand in the way of getting their pre-baby bodies back. A mommy makeover is a cosmetic procedure that combines multiple cosmetic surgeries in order to achieve your unique goals. Some of the most common procedures to include in a mommy makeover are a tummy tuck, liposuction and breast procedures such as a lift, augmentation or reduction.
Though it’s called a mommy makeover, moms aren’t the only ones who can benefit from this tummy-sculpting procedure. If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight and are now looking to add those final touches to your fitness results, a combination procedure like a mommy makeover could be right for you.
4. Nonsurgical CoolTone®
If you need a little help getting the tight, toned abs you want without commiting to surgery and the accompanying recovery time, nonsurgical CoolTone® could be just the ticket. CoolTone by CoolSculpting® is a revolutionary body contouring treatment tones underlying abdominal, buttock and thigh muscle tissue from the outside in.
CoolTone uses Active Magnetic Pulse™ (AMP™) technology to deliver targeted magnetic pulses to your muscles, stimulating muscle contractions to tighten, tone and firm the treated area. This type of muscle contraction would not be possible through exercise alone. Thus, you can achieve enhanced results by pairing an excellent fitness regimen with CoolTone for an added boost of tightening and toning power.
Why Exercise and Body Contouring Are the Perfect Pair
No matter which body contouring treatment(s) you choose, exercise and healthy eating habits are a must for optimal results. Keep in mind that these treatments aren’t meant to stand in for traditional weight loss methods like diet and exercise, so don’t cancel your gym membership. Instead, these treatments work best when paired with a healthy workout routine to help you take your results in the gym to the next level.
Maintaining those excellent eating and exercise habits well after your tummy tuck or other body contouring procedure will help you to enjoy long-lasting results for years to come.
Dr. Joseph J. Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. During medical school and his 5 years of training in General Surgery, Dr. Castellano developed a strong interest in Cosmetic Surgery. He followed his residency training with an elective year of specialized training with the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. From 2010-2011, he completed a fellowship in Indiana focused entirely of cosmetic surgery of the face and body. During his fellowship, he received specialized training in facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, and body contouring. Dr. Castellano received his board certification from the American College of Surgeons in 2010.
Dr. Castellano focuses on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. Additionally, he operates on numerous skin cancers, scar revisions, spider veins, and specializes in the management of aging skin with chemical peels and laser resurfacing.
Request a consultation to meet with Dr. Castellano and learn more about all his practice has to offer.
