You know that feeling when you are doing everything supposedly right but your body has other ideas. You move, eat well, and show up for yourself. And yet, there are areas on your body that just won’t cooperate.
You may have begun to research body contouring.
The outcomes seem great, almost too good, and leave you with the question that you really do need to have answered: does it last or is this just the beginning of a long maintenance relationship?
What Is Body Contouring
Body contouring refers to a variety of procedures that are meant to refine or reshape the body. This can be liposuction that helps to make the abdomen flatter, bring the waistline in, make the upper back narrower, make the thighs and arms slimmer. This can also refer to time we talk that also reshapes the torso.
What Happens to Fat Cells
Once you have body contouring, fat cells are removed and destroyed, and that’s it. Your body stops producing new fat cells after puberty, so there’s no replacement.
Sounds permanent, right? It is, mostly. But your body isn’t static.
Why Some People Never Need Touch-Ups and Others Do
Those specific fat cells are gone forever. But you still have fat cells everywhere else, and those can get bigger if your weight goes up.
Results usually last when:
- Your weight stays pretty close to where it was at treatment
- You’re active in whatever way works for you
- You’re eating normally, not swinging between extremes
- Nothing major happens like pregnancy or big hormonal shifts
You might come back for touch-ups if:
- Your weight changes significantly
- You want to treat a different area you didn’t do initially
- Years pass and your body changes naturally
- You go through pregnancy or menopause
Different Methods Have Different Results
The type of treatment you choose matters.
Surgical procedures
- Fat is physically removed from your body
- Results can last ten years or longer
- Most people never need the same area done twice
- More dramatic change upfront
What Actually Keeps Results Lasting
Body contouring removes stubborn fat, but what happens after is up to you.
Things that help:
- Keeping your weight within 10-15 pounds of where you were
- Moving regularly, even if it’s just walking
- Not dieting and then rebounding constantly
- Getting enough sleep
- Managing stress in ways that actually work
Things that change results:
- Gaining or losing a lot of weight
- Getting pregnant
- Hormonal changes from aging or medication
- Just living life for a few decades
What Actually Happens
Most people don’t come back for the same spot. If their weight is stable, the results hold up well.
What we do see: someone treats their abdomen, feels great, then comes back a year later for their thighs, arms or chin. It’s not that the first treatment failed. They just want to keep going with other areas.
Both approaches are fine. There’s no right way to do this.
Keeping Things Consistent
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to stay somewhere in the general vicinity of your treatment weight.
That’s really it:
- Eat a health diet
- Exercise regularly
- Don’t stress about every fluctuation
- Live your life
Body contouring gives you a starting point. Maintaining it doesn’t require perfection, just consistency.
What to Expect Long-Term
The fat cells that are removed, are permanently gone. But your body will keep changing because that’s what bodies do.
Most people maintain results without needing anything else. Some need small adjustments after major life changes. Others treat additional areas as they go.
There’s no single answer because everyone’s body and life are different.
Reach Out
If you are thinking about body contouring, just come and talk to us.
Our consultation is an individualized conversation on whether this makes sense for you.
At Victorian Body Surgical Arts, you will be informed and empowered to make the best decision for you.
We will tell you what is realistic for your body as well as your situation.
You totally know your body best. We’re just around to help explore your options.
Call us and we’ll walk you through what to actually expect, both short-term and long-term.
FAQs
Do the results last forever?
The fat cells removed do not return, but those that remain in the body can always expand in case you gain weight!
Do I have to keep coming for treatments?
Probably not for the same area. Most individuals who maintain their weight do not feel the need for touch-ups.
When will I see my final results?
The final result will be visible after about 3-6 months since everything has to settle to have a complete view.
