Many people struggle with sagging skin and excess skin in the abdominal area. Women who have gone through a pregnancy and childbearing may witness similar adverse changes due to the separation of abdominal wall muscles. This may leave you feeling less sexy and, in some cases, make you feel conscious while at the beach or the pool, or when wearing certain outfits. Tummy tuck is recognized as one of the most intensive cosmetic procedures to address these cosmetic concerns. Plastic surgeons accomplish this treatment by removing excess skin and fat, as well as supporting weakened abdominal muscles to reveal a firmer and flatter abdomen. If you are getting ready for this procedure, it is important to note that non-surgical alternatives may also be available.
Non-surgical tummy tuck procedures
While abdominoplasty is one of the most popular procedures to address aesthetic issues in the midsection area, some people are unwilling to have invasive surgery. They may be concerned about the long downtime involved after the surgery, as well complications such as scarring. The good news though is that non-surgical alternatives to tummy tuck are available that can help you achieve the results you are looking for.
1. CoolSculpting
This is one of the most popular non-surgical tummy tuck alternatives. This is an innovative non-invasive technique that aims to remove unwanted fat tissue from the abdominal region. The procedure was developed by scientists from Harvard University. It entails a unique cooling process that isolates and then freezes off targeted fat cells. Once frozen, the fat cells will die and then get eliminated from the body through natural metabolic processes to reveal a slim abdominal profile.
Since CoolSculpting is a non-surgical aesthetic procedure, it involves no cuts, needles, or medications. This treatment is best suited for patients who have good skin elasticity in the abdominal area but wish to get rid of stubborn fat deposits. You’ll be able to get back up immediately after the procedure as there is no downtime or discomfort involved. There are also no side effects involved after CoolSculpting procedure.
2. BodyTite
This is another popular procedure for patients who are not interested in a surgical tummy tuck. It is a minimally-invasive treatment that uses Radio Frequency Assisted Liposuction to administer controlled heat to tissues in order to achieve a smoother and more youthful appearance. Studies have shown that BodyTite can contract skin by as much as 45 percent, which makes it a great procedure choice especially for people who are looking to alleviate mild skin sagging. In addition to the abdominal area, BodyTite may also be used to address mild skin sagging in other areas of the body.
3. Lipodissolve
This is an innovative non-surgical alternative to a tummy tuck. The procedure aims to remove stubborn pockets of fat from the abdominal area. This technique works by first liquefying unwanted fatty tissue to allow for easier removal. Unlike the conventional liposuction procedure, where fat is suctioned out via a mechanical tube, lipodissolve uses the body’s natural metabolic system to get rid of liquefied fat cells. Plastic surgeons administer this non-surgical alternative by injecting enzymes, vitamins, and other natural ingredients that help break down the fat into the abdominal area.
4. Stretch Mark Removal
Abdominal stretch marks are a common concern, particularly with women who have been through pregnancy and childbearing. Plastic surgeons may be able to address this concern without the need for a tummy tuck by using an advanced laser procedure to restore an attractive abdominal skin appearance. This technique makes use of the latest advances in laser technology to reduce abdominal stretch marks without the risk of scarring or post-operative downtime.
5. Cellulite Reduction
Cellulite can ruin the attractiveness of your skin. While exercise and diet may help improve this aesthetic concern, it often takes too much time and sometimes may not even be effective. Plastic surgeons have several cellulite reduction techniques up their sleeves that they can use to create an enhanced and smoother abdominal skin appearance. One of the more popular cellulite reduction techniques is VelaShape, which entails using gentle massagers to remove cellulite over a number of treatment sessions. Another cellulite reduction technique that is known to be effective is VelaSmooth, which uses massage therapy to achieve similar results. Some provides may also recommend LipoMassage, or various other treatments to get rid of cellulite and achieve youthful contours in the abdominal area.
Surgical vs non-surgical tummy tuck
It is important to note that these tummy tuck alternatives are not ideal for everyone. They only achieve minor improvements for patients who have a little amount of excess fat and minimal skin sagging. If you are looking to attain a comprehensive midsection transformation, a surgical tummy tuck is the best option. The only way to know whether you need a surgical tummy tuck or can benefit from non-surgical alternatives is to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to examine your problem areas and select a procedure (or combination of procedures) that yields the most benefit.