Contact Us 713.322.7265

Contact Us 713.322.7265

Surgical vs Non-Surgical Body Contouring

Surgical vs Non-Surgical Body Contouring | Houston Plastic SurgeryLiposuction is the gold standard where body contouring is concerned. It’s a relatively simple procedure providing dramatic results that enhances entire silhouettes and body contours. Based on this, the rise of non-surgical methods has increased the demand for non-surgical alternatives, such as TruSculpt, CoolSculpting, and Ultrashape. 

Patients seeking techniques for improving their body contours by getting rid of stubborn fat don’t necessarily need to get a surgery performed. You can choose non-surgical body contouring procedures.

Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides surgical and non-surgical body contouring procedures to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations.

Difference in Results

You can attain near immediate results from body contouring procedures, such as abdominoplasty and liposuction after a single session. Correlating with this, the final results are only realized once the bruising and swelling at the treated area resolves. This can easily take a few weeks. 

Conversely, non-surgical body contouring procedure results occur over a series of stages as the patient goes through a succession of treatments. For instance, a single CoolSculpting session should be able to remove about 20% of fat cells (targeted). Hence, non-surgical methods require a series of sessions for achieving the final end results. 

In addition, surgical body contouring procedures yield longer-lasting and more dramatic results as compared to non-surgical options. This is because surgeons can manipulate the body by excising lax muscles and loose skin while removing fat cells. 

Level of Invasiveness

Surgical body contouring procedures are more invasive as compared to non-surgical ones. Most techniques are marketed as minimally invasive since there are no surgical incisions and needles involved. Surgical methods require incisions for directly accessing the subcutaneous tissue using surgical instruments for reshaping and recontouring the body. 

Surgical instruments are not required in non-surgical treatment options. They are minimally uncomfortable and gentle. Correlating with this, heightened level of invasiveness allows for more dramatic and immediate results. 

Downtime Involved

You should expect dedicated recovery period or downtime after surgical body contouring procedures. There would also be restrictions placed on your daily activities. It can take 1 to 2 weeks for a patient to return to work depending on the type of procedure. You would need to wait at least 6 weeks before resuming any form of strenuous exercises. 

A major benefit of non-surgical procedures for body contouring is that it doesn’t require any recovery time. You can resume your routine activities, such as exercise regimens and work almost immediately following the procedure. 

Number of Treatment Sessions

Surgical body contouring is recommended for patients looking for more immediate results. You can get the kind of results you want in a single treatment session. In comparison, multiple treatment sessions are needed for non-surgical body contouring procedures, such as CoolSculpting. The sessions are evenly spread out over a period of weeks. 

Which Treatment is Best For Me?

You should get an in-person consultation with a surgical and a non-surgical body contouring expert to decide what is best for you. In-person consultations provide the opportunity to understand the pros and cons of each treatment option. Female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for surgical and non-surgical body contouring procedures.  

For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.

Serving Houston, TX, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Katy, Friendswood, Pearland, League City, Richmond, Spring, Humble, Kingwood, Stafford, Cypress, Fulshear, Missouri City, River Oaks, Piney Point, Hunters Creek, Memorial Close In, Bunker Hill, Southside Place, Afton Oaks, Tanglewood, Crestwoods and all other surrounding Greater Houston, Texas communities and more.