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After undergoing a body sculpting procedure, whether it pertains to the abdomen (tummy), waist (love handles), back, arms, thighs, hips, calves, ankles, or other areas, there are ways to maintain your sculpted physique for the long term. Haute Beauty Ambassador Dr. Sachin Shridharani of LUXURGERY provides the following recommendations to his patients after performing a body sculpting procedure:
When to Resume Exercise
The timing for resuming exercise after a body sculpting procedure can vary depending on the specific procedure performed, the extent of the surgery, and the individual's overall health and recovery progress. It's crucial to follow the post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon, as they will have the most accurate guidance tailored to your situation. You will need to allow your body sufficient time (at least 6 weeks) to heal before engaging in vigorous exercise or activities that could compromise the treated areas.
During the initial stages of recovery, you can focus on gentle movements and light activities, such as short walks to promote blood circulation. Once you have healed sufficiently and received clearance, you can gradually increase the intensity. Around 3-4 weeks, you can go back to light cardio, and then incorporate strength training again around 6 weeks, given that you are healing as expected and without complications. It's crucial to listen to your body, avoid overexertion, and gradually reintroduce more strenuous exercises.
Dietary Guidelines to Follow
- Consume a balanced diet: Include a variety of foods from different food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in order to obtain a wide range of nutrients. Minimize your intake of processed foods, sugary beverages, sweets, and snacks. These often provide empty calories and lack essential nutrients, potentially hindering your body sculpting efforts.
- Monitor calorie intake: Pay attention to your calorie consumption and ensure it aligns with your goals. If you want to maintain your body sculpting results, you'll need to balance your energy intake with your energy expenditure. This may involve tracking your daily calorie intake and adjusting portion sizes as needed.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support overall health and maintain optimal bodily functions. Water also aids in digestion, and nutrient absorption, and helps regulate appetite.
- Maintain consistency: Consistency is key in maintaining your body sculpting results. Stick to your healthy eating habits over the long term rather than relying on short-term restrictive diets.
Common Mistakes Made by Patients
There are things in the immediate post-body sculpting recovery that one can do to jeopardize their health and outcomes such as not following post-care instructions from their surgeons, exercising and straining the body too soon, raising heart rate too much which risks developing blood clots, etc.
After the initial phase of recovery, common mistakes that may be made are:
- Poor nutrition: Neglecting proper nutrition is one of the most common mistakes. Failing to consume a balanced diet with adequate protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals can hinder muscle growth, recovery, and overall body composition.
- Inconsistent adherence: Lack of consistency in following a healthy lifestyle is another mistake. Achieving and maintaining body sculpting results requires long-term commitment and consistency. Skipping workouts, frequently deviating from the recommended diet, or not adhering to a structured exercise routine can hinder progress.
- Unrealistic expectations: Setting unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and frustration. Body sculpting takes time and dedication, and results vary from person to person. It's important to have realistic goals and focus on overall health and well-being rather than solely on appearance.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Peakstock/Shutterstock
Non-Invasive Techniques to Enhance Results
Yes, there are several non-invasive techniques and treatments that can help enhance or maintain the results of body sculpting procedures. Here are a few examples:
- Sculptra: Sculptra is a minimally invasive injectable treatment that is composed of poly-L-lactic acid which helps stimulate collagen production in the skin. This treatment can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and smoothen contour irregularities on the body.
- Kybella: Kybella can be used to target stubborn fat cells that need to be touched up after body sculpting procedures. Kybella is a minimally invasive injectable treatment that can permanently destroy fat cells on the face or body.
- RF Microneedling: Radiofrequency microneedling utilizes ultrafine needles and radiofrequency waves to rejuvenate the skin. The controlled trauma to the skin stimulates healthy new skin growth which can help produce elastin and collagen. This may help target fine lines, wrinkles, scars, etc.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of these non-invasive treatments may vary depending on individual factors and the specific procedure performed. It's advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or aesthetic specialist who can assess your needs and recommend appropriate treatments based on your goals and specific body sculpting procedure.
Lifestyle Changes
To maintain body sculpting results over the long term, patients can implement several important lifestyle changes. These changes focus on sustaining a healthy lifestyle and creating habits that support their body composition goals. Here are some key lifestyle changes to consider:
- Regular exercise: Incorporate regular exercise into your routine. Aim for a combination of cardiovascular exercises to burn calories and strength training exercises to build and maintain muscle mass. Consistency is crucial, so find activities you enjoy and can sustain over time.
- Healthy eating habits: Adopt a balanced and nutritious eating plan. Focus on whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, sugary snacks, and beverages. Portion control is also important to maintain a healthy calorie balance.
- Hydration: Stay properly hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Water supports digestion, metabolism, and overall bodily functions. It can also help curb excessive snacking or overeating.
- Consistency and sustainability: Avoid adopting short-term, restrictive diets or exercise regimens. Instead, focus on long-term consistency and sustainability. Make gradual changes that you can maintain over time, as sustained effort is key to maintaining body sculpting results.
For more information, visit Sachin Shridharani, MD, FACS's social media:
