As a body contouring candidate, it is completely natural to be concerned about the outcome of your procedure, particularly how long it lasts. Dr. Lloyd Landsman makes it a point to sit down with every patient to discuss what to expect after surgery, and how to maintain results over the long term. Here are some of the guidelines he shares with his body contouring patients.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
Adhering to your surgeon’s post-operative instructions is crucial. You will receive a set of guidelines and restrictions to follow in the weeks and months following your surgery. These instructions are designed to optimize the recovery process while reducing the risk of complications, which can affect your overall surgical outcome.
Postpone Surgery Until After You Are Done Having Children
One of the best ways to ensure your results are long-lasting is to postpone surgery until after you are done having children. Pregnancy can “undo” some of the benefits of procedures like tummy tuck by stretching out the abdominal skin and muscles. Ideally, you should not plan to become pregnant after body contouring.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Body contouring procedures like liposuction or SmartLipo permanently eliminate unwanted fat cells, but they do not prevent weight gain. The patients that see the longest-lasting results after body contouring surgery are those that stay committed to leading a healthy lifestyle and maintaining their weight. We recommend the new Weight Watchers diet and the mobile app to our patients as the ideal weight loss and maintenance plan. Visit weightwatchers.com and sign up today.
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is crucial to maintaining your weight. Cutting out processed foods in favor of lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains fuels your body and prevents overeating. It is also important to hydrate by drinking plenty of water (not soda or energy drinks) throughout the day.
Exercise Regularly
The other critical component of weight maintenance is moving your body regularly and staying active. Of course, you should wait until after you are cleared to exercise to resume your regular routine.
In general, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times a week, but you can tweak this to your personal activity level. Working out does not have to mean running or lifting heavy weights — there are so many fun ways to exercise, including dance-based workouts, swimming or cycling.
Follow Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are two of the cornerstones of avoiding weight gain. Other habits that help protect against weight gain and promote a healthy lifestyle are:
- not smoking
- not drinking excessively
- getting plenty of sleep
- minimizing sources of stress
Should you gain weight, the fat cells that were eliminated during a procedure like liposuction or CoolSculpting will not grow back, but the fat cells remaining in the treated area (and other areas throughout your body) can enlarge. This can have a deleterious effect on your body contouring results.
For more information about enjoying your body contouring results long-term, please call 631-864-4111 or email Dr. Landsman today.
