Swelling and discomfort are normal side effects following body contouring that can be mitigated with proper medication. If any body contouring is performed in your thigh or abdomen area, it will probably be difficult for you to stand fully upright initially. Your plastic surgeon may actually tell you not to stand fully upright for several days in order to avoid putting too much stress on any internal sutures. However, it is important that you do light walking as soon as you’re able in order to minimize the possibility of blood clots and other risks. In most instances, you will be told not to bend, strain, or lift anything for several days or even weeks to give your body time to heal. You may need to put pillows under your legs to elevate your knees while you sleep. To ensure the best results possible with little complications, be sure to follow all your surgeon’s directions very carefully.
The initial healing process can last from 7 to 14 days. Your surgeon will remove any sutures necessary during this time. Within a few weeks, you can return to your daily routines as long as you do not do any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise. It’ll take several weeks for you to completely heal. If your body contouring requires multiple sets of procedures you will need to wait until one fully heals before you move on to a different set. Make sure to use sun block or keep your wounds out of the sun during the healing process to avoid skin discoloration. It may take a year or more for incision lines to fade. Continue to go to follow-up visits as scheduled and follow your plastic surgeon’s directions.
Body Contouring Results and Outlook
Body contouring is a surgical process that provides dramatic results not possible via non-surgical procedures. You can see results almost immediately. As the swelling continues to subside and you continue to heal over the course of the next two years, the results of your body contouring will become more apparent. Although the results are permanent, it’s important to keep active and eat healthy in order to maintain your new body. As you continue to age, you will lose some firmness but your newly shaped body will still give you the added boost in self-esteem you’ve been seeking.
Body Contouring Choosing the Right Surgeon
Electing to undergo body contouring is a very important decision so it’s important to pick the right plastic surgeon. Two key things to look for in a plastic surgeon are board certification and privileges.
Board certification is granted by one of two organizations: The American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Only these two organizations can certify physicians to perform plastic surgery of the face and entire body. In order to be certified, doctors must:
- Graduate from an accredited medical school
- Complete five years minimum of surgical training after medical school. This includes an accredited plastic surgery residency program.
- Pass all-inclusive written and oral exams
In addition to board certification, your surgeon should also have operating privileges at an accredited local hospital specifically for the procedure you plan on undergoing, for example, body contouring. This is highly recommended even if your surgeon can complete the procedure at an ambulatory surgery center or an accredited office-based surgical facility.