For those of us who yearn for the warmth of spring and summer, late winter can seem to go on forever. February and March promise extended daylight hours, but the weather stays cold and often gray. During these chilly, soggy days, Atlanteans are prone to daydreaming of days by the pool. If you are among those who spend the last weeks before spring thinking about shorts and swimsuits, you may also be thinking about getting your beach Body back in shape. Whether your New Year’s resolution to lose weight needs fresh motivation or you’re finally ready to get rid of lingering body fat, this time of year is perfect to consider a cosmetic Body Sculpting procedure to make your dream summer body a reality.

Body Sculpting

There are plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures designed to address almost any aesthetic concern anywhere on the body. Facelifts, breast augmentations, laser hair removal and so many others can help change parts of your appearance that are affecting your self-confidence. Body sculpting, also called body contouring, is one category of plastic surgery that refers to the range of procedures designed to reshape your physique: tummy-flattening, curve-enhancing or fat-reducing options like liposuction, abdominoplasty or a thigh or arm lift. These procedures are particularly popular in a world where looking fit and healthy is a common measure of beauty and attraction. For the right client, body sculpting can be an excellent option to truly achieve your dream body when diet and exercise cannot deliver the results you want.

Types of Body Sculpting Procedures

Depending on your body type, your concerns and your goals, there are different types of body sculpting procedures that can best fit your needs. Non-invasive procedures like CoolSculpting, for example, boast short treatment sessions and minimal downtime for a busy client who only needs a little work done. Liposuction is a tried-and-true middle ground that can often treat more extensive concerns with less recovery than a full surgery. Liposuction has long been among the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures due to its wide applicability but less invasive nature. And a tummy tuck is often the right option for clients whose sculpting concerns involve loose, excess skin — though it is the most intensive option, it is also the most comprehensive.

Recovery Now, Results in Time for Summer

No matter what kind of body sculpting procedure is right for you, your results will take a few months to settle in. Many experienced plastic surgeons recommend choosing winter or spring for body sculpting procedures for this reason: once summer arrives, your newly contoured body will be ready for you to reveal. Additionally, you will need to spend time resting to recover from these procedures — this is much more easily accomplished in the winter when staying indoors and relaxing is the norm due to the weather. Liposuction candidates can expect to need a few days away from work and up to two weeks away from non-sedentary activities, and it can take a month or two before all swelling and bruising have subsided. The recovery from a tummy tuck or surgical lift is longer in proportion with the intensiveness of the procedure — you can expect to need two weeks away from work, four to six weeks before you will feel back to normal and about a month before you are cleared to resume all activities including exercise. Like liposuction, all residual swelling, bruising and tenderness can take a few months to diminish completely.

For these kinds of surgeries, you will also be expected to wear a compression garment in the area that you had treated. Most of our clients prefer to hide these under bulky clothing like sweaters or long, loose pants — your winter wardrobe is likely much more conducive to concealing this stage of your recovery than your summer sundresses or short sleeves. These garments can also be an uncomfortable extra layer in the heat and humidity of a Georgia summer. Choosing your body sculpting procedure now gives you plenty of time to recover easily and fully; not only will your summer body be ready for you to show off, but you will not need to be unnecessarily uncomfortable in order to achieve it.

The Ideal Body Sculpting Candidate

While this time of year makes sense for your body sculpting recovery, it is also an ideal time because it provides the perfect environment to make sure that you are ready for your procedure. Between winter weight gain and “new year, new me” attitudes, January through March is a very popular season to seek some extra help for your body from a plastic surgeon. But body sculpting is not just an easy way to lose weight or look in shape. It is best suited for a client who has already reached their goal weight and has identified problem areas like stubborn fat on the hips or abdomen, or for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and are struggling with stretched and sagging skin. Seeking the advice of a plastic surgeon now will give you some time to prepare if you need to shed a few more pounds or get your diet back on track. And, if you stuck to your New Year’s resolution to spend more time at the gym, you may already be in just the right stage of your fitness journey to truly benefit from a body sculpting procedure.

If you are ready to make a real change in your health, your happiness and your summer body, it might be time for you to consult with a plastic surgeon about a body sculpting procedure this winter. To learn more about body sculpting procedures in Atlanta, look no further than the staff and surgical team at Advanced Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center. With four convenient locations in Fayetteville, LaGrange, Newnan and McDonough, we are proud to provide body sculpting and many other cosmetic procedures to those in the greater Atlanta area. We are happy to help you get informed about your options and decide whether liposuction or a different body sculpting procedure might be right for you. Call us today at 770-461-4000 to schedule your complimentary consultation.