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Body contouring is the term for the set of cosmetic treatments that sculpt and shape your body to improve your appearance. Some trim excess fat that can remain in stubborn bulges after you’ve lost weight with diet and exercise or that may form as you age. Some tighten loose skin and weakened muscles that have stretched with weight changes or pregnancy. Some reshape parts of your body to improve your figure.

If you’re unhappy with the shape or appearance of some part of your body and aren’t getting the results you want through healthy eating and exercise habits, you might be a good candidate for body contouring. And if you’ve considered body contouring, you probably have questions about the many options.

Here are answers to some common questions about body contouring:

Can Body Contouring Help Me Lose Weight?

This may be the most common question about body contouring, and the simple answer is: not directly. Body contouring treatments are intended to sculpt and shape your body when you are reasonably close to your ideal weight. They aren’t a weight-loss method and don’t work to remove significant amounts of fat over large areas of your body. That said, many body-contouring procedures do remove fat in specific parts of your body, which can eliminate a pound or two — even several pounds — of excess flab and a half-inch to three inches from your waistline. The results can also make you feel better about your body and yourself, which, for some people, is a motivation to put on exercise clothes and be more active. In that way, body contouring can have an indirect effect on weight loss.

How do I decide which body contouring procedure is right for me?

The choice of body contouring procedure will depend on your body and your goals, as well as your willingness to have surgery with its resulting downtime.

A consultation with a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon is the best way to understand your body contouring choices and find out which will best address your needs. A combination of procedures might be the best solution for you.

How long do the results of body contouring last?

The results of body contouring are long-lasting if you maintain a steady weight. The fat cells removed with CoolSculpting or liposuction are gone from that part of your body forever, and new cells will not grow there. But fat cells in the treated area and elsewhere on your body will increase in size if you gain weight, which can undo some of the positive effects of your treatment. In much the same way, you can lose the smooth, firm abdomen you get with a tummy tuck if you gain significant weight or have more children.

To maintain your results, make healthy eating and exercise habits part of your normal routine and avoid the cycles of weight gain and loss that can result from extreme dieting.

Learn More About Body Contouring in Beverly Hills

Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery have developed an impeccable reputation for stunning, natural-looking cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery results, attracting patients from all over the world. Contact our practice today at (310) 746-5475 or send an online request to schedule a consultation.

In recent years, CoolSculpting has experienced a boom among cosmetic procedures. Increasing numbers of men and women looking for a way to get rid of stubborn fat pockets without surgery have turned to this non-invasive option. Proponents of CoolSculpting describe transformative results with virtually no discomfort or downtime after the procedure.  After reading glowing testimonials and maybe even looking at before-and-after pictures, you may find yourself wondering if CoolSculpting is just too good to be true. It’s natural to be skeptical, so we recommend turning to the science to determine whether this is a procedure you’d like to pursue.

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

An understanding of how CoolSculpting works must first begin with a few important facts you should know about fat cells.  When you gain weight, fat is deposited in areas of your body through the expansion of existing fat cells and the creation of new cells. Unfortunately, once a new fat cell has been added, it won’t go away or die on its own.  

Weight loss allows the fat cells of the body to shrink, but they won’t decrease in number. This explains how some areas can be “stubborn” and tend to hang on to unwanted bulges despite your best exercise and dietary habits.  It is precisely these problem areas that cause patients to seek options such as CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis.

Cryolipolysis is among the few non-surgical fat reduction procedures available to patients. Initially discovered by Harvard professors, this treatment uses extremely cold temperatures to target, freeze and kill excess fat cells in different parts of the body. Once destroyed, the cellular remains are metabolized and flushed from the area, reducing bulk to reveal a more toned and sleek appearance. More importantly, the results of this procedure are permanent and these fat cells won’t return as long as you are able to maintain a relatively stable weight.

