Shape Up: The Complete Guide to Body Contouring
Body contouring services are non-surgical or surgical cosmetic treatments designed to remove stubborn fat, tighten loose skin, and help shape specific areas of your body.
For a quick understanding of what's involved, here's a snapshot:
What it is: Treatments to reshape and tone your body by removing fat or loose skin.
Types of procedures: Surgical (like tummy tucks or liposuction) and non-surgical options (like CoolSculpting and EmSculpt NEO).
Ideal candidates: Adults near a healthy weight who want to address stubborn fat, loose skin, or specific body shaping goals.
Results timeline: Non-surgical methods show gradual results within 3–6 months; surgical results appear sooner after recovery.
Maintenance: Results last longest with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
I'm Rachel Stone, CEO of MD Body and Med Spa, with over a decade of experience delivering cutting-edge body contouring services. My background in medical aesthetics and commitment to continuous education allow me to help clients safely achieve their aesthetic goals.
What is Body Contouring?
Body contouring is a term used for treatments that reshape and improve your body's appearance by removing stubborn fat, tightening loose skin, and improving overall body definition. Think of it as sculpting for your body, rather than weight loss. Unlike losing weight—which shrinks fat cells all over your body—body contouring services specifically tackle those trouble spots, directly eliminating fat cells or getting rid of excess skin.
There's a saying that goes, "The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection." While you might chuckle a bit at that (we do!), it's a beautiful reminder of what body contouring is all about: revealing the naturally defined shape that's often hiding underneath stubborn fat pockets or loose skin.
People often turn to body contouring to tackle issues that diet and exercise alone simply can't fix. Maybe it's that stubborn belly fat that won't budge, extra skin after major weight loss or pregnancy, or perhaps age-related sagging that's affecting your confidence. Common areas treated include the abdomen, thighs, arms, and even the face and neck.
As board-certified plastic surgeon Kristen Parker Broderick puts it, "Body contouring after weight loss is a procedure to remove excess skin left after significant weight loss or post-pregnancy changes, thus improving body shape and reducing functional issues."
Body contouring isn't meant as a shortcut or replacement for weight loss. Instead, it's ideal for people who are already close to their desired healthy weight but want to refine their shape further, addressing specific concerns like excess skin or stubborn fat deposits. It's about enhancing your results—letting you enjoy the payoff for all that hard work you've already done.
At MD Body and Med Spa, we offer personalized, expert-guided body contouring services custom exactly to your needs, combining cutting-edge technology and a warm, supportive environment to help you feel your best.
Types of Body Contouring Procedures
Body contouring procedures generally fall into two main categories: surgical and non-surgical. Both methods have their own unique advantages, and the best choice depends on your specific goals, needs, and lifestyle preferences.
Surgical Body Contouring
Surgical body contouring services involve making incisions and using anesthesia, but they offer impressive, immediate results—especially if you're dealing with significant excess fat or loose skin. These procedures are typically performed by a plastic surgeon and do require a bit more downtime compared to non-surgical options.
One of the most popular surgical procedures is the abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, which removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens weakened muscles for a noticeably flatter belly. It's especially common among women who have gone through pregnancy or anyone who's lost significant weight.
If you're dealing with a hanging apron of skin in the lower belly area (known as a pannus), a panniculectomy may be a better fit. It's similar to a tummy tuck, but it's considered medically necessary when the excess skin causes hygiene issues, infections, or mobility problems.
Other common surgical options include the arm lift (brachioplasty), which helps tighten the loose "bat wing" skin under your arms; the breast lift (mastopexy), which raises and reshapes sagging breasts; the facelift, which smooths sagging skin on your face and neck; and the thigh lift and lower body lift, which address loose skin and excess fat in the lower body and thighs.
Surgical procedures tend to be the best solution when loose skin or fat is too significant for non-surgical treatments to handle effectively. During your surgery, you'll be under general anesthesia while your surgeon precisely removes skin and fat and tightens underlying muscles or tissues. Afterward, they'll carefully reshape your skin into a smoother, more contoured silhouette.
Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Non-surgical body contouring services have truly revolutionized aesthetics. These treatments offer effective results without any cuts, stitches, or lengthy recovery times—perfect if you prefer a minimally invasive approach. Non-surgical methods typically use advanced technologies to gently target fat cells or boost collagen production, giving you smoother, tighter skin.
A top favorite is CoolSculpting (cryolipolysis), which uses controlled cooling technology to literally freeze away stubborn fat cells. Your body then naturally removes these "frozen" cells over the following weeks, giving you a slimmer look without surgery.
Another popular choice, laser lipolysis (SculpSure), relies on special laser technology to gently heat and eliminate fat cells located just under your skin. Similarly, radiofrequency lipolysis heats fat cells using radiofrequency energy while giving the added benefit of tighter skin and boosted collagen production.
There's also ultrasound fat reduction, which zeroes in on unwanted fat cells using targeted ultrasound waves, effectively destroying them without harming surrounding tissue. If you're bothered by a stubborn double chin, the FDA-approved injectable treatment Kybella specifically targets and dissolves fat cells beneath your chin for a sleeker jawline.
Non-surgical procedures are great if you're already very close to your ideal weight but have a few stubborn trouble spots that resist diet and exercise. While results aren't immediate, you'll see gradual improvement over the course of several sessions and months.
For more in-depth details, check out this scientific research on non-surgical fat reduction.
At MD Body and Med Spa, we're proud to offer cutting-edge non-surgical options like Venus Versa Body Contouring, combining multiple advanced technologies into one powerful solution for comprehensive body shaping.
Benefits and Limitations of Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Non-surgical body contouring services have quickly become favorites among people looking for a safe and convenient way to reshape their bodies without the hassle of surgery. There's a lot to love about these treatments, but like anything, it's important to know their limits too.
Key Benefits
One of the best things about non-surgical body contouring is that there are no incisions or anesthesia involved. That means fewer risks compared to surgery, and you don't have to worry about the side effects or downtime that usually come with anesthesia.
Speaking of downtime, another huge perk is minimal to no recovery time. Most people can jump right back into their everyday lives after treatment—perfect if your schedule is as packed as your favorite yoga class!
Non-surgical body contouring treatments, like CoolSculpting, offer permanent fat cell reduction. Once those pesky fat cells are destroyed, they're gone for good. As long as you keep a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, your results can be long-lasting.
The results build up gradually over weeks or even months, creating natural-looking changes—no drastic overnight changes that scream, "Hey, look who just had a procedure!"
Non-surgical treatments also give you plenty of options by effectively targeting multiple areas of the body. Whether it's your belly, love handles, thighs, arms, back, or even under the chin, there's likely a solution custom to your needs.
And as a bonus, these treatments come with minimal discomfort. You might feel some tingling, cold, or warmth during the process—but compared to surgery, it's a walk in the park (well, maybe a brisk, slightly uncomfortable walk—but still manageable!).
Important Limitations
Now, let's talk about the other side of the coin—the limitations you should keep in mind.
Non-surgical body contouring procedures are not a weight loss solution. As one expert clearly states, "Body contouring works by destroying fat cells rather than inducing weight loss." These treatments help fine-tune your body shape, but they can't replace diet, exercise, or weight loss surgery if you need significant weight reduction.
The results you'll see from each session are typically modest, with about 20–25% fat reduction in the area treated. This means that if you're looking for a dramatic makeover, you might need several treatments, spaced weeks apart, to reach your goals.
Speaking of multiple sessions, patience is key—results show up gradually, typically within 3–6 months after treatment. It won't happen overnight, but sticking to it pays off beautifully in the long run.
It's also worth mentioning that non-surgical treatments aren't usually effective for significant skin laxity. While some methods can offer mild tightening, if you have a lot of extra skin, surgical methods might be a better choice.
Another important factor: your results depend largely on your lifestyle. As experts often remind us, "Results from non-surgical body contouring can last as long as a patient maintains his or her weight." So, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to preserving your new contours.
Finally, non-surgical contouring is not suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions, medications, or implanted devices might make specific treatments unsafe. That's why choosing a qualified provider and thorough consultation are absolutely essential.
At MD Body and Med Spa, we believe in transparency and helping you set realistic expectations. Our team in Greenwood Village, CO, provides thorough consultations to see if non-surgical body contouring is the right fit for you. We take the time to discuss your goals, medical history, and treatment options, so you leave confident and excited about your decision.
