Body Contouring In NYC: The Latest Noninvasive Developments

The pressure to look good is pervasive, whether you’re a high-powered Wall Street investment banker, an aspiring actress, an entrepreneur in search of startup cash, or a sales clerk on Fifth Avenue. Body contouring is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery requests in New York City, where people come from across the country and around the world to make a successful life.

New York body contouring surgery and liposuction used to be the only re-shaping options NYC plastic surgeons could offer people, but advanced technology has brought more noninvasive options to the table for individuals looking for less dramatic results, who simply wish to target a few persistent “trouble spots.”

Liposuction New York body contouring surgery

Liposuction surgery – which has been around since the late 1960s – represents the gold standard for body contouring. Today, liposuction is still one of the most commonly performed procedures in a plastic surgeon’s office. A 2007 study titled “Interest in cosmetic surgery and body image: views of men and women across the lifespan” found that more than 33 percent of women and 15 percent of men were interested in liposuction, specifically.

During this procedure, you will typically be given medication to calm you. The targeted areas will be designated using a marker and scrubbed with antibacterial surgical soap. The incision sites will be anesthetized with a localized injection and the skin will be pierced with a scalpel for the insertion of tumescent fluid. You may feel a slight tingling sensation when this happens that some people find a little uncomfortable. The fluid causes the fat to swell up three to four times its normal size. After 45 minutes of relaxing, the broken-down fat is then removed through an instrument called “a canula.” Then all the fluid is massaged out of the patient – which is quite relaxing – and recovery lasts just a few days. You will need to have your surgical wound site bandages changed out a few times a day and you’ll have to wear a tight binding girdle over the treated areas to start the healing process.

The ideal candidate for liposuction is:

• A healthy adult within 30% of their ideal weight with firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone
• A non-smoker who does not have any chronic illness or medical condition that may impair healing
• A positive, goal-oriented individual who is fully committed to adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Noninvasive methods of body contouring in NYC

New York plastic surgeons are finding that people who may not be good candidates for liposuction surgery are able to enjoy the benefits of noninvasive body contouring.

Modern noninvasive fat removal procedures include:

• Radiofrequency – sends heat deep within targeted fat cells to destroy them, while also tightening flabby skin; ideal for patients who are within 10% of their ideal weight and want to get rid of love handles, chin fat, or under-arm “wings.”
• Cryolipolysis – removes localized areas of fat in the lower abdomen or sides by freezing and dissolving fat cells; results surface gradually over the course of two to six months; ideal for large areas of fat in the stomach area.
• Ultrasound – uses high-intensity, focused sound waves to mechanically destroy and dissolve fat cells gradually over time; treats abs, flanks and thighs with great results; reduces approximately 2 cm of fat within two weeks.
• Low level laser therapy – employs a 635-nm laser to empty contents of fat cells for removal; generally requires six to eight 30-minute sessions to remove up to 3.5 inches of combined fat from the waist, hips and thighs.
• Infrared lasers – selectively targets lipid-rich tissues with 1210 to 1720 nm; its use is currently being investigated with regard to cellulite.

Need a NYC body contouring specialist?

Dr. Thomas W. Loeb is a trained provider of non-invasive laser technology body contouring in NYC. As an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who is specially trained in newer procedures like Smart Lipo and Body Tite, your options are not just limited to traditional liposuction body contouring surgery.

Dr. Loeb also offers skin care treatments such as laser skin resurfacing and non-surgical face lift procedures (Restylane, Radiesse), which can be done the same day. Please call 212.327.3700 for a private consultation.