The Verdict on CoolSculpting

While popular sites like RealSelf can offer insight from fellow patients who’ve undergone the procedure, the indisputable proof is best found in the review of scientific and clinical studies. For many patients, the decision to pursue CoolSculpting often comes down to two key questions: How well does it work and how long will it last? In the case of CoolSculpting, results from patients, physicians, and unbiased third parties all point to the same conclusion – CoolSculpting works and you can count on long-lasting results. 

During clinical trials, studies performed by various researches showcased the efficacy of cryolipolysis as a safe treatment for decreasing fat content in targeted areas of the body. A comprehensive review of the scientific research on cryolipolysis revealed that fat cells can be reduced up to 25% after a single treatment, and the vast majority of patients that undergo this procedure can see visible results.

CoolSculpting’s growing popularity among patients has made additional research and new insights into the long-term effects possible. These additional studies have demonstrated the long-term impacts of the treatment, showing that this non-surgical approach to fat reduction offers lasting results for patients who do not experience weight gain after the procedure. 

Another review of the literature examined the side effects of the procedure and found them to be minimal.  Patients express extremely high satisfaction with their CoolSculpting experience and outcomes, and the vast majority of them would recommend the procedure to their friends. From this and additional research, physicians and research scientists have concluded that cryolipolysis is a safe, comfortable, and effective treatment for patients.

Enhance Your Figure with CoolSculping Today

At Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, our experts specialize in transforming figures and lives. When it comes to non-invasive procedures like CoolSculpting, Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim focus on using the latest and most effective techniques to ensure that patients are satisfied with their results long after their procedures. To learn more about the benefits of CoolSculpting, call 310-746-5475 today and schedule your consultation at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery today!

From the classical era to classic film legends, the hourglass figure is a timeless one that celebrates femininity. Not everyone is born with this classic figure though. While yesteryears ladies may have tried to accentuate their assets with corsets and restrictive diets, new innovations in plastic surgery techniques have made it easier for the modern woman to achieve this classic look while still looking natural.

Creating the Iconic Waist

When it comes to creating the iconic hourglass figure, the bust to waist to hips ratios plays an important role. Unless you’re naturally born with a tiny waist and larger hips and bust, this ratio can be difficult to achieve with diet and exercise alone. However, the following plastic surgeries around the waistline can be completed to help bring in the waistline and accentuate the body’s natural curves.

Liposuction

Perhaps one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, liposuction is a minimally invasive treatment used to remove excess fat tissue from specific areas. For patients looking to create the iconic hourglass figure, liposuction can be used to remove unwanted fat pockets from the abdomen and hips, creating a smaller looking waist. Part of the advantage of using liposuction to remove this excess fat is that so long as patients maintain a healthy diet and do not put on substantial weight, fat will not accumulate again in the treated area.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Popular after pregnancy or substantial weight loss, tummy tucks can tighten the underlying abdominal muscles and narrow the waistline, ultimately creating the iconic hourglass waist. As this procedure is more invasive than liposuction, recovery can be slightly longer. However, the comprehensive nature of treatment makes it a permanent solution to weakened muscles and eliminates the risk of excess skin marring final results.

Beginning with the Bust

In some instances, creating the hourglass figure isn’t so much about creating a smaller waistline as it is about enhancing the bust or bottom. For individuals with more rectangular body shapes as well as those with smaller chests, breast augmentation or lift may be the ideal solution for reaching their dream physique.

Breast Augmentation

Aging, weight fluctuation and even genetics can all result in smaller breast size, leading to a disproportionate figure. Breast augmentation can be completed to enhance cup size and restore volume and symmetry to a patient’s chest. Depending on the patient’s preference and end goals implants can be made from saline, silicone or gummy silicon.

Breast Lift

In some instances, breasts may be better enhanced with a lift rather than an implant. For these patients, breast lifts may be included as part of your journey to an hour glass figure. Rather than increasing the size of the breast with an implant, excess skin is removed while the nipple and areola are moved higher up on the chest. For women looking for a subtler hourglass figure, mastopexy can be the perfect enhancement.