Popular Non-Surgical Body Contouring Treatments
At MD Body and Med Spa, we're all about helping you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin—without surgery or a long recovery period. That's why we've chosen advanced, proven treatments that deliver impressive results naturally. Let's take a closer look at two of the most popular non-surgical body contouring services we provide.
CoolSculpting: The #1 Non-Surgical Fat Loss Treatment
Have you ever wished you could just freeze away stubborn fat? Well, with CoolSculpting, that's exactly what happens—literally! As the most popular non-surgical fat reduction treatment worldwide (with over 8 million treatments performed globally), CoolSculpting safely removes those pesky fat cells using a method called cryolipolysis, or fat freezing.
Here's how it works: We use a specialized CoolSculpting device to deliver controlled cooling directly to your targeted fat deposits. This precise cooling gently freezes and destroys unwanted fat cells without affecting the surrounding skin or tissue. After the treatment, your body naturally flushes out these dead fat cells over the weeks and months that follow.
One of the best things about CoolSculpting is that the results are permanent—those fat cells are gone for good. Each session can reduce up to 25% of fat cells in the treated area. Sessions usually take only 35-60 minutes, making it easy to fit into even the busiest schedules.
CoolSculpting is especially effective at tackling stubborn fat in common problem zones, including the belly, love handles, thighs, back and bra area, arms, under the chin (goodbye double chin!), and even under the buttocks (banishing the infamous "banana roll").
And the icing on the cake? There's no surgery, needles, or downtime involved. You can get right back to your busy life right afterward.
Want to learn more about how CoolSculpting helps sculpt your body with cold science? Check out our informative guide on Cold Body Sculpting.
EmSculpt NEO: Combining Fat Reduction and Muscle Toning
If melting away fat and building muscle at the same time sounds almost too good to be true, let us introduce you to EmSculpt NEO. This innovative treatment is a true "two-for-one" deal—it reduces fat while simultaneously strengthening and toning your muscles.
EmSculpt NEO uses a one-of-a-kind combination of radiofrequency heating and High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology. The radiofrequency gently heats and destroys fat cells beneath your skin. Meanwhile, the HIFEM technology causes your muscles to contract rapidly, giving them a super-effective workout that you couldn't possibly achieve in the gym (we're talking approximately 20,000 sit-ups or squats per 30-minute session!).
The result? An average 30% reduction in fat combined with about a 25% increase in muscle mass. EmSculpt NEO is perfect for sculpting your abs, lifting and toning your buttocks, defining your arms, shaping your thighs, and even strengthening your calves.
Treatments are relaxing, comfortable, and—like CoolSculpting—require no downtime. You'll start noticing improvements within a few weeks, with full results typically visible about three months after your final session.
Ready to dive deeper into this unique body sculpting technique? Visit our dedicated Body Sculpting page for more details.
At MD Body and Med Spa, we're excited to offer these cutting-edge treatments to help you look and feel your absolute best, without ever needing to step into an operating room.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Body Contouring Services?
Not everyone is a perfect match for body contouring services, and understanding if you're an ideal candidate can save you time, money, and potential disappointment. The good news? Many people who are frustrated with stubborn fat or loose skin can benefit from these treatments.
The best candidates for body contouring share several key characteristics:
Stable Weight
You should be at or near your ideal weight and have maintained it for at least 3-6 months. Body contouring is not a weight loss solution – it's designed to refine your shape after you've already done the hard work of losing weight. As Sarah, one of our clients, shared, "I had lost 30 pounds through diet and exercise but still had stubborn belly fat. CoolSculpting helped me finally get the flat stomach I worked so hard for."
Good Overall Health
Your body needs to be healthy enough to heal properly after treatments. During your consultation at MD Body and Med Spa, we'll review your medical history to ensure you don't have conditions that might interfere with treatment or recovery. These might include bleeding disorders, certain autoimmune conditions, or active infections in the treatment area.
Realistic Expectations
Understanding what body contouring services can and cannot do is crucial. These treatments can help refine your silhouette and address specific trouble spots, but they won't completely transform your body or help you drop several clothing sizes. The most satisfied clients are those who have specific, achievable goals in mind.
