Body contouring surgery is a fantastic way to refine areas or features that make you feel self-conscious, such as “love handles” or a “muffin top.” But body contouring isn’t right for everyone and some people won’t see great results with surgery.

If you are unsure whether body contouring surgery is appropriate for your particular needs, this blog post is for you. Read on as Dr. A.J. Khalil clarifies some of the relevant criteria.

You maintain a stable weight in a healthy range.

The first indication that you are a great candidate for body contouring is that your weight is generally stable and within a healthy range. If you fluctuate in weight or need to lose a significant amount of weight to reduce your BMI, body contouring is probably not for you. Body contouring procedures like liposuction and tummy tuck are not intended as substitutes for weight loss treatment.

Despite maintaining a healthy weight, you have pockets of unwanted fat and/or loose skin.

If body contouring procedures are not designed for weight loss, what do they improve? Body contouring is actually designed to sculpt and tone areas of unwanted fat and/or loose skin. It is nearly impossible to target loose skin with diet and exercise and it can be very difficult to reduce certain areas of fat tissue, especially if you are predisposed to carrying weight in a certain area.

You are in the habit of eating healthy and exercising regularly.

If you follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly, you are positioning yourself as a great candidate for procedures like liposuction and mommy makeover. You have excellent chances of seeing optimal results and maintaining them long-term once you are already in the habit of eating right and working out.

On the other hand, if you are very out of shape, eat poorly and cannot commit to living a healthy lifestyle after surgery, you probably will not see the results you want, or you will not be able to maintain them very long.

You don’t smoke (or you can commit to quitting).

Smoking raises the risks of complications during and after body contouring surgery. If you smoke, you must commit to quitting a few weeks before surgery and abstain for several weeks afterward to lower the risks.

Book a Body Contouring Consultation

For more information about liposuction, tummy tuck or mommy makeover, Dr. Khalil welcomes you to book a consultation at his Beverly Hills plastic surgery practice. Please call 310.385.8601 or send us an email today to make your appointment.