Body contouring treatments, whether they are of a surgical or non-surgical nature, can significantly improve your shape. However, what many fail to realize is that these procedures are only the first stage of the journey. This is why roughly 65 percent of liposuction patients notice fat return in the months after the procedure.
Clients who want to look refined in the long term have to take on a few habits. Many of these changes are common-sensical, whereas others require a bit of planning. While you don’t have to follow strict diets or exercise regimens, treating your body right after the procedure increases satisfaction.
What Body Contouring Does for You
Body contouring is a procedure that uses surgical or non-surgical measures to eliminate fat in targeted areas. Unlike traditional weight loss, which just shrinks the fat cells, body sculpting damages them and prompts the body to flush them out entirely. Depending on technology, body sculpting also tightens the skin and improves muscle visibility, helping you look fit.
However, body contouring doesn’t help you keep the other fat cells from growing. The remaining cells in the subcutaneous layer can expand if you “let go,” and body contouring does not reach the visceral fat layers. Body contouring reshapes the areas that are resistant to dieting and exercise, but lifestyle tweaks are needed to prevent the fat from returning.
Healthy Habits After Body Contouring
Whether you go for non-surgical options such as TruBody and EMSCULPT NEO®, or you decide liposuction is a better fit, some practices promote fast recovery. Long-term results happen if you make these habits permanent, but they should at least be implemented while the body removes the fat. This includes:
1. Aggressive Hydration
Body contouring treatments work by heating, freezing, or disrupting the fat cells in the subcutaneous layer. Even modern liposuction uses lasers to improve results and damage more fat cells. Your body has to flush out these destroyed fat cells through the lymphatic system, and hydration is key to that. Drink two to three liters of water every day, depending on your activity level and body size, and stay consistent with the quantities.
2. Get Lymphatic Massages
Massages are not just for relaxing after a long day; they can also help supercharge your lymphatic flow. Manual massages help speed up recovery, so gently massage the area for five minutes several times a day. Soft dry brushing also stimulates the lymph vessels and supports clearance.
3. Choose Collagen-Supporting Nutrients
Body contouring procedures that rely on radiofrequency and ultrasound to remove fat and tighten the skin use neocollagenesis. To reach peak results, the skin must build new collagen and elastin fibers. Clean proteins and lean amino acids from foods such as chicken, fish, eggs, and tofu help create the bulk of the structure. Vitamin C and zinc are also essential to tie them together, so incorporate them in your daily meals.
4. Keep an Active Metabolism
You don’t have to run marathons or lock yourself in the gym every day, but you need gentle movement to stimulate the blood flow. Go for short walks and light stretching (once approved) in the early stages, and gradually increase when you feel comfortable. Improved circulation helps the body transport the metabolic waste while reducing remaining fat cells.
Long-Term Habits for a Contoured Body
Aside from the usual exercise and dieting habits, you may also want to adopt a few lifestyle and skincare practices for long-term results. This includes the following:
1. Avoid Excessive UV Exposure
Excessive exposure to UV light gradually damages the skin and destroys collagen bonds, leading to premature sagging. If you fix body contouring issues with procedures such as radiofrequency, never forget to put on sunblock when going outside.
2. Reduce Stress
Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which boosts inflammation and slows tissue repair. It’s also one of the main reasons why you gather fat in the belly area. Even breathing exercises, such as yoga, calm the nervous system and help promote a lean body.
3. Have a Healthy Calorie Intake
Most people need around 1500-1800 calories every day when dieting, which is considered a healthy baseline. That number goes to 2000-2500 when not dieting. Avoid crash diets, as they throw the body off balance and could cause it to store more fat than usual.
Things to Avoid After Body Contouring
Some habits help promote smooth recovery and maintain your results for a longer time, but others just disrupt the progress. Avoid these habits, especially in the first few weeks after the procedure:
- Smoking: Nicotine constricts the blood vessels, which significantly delays tissue healing. If the body contouring procedure requires incisions, the risk of scarring also increases.
- Salt-Heavy Foods: Excess salt intake leads to water retention, making you feel bloated and masking your effort. Avoid processed snacks for at least two weeks.
- Alcohol: Booze can dehydrate the body and put extra strain on the liver. This can slow the results, since it’s already busy trying to flush out the fat cells.
- Poor Sleep: Most of the body’s recovery happens when you are sleeping. Sleep deprivation also increases cortisol levels, which are linked to higher fat storage.
Adhere to the instructions of our practitioners, as the guidelines may depend on the technology used.
Start Your Body Contouring Journey Today!
Body contouring doesn’t end with the fat removal procedure, but it continues with the habits you adopt. By prioritizing nutrition, movement, and good lifestyle choices, you can reach peak results faster and maintain them for longer. Contact Cosmetica today and find out how to transform your body!
For more information, contact Cosmetica Anti-Aging, Aesthetic Lasers, and Weight Loss Clinic at 650-629-7606. We have locations in San Mateo, Los Gatos, and Danville where we can help you. You can also fill out the online contact form, and we will get in touch with you shortly.