Stubborn Fat Areas
If you have localized fat deposits that don't respond to diet and exercise – those annoying love handles, belly pooch, or bra bulge – you're likely an excellent candidate for non-surgical body contouring. These treatments excel at targeting these specific problem areas.
Minimal to Moderate Excess Skin
For non-surgical options, your skin should have good elasticity to contract smoothly after fat reduction. If you have significant loose skin (common after massive weight loss or multiple pregnancies), surgical options might be more appropriate. However, some non-surgical treatments do offer mild to moderate skin tightening benefits.
Commitment to a Healthy Lifestyle
The best candidates are committed to maintaining their results through proper nutrition and regular physical activity. While body contouring services can remove fat cells permanently, gaining significant weight afterward can affect your results as remaining fat cells can still expand.
Not Currently Pregnant or Planning Pregnancy Soon
If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant in the near future, it's best to wait before undergoing body contouring. Pregnancy will significantly change your body and potentially undo the results you've achieved.
At MD Body and Med Spa in Greenwood Village, CO, we believe in honest assessments. During your consultation, we'll help determine if you're an ideal candidate for the specific treatments you're interested in, or suggest alternatives that might better suit your needs and body type.
As Tom, another satisfied client, told us, "I appreciated that they didn't just try to sell me something. They actually suggested I lose another 10 pounds before starting treatment, which ultimately gave me much better results."
Good candidates come in all shapes and sizes – the key is having specific concerns that our treatments are designed to address, along with the right expectations about what can be achieved.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Body Contouring Services?
While body contouring services can deliver amazing results, they're not suitable for everyone. Knowing whether you're a good candidate helps set realistic expectations and ensures you get the best possible outcomes. So, let's break it down clearly:
Ideal Candidates for Non-Surgical Body Contouring
If you're considering non-surgical options like CoolSculpting or EmSculpt NEO, you're likely a great candidate if you're already at or near your ideal body weight (usually within about 10–20 pounds). These treatments aren't weight loss solutions—they're meant to target stubborn fat that doesn't respond to diet and exercise.
Non-surgical body contouring is perfect if you have specific areas you struggle with, like unwanted fat around your belly, thighs, upper arms, or under your chin. Good skin elasticity is also helpful because your skin will naturally tighten and smooth out after the fat disappears.
It's crucial to have realistic expectations. Non-surgical approaches typically lead to around a 20–25% fat reduction per session. Results appear gradually over 3–6 months, so patience (and excitement watching your body transform!) is key.
Lastly, maintaining a stable weight after treatment helps you preserve those impressive results. And of course, good overall health without conditions or medications that might interfere with these treatments is essential.
Ideal Candidates for Surgical Body Contouring
If you've lost a significant amount of weight or had major body changes after pregnancy, you might have extra loose skin that non-surgical treatments can't fully address. Surgical body contouring procedures, like tummy tucks or arm lifts, are specifically designed to tackle these issues.
Surgical candidates typically have extra skin and tissue that's causing discomfort or affecting their confidence. They're at a stable weight—ideally for at least six months to a year—since major weight fluctuations afterward can negatively impact results.
Because surgery involves anesthesia and recovery, being in good physical health matters even more. Avoiding smoking is also crucial since smoking can slow healing and increase complications. Like with non-surgical options, realistic expectations are a must: surgery offers dramatic improvements, but some scarring is inevitable, and results depend on your body type and skin quality.
Finally, surgical body contouring candidates should be ready to commit to a healthy lifestyle afterward. Maintaining your new shape involves regular physical activity and a balanced diet.
When Body Contouring May Not Be Right for You
While body contouring is fantastic for many people, it isn't the best choice for everyone. If you're significantly overweight or obese, body contouring won't replace weight loss—it works best after you've reached a healthier weight.
Body contouring treatments aren't suitable during pregnancy or for anyone planning to become pregnant soon. Certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, or active skin infections might also prevent you from safely undergoing treatments.
Some non-surgical approaches aren't safe if you have specific medical implants or devices. And if you're a smoker unwilling to quit before surgery, you may face serious risks and healing issues. Lastly, if you're expecting perfection or unrealistic outcomes, body contouring probably isn't the best fit. (We love miracles, but there are limits!)
