Plastic surgery is a major decision. Although many procedures are now routine, you should seriously consider the implications that one will have on your body before proceeding. In some situations, like if you need to lose some extra pounds or if you are expecting for your body to change during a future pregnancy, you might not actually be a candidate for a surgical procedure. Sometimes patients simply aren’t ready for the commitment, and that’s perfectly fine, too. After all, you should never proceed with a procedure that you aren’t comfortable with.
That doesn’t mean that you have to live with physical characteristics that make you uncomfortable or negatively impact your confidence, though. Many of the New Yorkers that I work with I have questions about procedures. Sometimes, what they expect from a procedure is different from its reality. In these cases, we sometimes decide that the best possible treatment is not a surgery, but a non-surgical procedure. Depending on your situation, you might be in a similar place.
If you’re hesitant to go under the knife or would rather have more subtle changes, consider the following alternatives for common “problem areas.”
Weight loss
Liposuction is probably the first thing many people think of when they consider going to a plastic surgeon for issues involving excess weight, and that makes sense: liposuction is incredibly effective and relatively routine among individuals who have gone through pregnancy, rapid weight gain, or extended weight loss with just a few extra pounds that won’t disappear through diet and exercise alone. My patients report great satisfaction from finally losing those last bothersome pounds through liposuction, but others have reservations about the procedure. When this is the case, or when patients simply want to tone up, I often suggest CoolSculptin as an alternative. CoolSculpting is an innovative and non-invasive procedure that permanently attacks fat cells by freezing them. Unlike with single-procedure liposuction, you’ll need to undergo several sessions to get optimal results, but you can notice some changes after just a few hour-long treatments.
Sagging necks
A lot of people are dealing with “turkey necks” these days. This situation occurs with age as our skin loses elasticity, and research is showing that the condition is only increasing as we spend more and more time looking down at our devices and developing “tech neck.” One option to combat sagging necks is a full-fledged neck lift. With this procedure, we tighten existing skin by pulling upward and out. But this is not your only option for treating it. More and more people are instead turning to laser skin tightening to achieve an overall younger and fuller appearance.
Baggy faces
Just like our necks, our faces can become saggy with time. One treatment option is a face lift, and that surgery can be customized to target specific areas of concern and provide a more youthful look in both men and women. Not everyone is interested in this elaborate procedure, however, and others do not have time for the recovery period that it requires. As an alternative, patients can reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and volume reduction with fillers like Botox. Often, the simple solution is what clients have in mind when it comes to results. In other situations, laser treatments might be a more appropriate choice.
There are a variety of skin variances that people are looking to treat, and no procedure is one-size-fits-all. If you are dealing with facial or body conditions that are negatively impacting your life, it’s important to remember that you have options for treatment. Schedule an appointment today, and we can discuss the best approach for tackling your areas of concern.