If you’re considering a body contouring procedure like a tummy tuck or liposuction to help you get the slimmer, better defined figure you want, the first step is to schedule a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. During your consult, be sure to ask these six questions to help you gauge whether or not body contouring could be right for you.
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Are You Board-Certified?
The most important decision you’ll make prior to getting any plastic surgery is which plastic surgeon will perform your procedure. To help you narrow down your search, check for outstanding qualifications like board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and extensive experience performing body contouring procedures.
In most cases, you can find information like this on a plastic surgeon’s website, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for online, don’t be afraid to ask either over the phone or during your in-person consultation.
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Could I See Before & After Photos?
When planning your body contouring procedure, it’s important to develop realistic goals for your final results. To help you do this, ask your plastic surgeon to see some before and after pictures of results similar to the ones that you might expect yourself.
While it’s not realistic to ask to look exactly like someone else, using before and after photos to help you discuss your trouble spots and wish list with your plastic surgeon can be an effective way to clearly communicate your goals.
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Am I a Good Candidate for Body Contouring?
Many people are surprised to learn that tummy tucks and liposuction aren’t actually weight loss procedures. Because of this, the ideal candidates for body contouring procedures will already be close to their target weight.
Additionally, if you’re considering getting a tummy tuck or liposuction as part of a mommy makeover, it’s typically recommended that you’ve finished having children first to help ensure long-lasting results.
You can discuss these factors with your plastic surgeon to give you a better idea of what the timeline for your body contouring procedure might look like.
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Would I Most Benefit from a Tummy Tuck, Lipo or Both?
Pairing liposuction with your tummy tuck may enhance your smooth, sleek results.
A tummy tuck can address loose, sagging skin and muscle tissue in your abdominal area, but it won’t address stubborn pockets of excess fat. Similarly, liposuction can help to get rid of isolated fatty deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise, but it can’t fix sagging skin. Because of this, many people choose to combine these two body contouring procedures for enhanced results.
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What Will Recovery Be Like?
As part of your body contouring planning, make sure you schedule enough time off of work and get some help with childcare, pet care and other daily responsibilities for the first week or two after your procedure. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon should be able to give you a better idea of what you can expect during your recovery, as well as provide some helpful body contouring preparation tips.
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When Will I See My Results?
Remember that you’re not going to see your results overnight, so try to be patient and give your body the time it needs to heal and recover before assessing your final outcome. That said, most people see noticeable improvements in their body shapes and the way their clothes fit gradually over the weeks and months after their tummy tuck or liposuction.
Dr. Scot Martin concentrates on breast enhancement and body contouring at his practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A nationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
He looks forward to meeting you and helping you become the best version of yourself possible.