Find Out if Body Contouring is Right for You
At MD Body and Med Spa in Greenwood Village, CO, we believe in honest, personalized recommendations. During a thorough consultation, we'll discuss your health, lifestyle, goals, and expectations. If body contouring isn't the perfect fit, we'll suggest alternatives or lifestyle adjustments first.
The bottom line: the best results come when you choose the right approach based on your unique needs. Our friendly experts are here to help you decide the best path forward—so you can feel confident, comfortable, and thrilled with your results.
What to Expect During a Body Contouring Consultation and Treatment Session
At MD Body and Med Spa in Greenwood Village, CO, we believe your body contouring journey should be comfortable, informative, and custom just for you. Let's talk through what to expect when you visit us for your body contouring services, from your initial consultation right through your treatment session.
The Consultation Process
Your journey starts with a friendly, no-pressure consultation. You'll meet one-on-one with one of our experienced providers who genuinely listens to your body goals and concerns. We'll discuss your medical history, including any health conditions, medications, or previous treatments that might impact the best choices for you.
Next up, we'll assess the areas you'd like to target. Your provider will look at factors such as your skin quality, fat distribution, and muscle tone to determine the most effective treatments. Together, we'll explore your options—covering both surgical and non-surgical body contouring techniques—to find the perfect fit.
We'll talk honestly about what you can expect. This includes how many sessions you'll need, how quickly you'll see results, and any limitations of specific procedures. Transparency matters to us, and our goal is to set clear, realistic expectations from the start.
Once we've established the ideal approach for your goals, we'll create a personalized treatment plan. This plan outlines areas to be treated, technologies we'll use, the number and timing of sessions, cost details, and clear instructions for both pre- and post-treatment care.
A well-informed patient is a happy patient! As one specialist puts it best: "During the consultation, an expert will review your concerns, evaluate your candidacy for treatments, discuss possible treatment plans, and provide details on cost, timing, and what to expect before, during, and after the treatment."
The Treatment Session
When treatment day arrives, we'll make sure you're completely comfortable and prepared. The exact experience depends on whether you're receiving non-surgical or surgical body contouring services.
Non-Surgical Treatment Sessions (like CoolSculpting or EmSculpt NEO)
For non-surgical treatments, you'll relax comfortably while we prepare the targeted area. Depending on your treatment, we might apply a special gel or coupling agent to help deliver the technology smoothly.
Then, we'll position the treatment applicator. With CoolSculpting, for instance, you'll feel a gentle suction as the applicator draws the tissue between cooling panels. Initially, you'll feel an intense chill before the area becomes numb. With EmSculpt NEO, you'll experience warm, muscle-stimulating sensations, almost like an intense workout—minus the sweat and gym clothes!
Most non-surgical treatments last between 30 and 60 minutes per area. Once we're finished, we may gently massage the area (common with CoolSculpting) before you're ready to head out. Feel free to return to work, errands, or whatever else your day holds—there's typically no downtime at all. Just be aware you might see some temporary redness, mild swelling, or sensitivity afterward, but these effects fade quickly.
Surgical Body Contouring Sessions
If surgery is part of your personalized plan, preparation is a bit more involved. You'll receive clear instructions beforehand about fasting, medications, and when to arrive at the surgical facility.
On surgery day, you'll receive anesthesia (general or local with sedation), ensuring you're comfortable during the procedure. Your surgeon will carefully make incisions, remove excess skin or fat, possibly tighten muscles, and then close your incisions with sutures.
Afterward, you'll rest in a recovery area where medical staff will closely monitor you. Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may go home the same day or stay overnight. We'll clearly explain your aftercare steps, ensuring you feel confident and supported throughout recovery.
Want to learn more about innovative treatments like SQulpt? Check out our detailed guide on Squlpt Body Shaping.
At MD Body and Med Spa, your comfort, safety, and satisfaction are our top priorities. We'll be with you every step of the way, making sure your body contouring services experience is as easy and stress-free as possible.
