As summer approaches, most of us start to feel self-conscious about how we are going to look in a bathing suit. In the colder months, we were able to hide our extra jiggles and rolls under sweaters and warm, bulky clothing, but when temperatures begin to soar, the jig is up! We all start looking for ways to slim down and tone up.
When it comes to achieving a toned and flat abdomen, many people turn to surgical procedures like tummy tucks. While some patients do need a procedure as drastic as a tummy tuck to correct their cosmetic concerns, there are a number of individuals who could benefit from a much quicker and less invasive form of treatment. Advances in medical aesthetics have introduced non-surgical alternatives that can provide effective results without the need for invasive surgery.
In this article, we explore what is involved in a non-surgical tummy tuck, its benefits, and how it can help you slim down for summer and boost your confidence in your bathing suit body.
Is A Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck Possible?
A non-surgical tummy tuck, also known as a non-invasive tummy tuck or non-surgical body contouring, is a procedure that aims to reduce excess fat and tighten the abdominal area without the need for surgery.
Unlike traditional tummy tucks that involve incisions, the removal of excess skin, and muscle tightening, non-surgical alternatives utilize innovative technologies to achieve similar results.
Not every patient will be a candidate for a non-surgical tummy tuck, but a consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon can help you determine if you are an eligible candidate.
Who Is A Candidate For A Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck?
A non-surgical tummy tuck, also known as a non-surgical body contouring procedure, is typically suitable for individuals who have mild to moderate excess fat or loose skin in the abdominal area and are looking for a non-invasive or non-surgical alternative to traditional tummy tuck surgery.
Candidates who may consider a non-surgical tummy tuck include:
- Individuals who are in overall good health;
- Individuals who have mild to moderate excess fat and/or loose skin in the abdominal area;
- Individuals with stubborn fat deposits in the abdominal area who are close to their ideal body weight but have specific areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise;
- Post-pregnancy or weight loss patients who need a bit of help to tighten loose skin and improve the overall contour of the abdomen These procedures can be beneficial for women who want to regain their pre-pregnancy abdominal appearance or individuals who have loose skin due to weight loss;
- Individuals seeking minimal downtime compared to surgical options;
- Those looking for a non-invasive approach and have concerns about surgical risks, scarring, or the invasiveness of a traditional tummy tuck.
Individuals who have an abundance of excess skin, such as after weight loss surgery or multiple pregnancies, would benefit from a traditional tummy tuck. Often, stretched, torn, or separated abdominal muscles cannot be addressed through a non-invasive procedure and require surgical repair.
What Are Some Of The Best Tummy Tuck Techniques That Do Not Involve Surgery?
A non-surgical tummy tuck aims to address mild to moderate amounts of loose skin and excess fat deposits. One or more of these non-surgical cosmetic procedures may adequately address your concerns without surgery.
- PHYSIQ Treatments
- PHYSIQ is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that can help reduce excess abdominal fat and improve the appearance of your tummy. It uses a combination of radiofrequency and electromagnetic energy to target and destroy fat cells in the treatment area.
Breast contouring with PHYSIQ During the treatment, the PHYSIQ device emits controlled radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves that penetrate the skin and heat up the underlying fat cells. This causes the fat cells to break down and release their contents, which the body then naturally eliminates through the lymphatic system.
The treatment also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin fibers, which can tighten and firm the skin in the treated area. Another benefit of PHYSIQ is that the treatment also stimulates the abdominal muscles, providing a gym-worthy workout. This helps improve the overall appearance of the abdomen, giving it a smoother, more toned, and more defined look.
PHYSIQ treatments are typically performed in a series of sessions, with each session lasting between 20 and 30 minutes. Most patients report feeling a warm, comfortable sensation during the treatment, and there is usually no downtime or recovery period needed.
- The Evolve Family Of Treatments
- The Evolve treatments work together to help slim, smooth, and tone your abdominal area, which makes these treatments the ideal non-surgical tummy tuck for loose skin, excess fat, and enhanced muscle definition.
Evolve Trim before and after - Evolve Tite utilizes radiofrequency energy to rejuvenate the skin, providing non-surgical skin tightening and remodeling. This treatment is particularly effective for addressing sagging skin, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity in various areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, and face. By delivering controlled heating to the deeper layers of the skin, Evolve Tite stimulates collagen production and encourages tissue remodeling, resulting in a firmer, more youthful appearance.