Enhancing the Ends

What is an hourglass figure without a generous, curvy lower half? While some patients may have been gifted with a naturally generous lower rear, others may need surgical assistance to achieve this component of their desired hourglass figure. For these individuals, Brazilian butt lifts have become popular solutions.

Brazilian Butt Lift

While traditional butt implant procedures use synthetic implants to enhance the curve of the derriere, Brazilian butt lifts use the body’s own fat cells to add volume to the buttocks and hips. For women working toward the hourglass figure, this treatment offers the benefits of two treatments for one procedure as the excess fat tissues are taken from other parts of the body, such as the abdomen then reinjected into the buttocks. As the donated tissue is from your own body, there is less likelihood that the body will reject the injected fat cells.

Achieve Your Perfect Figure at BHPS

At BHPS, our goal is to help you achieve your dream figure without compromising your natural beauty or figure. We offer a wide range of plastic surgery procedures designed to emphasize your best assets and address your concerns. Together, we’ll help you create the treatment plan that helps you feel confident in your appearance. To learn more about plastic surgery procedures, call (310) 746-5475 today and schedule your consultation with our surgeons today!

 

With the holidays just around the corner, many of our patients are already looking ahead to the new year for self-improvement goals and opportunities. Most of these goals include looking for ways to improve our physiques and boost our confidence.

While a better diet and increased exercise are always options, these resolutions may not be enough to help you get the body of your dreams. If you’re just a few stubborn lumps and bumps away from achieving the perfectly sculpted physique you’ve been looking for, consider CoolSculpting. With this non-surgical fat-removal solution, you can look forward to knowing you’ve met your new year’s goal ahead of schedule. Additionally, since results are gradual, it’s best to start treatment now.

Why Diet and Exercise Aren’t Enough

A healthy, balanced diet and comprehensive workout routine are important to both weight loss and better health. Consuming fewer calories than you’re outputting and swapping carb-heavy, processed foods for nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits and meats has been the standard solution for individuals looking to lose weight.

To better understand the benefits of CoolSculpting, it’s important to look at how fat cells work. Unlike other cells in the body, fat cells grow and shrink in response to an individual’s diet and workout routine. When individuals put on weight, fat cells expand and more develop while weight loss results in shrinking cell tissue. However, weight loss does not mean fat cells are removed. Even with a vigorous workout routine and restrictive diet, it is almost impossible to eliminate accumulated fat cells (adipose tissue) without some form of physical intervention. For patients looking to eliminate the last stubborn pockets of fat and sculpt their perfect body, this challenge can be especially frustrating.

How CoolSculpting is Revolutionizing Body Sculpting

In the past, traditional body contouring procedures to remove stubborn fat cells have traditionally relied on invasive surgeries. Tummy tucks and liposuction, in particular, have been popular surgical options for patients comfortable with surgical intervention. While these procedures are very effective, the preparation and recovery timeline may not appeal to every patient. For individuals looking to avoid the lengthy recovery time of traditional plastic surgery, CoolSculpting is the ideal alternative.

Rather than relying on surgery to physically remove fat cells, CoolSculpting uses the process of cryolipolysis – the elimination of fall cells via extremely cold temperatures identified by Harvard University scientists. Through this process, stubborn pockets of fat are placed between two panels. These panels emit controlled cooling that directly targets and freezes stubborn fat cells. After treatment, your body naturally processes and eliminates the dead fat cells, leaving you with a more contoured, sculpted appearance.

Start 2019 with Your Best Foot Forward – Schedule an Appointment

If your 2019 goals include self-improvement and self-care, consider the advantages cosmetic treatments like CoolSculpting as a way of helping you achieve your ultimate dream body. To learn more about this innovative approach to body sculpting that doesn’t require surgery, call Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery and schedule your consultation with our experienced team.