Results and Recovery
Knowing what to expect from your body contouring services—both in terms of final results and recovery time—can help you move forward with confidence. Here at MD Body and Med Spa, we make sure you know exactly what's coming, so there are no surprises (except the happy kind!).
Results Timeline for Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Non-surgical treatments like CoolSculpting and EmSculpt NEO deliver gradual results as your body naturally flushes away those stubborn fat cells. While you won't see dramatic changes overnight, you might notice subtle improvements as early as 3–4 weeks after your first session.
In the weeks that follow, these changes continue to develop. By about 3–6 months, you'll be able to see your optimal results. Most people get the best outcome after multiple sessions—usually around 2–4 treatments spaced several weeks apart. Think of it as a series of little victories leading to a big win!
One benefit our clients love is that this gradual process makes the results look completely natural (and your secret stays safe with us!).
Recovery After Non-Surgical Body Contouring
The beauty of non-surgical body contouring services is there's practically zero downtime. Seriously—most of our clients head straight back to work, errands, or even their yoga class right after treatment. No hiding out at home is needed, unless you want to binge-watch your favorite series (no judgment here).
You might experience mild redness, swelling, or occasional tingling in the treated areas. These side effects typically fade away within hours or a few days. If you feel any minor discomfort, it's usually nothing an over-the-counter pain reliever can't handle.
The bottom line: non-surgical treatments make it easy to fit body contouring into your busy life.
Results Timeline for Surgical Body Contouring
With surgical procedures like tummy tucks, thigh lifts, or arm lifts, you'll see a noticeable change immediately after surgery. However, initial results will be masked by swelling, which is totally normal after these procedures.
Most swelling goes down within the first 6–12 weeks, and you'll get a clear glimpse of your exciting new body shape. But know that complete healing and the final results can take around 6–12 months. Good things take time, and trust us, it's worth the wait!
Unlike non-surgical options, surgical procedures usually need just one surgery per area. Of course, if you're looking to reshape multiple spots, your surgeon may recommend staging treatments over several sessions.
Recovery After Surgical Body Contouring
Let's be honest—surgical recovery is a bit more involved. Immediately after surgery, your surgeon will likely place small surgical drains to remove excess fluid; these typically stay in for about 1–2 weeks. You'll also wear compression garments for roughly 6–8 weeks to reduce swelling, speed healing, and provide support.
You'll need plenty of rest at first, and expect some activity restrictions—minimal movement and no heavy lifting for the first several weeks. Most patients take 1–3 weeks off work, depending on how extensive the surgery is and what your job involves. You'll probably need prescription pain medication for the initial days or weeks to keep you comfortable.
As your body heals, the soreness usually lasts around 4–6 weeks, with full recovery taking several months. Patience, rest, and lots of Netflix help make this journey easier!
Following Aftercare Instructions
Whether you choose surgical or non-surgical body contouring services, the secret to great results is sticking closely to your aftercare instructions. At MD Body and Med Spa, we provide clear and personalized steps to help you maximize your outcome and minimize complications.
From knowing how to gently clean incision sites to understanding when you can safely return to the gym, we'll guide you every step of the way. After all, your comfort, happiness, and results are our top priority!
Maintaining Results after Body Contouring Treatments
You've invested in body contouring services—now, let's talk about how to keep those amazing results around for the long haul. While body contouring treatments can give you impressive shape improvements, keeping your new look is largely up to you. Think of it like getting a fresh haircut: your stylist can make you look great, but you’re still in charge of daily styling!
The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle
Body contouring treatments get rid of fat cells or loose skin for good, but they can't stop your remaining fat cells from growing if your weight goes up. As the saying goes, "Results from non-surgical body contouring can last as long as a patient maintains his or her weight."
One of the most important things you can do is maintain a stable weight. Gaining or losing significant weight after treatment can affect your results, causing remaining fat cells to expand or skin to loosen again. Try to keep your weight within 5–10 pounds of where you were after treatment.
Eating well is a key part of this. Aim for a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, fruits and veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats. Limit sugar and processed foods, and don't underestimate the power of staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps your skin stay elastic and your body healthy overall.
Exercise is crucial too, but there’s no need for Olympic-level workouts (unless you're into that!). Getting regular exercise, including both cardio (think brisk walks, cycling, swimming, or dancing) and strength training, helps keep your body toned and prevents fat gain in treated areas.