- Evolve Trim is an advanced non-surgical body contouring treatment that targets stubborn fat deposits. Using a combination of radiofrequency energy, deep tissue heating, and suction, this procedure selectively heats and destroys fat cells, leading to their gradual elimination from the body. Evolve Trim is highly customizable, allowing practitioners to tailor the treatment to individual needs, ensuring precise and effective fat reduction in areas like the abdomen, hips, thighs, and arms. The procedure is comfortable and requires no downtime, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a non-invasive alternative to liposuction.
- Evolve Tone is for individuals looking to enhance muscle tone and definition. This treatment employs electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) technology to induce involuntary muscle contractions, mimicking intense workouts. Evolve Tone is particularly useful for toning the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and arms. By engaging the muscles and triggering deep contractions, it helps sculpt and strengthen targeted areas, resulting in improved muscle tone and a more sculpted physique.
- Kybella
- Kybella injections, also known as deoxycholic acid injections, are primarily FDA-approved for the treatment of submental fat to eliminate a double chin. However, they are also used off-label for reducing stubborn fat deposits in other areas of the body, including the abdomen.
The use of Kybella involves the injection of deoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring molecule that helps in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the targeted area, Kybella destroys the excess fat cells, breaking them down over time, and they are eliminated as part of the body’s natural lymphatic waste removal process.
Minimally-Invasive Tummy Tuck Alternative
- BodyTite™
- BodyTite is an advanced minimally invasive body contouring procedure that utilizes radio frequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL) technology. It is designed to tighten and reshape the body by targeting excess fat and loose skin in various areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and neck.
Fat reduction with BodyTite During a BodyTite procedure, a small incision is made in the treatment area. A thin cannula, or tube, is then inserted through the incision. This cannula delivers radiofrequency energy both beneath the skin and on the surface. The radiofrequency energy works to heat and melt the targeted fat cells while simultaneously promoting collagen production and tissue tightening.
What Are The Benefits Of A Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck?
There are many benefits to using non-surgical procedures to sculpt your midsection rather than going under the knife, including:
- 1. They are non-invasive
- Non-surgical tummy tucks do not require incisions, anesthesia, or the lengthy recovery period associated with surgical procedures. Patients can resume their regular activities immediately after the treatment.
- 2. There is minimal discomfort and generally no downtime
- Non-surgical procedures are generally well tolerated, with no or minimal discomfort during or after the treatment. Unlike surgical tummy tucks, there is no need for post-operative pain management or downtime.
- 3. Quick and convenient
- These treatments can be scheduled for convenience, and patients can have them while relaxing during their lunch hour. Moreover, these treatments are relatively quick, typically lasting between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the area being treated.
- 4. They provide natural-looking results
- Non-surgical techniques offer subtle and natural-looking results, allowing for a more gradual transformation. The progressive nature of these treatments enables patients to achieve their desired results over several sessions, with outcomes appearing more gradual and less drastic.
- 5. There are significantly reduced risks
- Non-surgical tummy tucks carry fewer risks compared to surgical procedures as they do not involve invasive techniques. There is no risk of scarring, infections, or adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Considerations and Limitations Of Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck
While non-surgical tummy tucks can be an excellent alternative for many individuals, it is essential to understand that they may not provide the same level of results as surgical procedures.
The effectiveness of these techniques varies depending on the individual’s specific goals, body type, and the amount of excess fat or loose skin present.
A non-surgical tummy tuck may not be recommended or effective for some individuals, such as:
- Those with excessively loose or sagging skin;
- Severe Obesity;
- Individuals who are pregnant or have recently given birth;
- Suffer from certain medical conditions;
- Individuals who have unrealistic expectations.
Where Can I Get A Tummy Tuck Without Surgery?
SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics can assess your unique circumstances and discuss your goals to determine whether a non-surgical tummy tuck or an alternative procedure would be best for you.
While non-surgical tummy tuck procedures are less invasive and offer much lower risk profiles than traditional tummy tuck surgery, there are still risks involved. If performed by an untrained or inexperienced individual, you may experience an adverse reaction or obtain unexpected results.
Choose a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has the qualifications and experience for the procedure you wish to have done. Research their reputation and patient reviews, and then schedule a consultation to discuss your specific goals and concerns to ensure they can meet your expectations.
Dr. Angelina Postoev with SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics is triple board-certified and an expert in both surgical and non-surgical body contouring. She will answer your questions about how a non-surgical tummy tuck works and tell you honestly what the best plan of care would be to deliver the results you desire.
Contact SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics today for an appointment to learn more about the different treatments available to accomplish a tummy tuck without surgery.
