How Body Contouring Can Transform Your Self-Image

In some circles, body contouring and other aesthetic procedures have an undeserved reputation as being all about vanity. However, Dr. Alex Earle of Pure Plastic Surgery in Miami has seen firsthand the positive impact that body contouring can have on a client’s confidence, self-image, and overall well-being.

Also called body sculpting, body contouring is a surgical technique that can spot-eliminate fat deposits. When losing weight naturally, a client cannot choose to eliminate fat from certain areas — fat loss is generalized. For clients who have reached their goal weight or are very close to it, this can create an undesirable result. They might be dismayed to see they still have noticeable fat on their stomach, thighs, and other areas.

Body contouring was designed to address this problem. The procedure isn’t meant for significant all-over weight loss. Plastic surgeons will often advise clients to be at or near their goal weights before undergoing any kind of body contouring. Essentially, body sculpting is intended for the finishing touches of physique transformation, not for the bulk of the transformation itself.

Liposuction and liposculpture are two of the most common methods of body sculpting and body contouring. Both involve removing fat from the body using a small suction tube called a cannula.

Liposuction is commonly used to remove large amounts of fat from general areas of the body, and it’s typically performed under general anesthesia. However, if you want a more granular approach that precisely refines a specific feature, liposculpture might be a better choice — its purpose is to add definition and help reshape or contour the body.

This means that if you’ve been religiously hitting the gym but still lack a defined set of abs, a surgeon can use high-definition liposculpture — much like a sculptor might use a chisel — to remove fat from each abdominal segment to refine a clear six-pack.

Doctors who perform liposculpture often use additional technologies to create smoother, more natural-looking results. For example, ultrasound-assisted liposculpture helps to break up fat cells before using a cannula to remove them. This means the doctor doesn’t have to rely on the cannula as much. It also means there’s less trauma to the area, which translates to less bruising and swelling after the procedure.

In some cases, doctors can create even more precise results by purifying the removed fat and then injecting it into another area, like the buttocks, hips, or breasts. In men, the fat can be added to the chest, shoulders, or biceps.

So how does body contouring help clients transform their self-image for the better? Anyone who feels happy with the way they look is going to feel confident. Often, that confidence ends up reaching every area of their lives. They might feel emboldened to lead projects, be more proactive at work, or go out on dates.

If you’ve ever felt insecure about any aspect of your appearance, you know how much it can impact your state of mind.

If your insecurity is primarily about leftover fat deposits that you are unable to reduce through diet and exercise, then body contouring can make you feel as though a weight has been lifted. Even situations that once caused you significant anxiety — like going to the beach or the pool — can become fun and relaxing again.

Dr. Earle can tell you how he’s seen clients transform after body contouring. It’s not unusual for those who have had the procedure to find that their entire outlook on life has changed for the better. Having a body contouring procedure may also help support long-term physical health. Once a client has achieved their dream physique, they’ll be much less likely to want to let it go. And when they are comfortable in their skin, they could become less hesitant about proper nutrition and exercising outdoors, going to the gym, or attending group fitness classes.

Ultimately, body contouring has the ability to boost a person’s confidence. This is crucial because it can have a ripple effect that is difficult to overstate. When a client starts seeing themselves in a better light, the rest of the world often will, too.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.