Other lifestyle habits matter as well. Keep alcohol consumption moderate, since too much can lead to extra calories and inflammation. And if you smoke, quitting now will do wonders—not just for your overall health but also for your skin’s elasticity and appearance.
Specific Maintenance Strategies by Treatment Type
Not all body contouring services are the same, so maintaining results can depend on which procedure you've had.
For treatments that permanently remove fat cells (like CoolSculpting), the good news is those destroyed fat cells are gone for good! But remember: the remaining fat cells can still expand if you gain weight. Staying close to your post-treatment weight is your best bet for keeping that toned look.
If you've chosen something like EmSculpt NEO, which builds muscle as well as reduces fat, the muscle gains typically stick around for about 6–12 months. Regular strength training can help maintain that impressive muscle tone, and many clients opt for maintenance treatments every 3–6 months to keep their results in tip-top shape.
Skin tightening treatments usually last around 1–2 years. To extend these results, protecting your skin from the sun and using skincare products with retinol and peptides can be helpful. Many people also choose annual maintenance treatments to keep their skin looking firm and youthful.
If you've undergone surgical body contouring, your results can last for many years—with proper care. Significant weight changes or pregnancy after abdominal procedures can affect these results and might mean considering revision surgery down the road.
When to Consider Maintenance Treatments
Let's face it—none of us can completely beat gravity or aging. Even if you're doing everything right, you might notice subtle changes several months or years after your treatment. That's normal!
You might consider booking maintenance sessions if you start noticing little changes in the treated area, have experienced modest weight fluctuations, or it's been 1–2 years since your original treatments. These follow-up sessions can refresh and even improve the results you initially achieved.
At MD Body and Med Spa in Greenwood Village, CO, we believe in personalized care. We'll work with you to create a maintenance plan custom to your lifestyle, goals, and budget. Our happiest clients find it’s that combination of effective treatments, healthy living, and occasional touch-up sessions that really keep their results looking amazing.
As one satisfied client told us (with a smile), "The secret to keeping my results wasn't just the initial treatments, but also sticking to healthy habits and coming back every so often to keep everything looking fresh and toned."
Taking care of your body contouring results doesn't have to be overwhelming. A balanced lifestyle, a bit of attention, and occasional maintenance treatments go a long way in keeping you confident in your beautifully contoured body.
Frequently Asked Questions about Body Contouring Services
How long does it take to see results from body contouring procedures?
If you're considering body contouring services, you're probably wondering when you'll start seeing changes in your body. The truth is, your results timeline depends significantly on which type of procedure you choose.
With non-surgical treatments, patience is key. You might notice subtle changes as early as 3-4 weeks after your first session, but these are just the beginning. Your body needs time to naturally process and eliminate the treated fat cells. Most people see their results continue to improve steadily over 2-3 months, with the final, most dramatic results appearing around the 3-6 month mark.
"Many of our clients are surprised that their best results come several months after treatment," explains Rachel Stone, CEO of MD Body and Med Spa. "It's like watching a flower bloom – gradual but worth the wait."
Most non-surgical treatments also require multiple sessions – typically 2-4 treatments spaced several weeks apart – to achieve the optimal outcome you're looking for.
If you opt for surgical body contouring, the timeline looks different. You'll see immediate changes after surgery, but they'll initially be masked by swelling. Most significant swelling subsides within 6-12 weeks, but your final results may take 6-12 months to fully develop as all swelling resolves and your tissues settle into their new contours.
The silver lining to this gradual change? Your results appear natural. Friends and family might comment that you look great without realizing you've had any work done – they'll just assume your diet and exercise routine is really working!
Are the results of non-surgical body contouring permanent?
This is one of our most common questions, and the answer is both yes and no.
For fat-reduction treatments like CoolSculpting, the results are technically permanent because the destroyed fat cells are eliminated from your body and don't regenerate. Once they're gone, they're gone for good.
However – and this is important – "permanent" comes with a significant caveat. The remaining fat cells throughout your body can still enlarge if you gain weight. As one of our specialists often tells clients, "Body contouring services give you a head start, but maintaining your results is a team effort between you and your body."
