Body contouring or body sculpting is a nonsurgical procedure used to reduce fat and
reveal a firm and toned body hidden underneath layers of fat or loose skin. It may involve
procedures to get rid of extra skin, eliminate excess fat, reshape or contour the specific area.
Body contouring procedures are minimally invasive to noninvasive. Generally, people can
resume daily activities immediately after the treatment. Body contouring does not usually help
lose weight. Instead, it helps shape the body and address specific areas where weight loss is not
effective or after significant weight loss results in extra skin.

With body contouring procedures, many of these fat cells in your body are simply
removed or destroyed. Once those fat cells are gone, they can never regenerate or be
replaced. The fat cells that remain in your body can still get larger and smaller, depending on
your weight. By removing fat cells in certain areas of the body, like stubborn bulges of fat that
are difficult to get rid of with only exercise or dieting, body contouring can essentially “sculpt”
your body. Although people who get body contouring will look thinner, this is not because they
lost weight. It is because they lost fat cells.

There are different types of contouring procedures. These procedures reduce or remove
stubborn pockets of fat to contour and shape different areas of the body. Nonsurgical body
contouring is called lipolysis. Most nonsurgical fat reduction treatments are based on one of
these four principles which are Cryolipolysis, Laser lipolysis, Radio frequency (RF) lipolysis and
Injection lipolysis.

Cryolipolysis uses uses freezing temperatures to target and destroy fat cells. (for
example, CoolSculpting®). Laser lipolysis uses controlled heating and lasers to destroy fat cells
(for example, Zerona®). Radiofrequency lipolysis uses ultrasound waves and heat to target fat
cells (for example, truSculpt®). Injection lipolysis uses injectable deoxycholic acid into the body
to target fat cells.

Nonsurgical body contouring has fewer risks than surgical liposuction because it does not
involve surgery or anesthesia. Nonsurgical fat reduction procedures tend to be less costly
compared to a surgical liposuction. The procedures usually have mild and short-term side
effects which included redness, swelling, and pain. Nonsurgical options have much shorter
recovery times than surgical options. Most people go back to work and other activities
immediately after the treatment.

Body contouring treatments are not a weight loss solution because they are designed to
help shape areas of the body. This means that the results of any body contouring procedure
are greatly improved if the patient is close to their target weight. Body contouring treatments
are choices for anyone who are close to their desired weight and want to eliminate stubborn fat
that does not respond to diet and exercise. With most body contouring procedures, your body
mass index (BMI) should not be over 30.