Lipoplasty and body contouring surgeries remove cellulite, the fatty layer of tissue beneath the skin in many areas of the body. By removing cellulite, these fat reduction procedures sculpt the body, eliminating unwanted pockets of fat that are resistant to exercise and diet. Commonly treated areas include the buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts (including male breasts), back, arms, and neck. Cellulite reduction surgeries are often combined with other procedures and are one of the safest and most popular cosmetic procedures available today.
Body contouring procedures are perfect for those who have localized areas of fat deposits that cause the body to look disproportionate or asymmetrical. These procedures are also a great option for those who would like more definition or a sleeker contour in certain areas of the body like the thighs and hips. Cellulite reduction procedures work best in individuals who still have good elasticity (recoil effect) in their skin because while the procedures remove fat, they do not work to tighten the skin layer above. Other skin tightening or resurfacing procedures may be combined with fat reduction procedures to give the overall desired look if needed.
Three popular procedures used to remove unwanted cellulite from the body include the 1440 nanometer laser, cryolipolysis, and ultrasound. The 1440 nanometer laser was the first minimally invasive laser treatment to treat cellulite approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was approved in 2012 and provides long-lasting, dramatic results. It involves inserting a tiny fiber-optic tool beneath the skin to break the fiber bands responsible for cellulite which then stimulates new collagen production. With this treatment, multiple areas can be treated with only one session. The most common treatment areas are the buttocks, hips, and thighs. Bruising and swelling is to be expected with this procedure , therefore recovery time can be longer with the laser than with other procedures.
Cryolipolysis is another non-invasive procedure approved by the FDA to remove localized areas of fat in the lower abdomen and along the sides of the body. It works by freezing the lipids in fat cells, which then slowly dissolve without injuring surrounding tissues. Three treatments are typically needed to dissolve an inch of fat, and it can take three to four months before a noticeable improvement is seen.
Another popular treatment for cellulite reduction that is approved by the FDA is ultrasound therapy. Ultrasound uses high-intensity, focused ultrasound energy to destroy and melt targeted fat without harming surrounding the skin. It can reduce fat bulges in the abdomen with an average reduction of about an inch per treatment session. The thighs or other large areas of fat are also common areas treated by ultrasound. Like cryolipolysis, results are not immediate, and two to three months can pass before the final results are revealed.