What this means in practical terms:
Your treated areas will always have fewer fat cells than they would have had without treatment
Even if you gain some weight, treated areas may remain proportionally smaller than untreated areas
However, significant weight gain can still affect your results as remaining fat cells expand
For treatments that build muscle or tighten skin rather than reduce fat, results typically last 6-12 months before maintenance treatments are recommended.
The bottom line? The best way to make your results last is to maintain a stable weight through healthy eating and regular exercise after your treatment. Your body contouring investment works best when paired with healthy habits.
What are the potential risks of body contouring services?
While body contouring services are generally safe in the hands of qualified providers, it's important to understand the potential risks before proceeding with any treatment.
For non-surgical treatments, most side effects are mild and temporary. You might experience redness, swelling, bruising, tingling, or numbness in the treated area, but these typically resolve within days. Each technology has its own specific considerations too. With CoolSculpting, there's a rare condition called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (where fat increases instead of decreases) that occurs in about 0.0051% of treatments. Radiofrequency treatments carry a small risk of burns if not properly administered, while ultrasound technologies might cause temporary nerve irritation.
"The technology is only as good as the provider using it," notes our lead aesthetician. "That's why we invest so heavily in training and certification for our team."
Surgical body contouring naturally carries more significant risks. These include potential surgical complications like infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, and blood clots. There are also anesthesia-related risks ranging from nausea to more serious complications. Some patients experience aesthetic concerns like asymmetry or visible scarring, and sensory changes such as temporary or permanent numbness in treated areas are possible.
At MD Body and Med Spa in Greenwood Village, we take several important steps to minimize these risks:
First, we conduct thorough consultations to understand your health history and ensure you're a good candidate for your chosen treatment. Our providers are all certified and experienced with our technologies, and we use only FDA-cleared, state-of-the-art equipment. We develop customized treatment plans for each client rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, and we provide comprehensive aftercare instructions to support your healing process.
The single most important factor in reducing risks is choosing a reputable provider with specific experience in the body contouring treatment you're considering. When you visit our med spa, you can feel confident you're in experienced, caring hands.
Conclusion
As we've explored throughout this guide, body contouring services offer incredible opportunities to reshape your body and boost your confidence. Whether you're interested in targeting stubborn fat, tightening loose skin, or building muscle definition, today's cutting-edge treatments make it easier than ever to achieve the contours you desire—without surgery or significant downtime.
At MD Body and Med Spa in Greenwood Village, CO, we've truly seen the transformative power that these treatments can have—not just physically, but in how our clients feel about themselves. Our favorite phrase, "No surgery, no downtime, permanent results," rings true for many happy clients who are now enjoying their newly sculpted silhouettes.
But what really sets our approach to body contouring services apart?
First and foremost, we believe in personalization. Every person's body, goals, and lifestyle are unique. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we create customized treatment plans specifically custom to your needs.
We also pride ourselves on our team's expertise. Our certified professionals love what they do and invest consistently in training and education to stay at the forefront of aesthetic medicine. We pair this expertise with advanced, FDA-cleared technologies to help ensure you're getting the safest, most effective treatments available.
When you visit MD Body and Med Spa, you're not just a number to us—you're a valued individual, and we promise to provide comprehensive care every step of the way. From your first consultation through your final results and beyond, we're here to support and guide you with warmth and genuine care.
We also believe strongly in providing honest recommendations. Sometimes that means suggesting combining treatments for the best results or even recommending lifestyle adjustments before starting treatments. Trust and transparency are core values in our practice.
Of course, as wonderful as these procedures are, maintaining your beautiful results is a team effort. While body contouring can eliminate fat cells and tighten your skin, keeping those results long-term comes down to healthy living. Staying active, eating nutritious meals, and maintaining a stable weight are key components of making your treatment results last.
Whether you're looking to freeze away stubborn fat with our popular CoolSculpting, build muscle tone and reduce fat simultaneously with EmSculpt NEO, or simply explore what's possible, we're here to help.
Visit our All Services page to see everything we offer beyond body contouring.
Your journey toward a healthier, more confident you starts today. We'd be honored to partner with you in bringing out your best self—inside and out.
