Body Contouring 101: Which Treatment is Right for You?

There are so many different treatments and procedures available.We know that it can sometimes be confusing to know which treatment is right for you. Whether you are looking for a surgical or non-surgical body contouring option, our Vancouver-area professionals will find the best fit for you. Your customized treatment plan will be designed based on your timeline for results, availability to come into the office, and your desired results.

What is the best body sculpting procedure?

As a plastic surgeon-led medical spa, we pride ourselves on offering not just the trendy “treatment-of-the-day” but the most effective, scientifically-proven treatments on the market. Dr. Mathew Mosher reviews and evaluates the science-based evidence for all potential treatment options, and selects only the best and most effective ones for our practice.

At YES Medspa & Cosmetic Surgery Centre, we offer non-surgical treatments that require little to no downtime.  These treatments provide small incremental changes over the course of 6 to 12 weeks and are a great option for smaller changes. When discussing fat reduction, sometimes small incremental changes is better for your body because it will reduce the risk of exasperating skin laxity by removing excess volume too quickly.

That being said, surgery remains the gold standard for any body contouring results. Through surgery, your surgeon has the opportunity to tailor your shape to meet your desired outcomes with more consistency than with non-surgical treatments. However, surgical procedures have the trade off of require time off to rest and recover and potentially visible surgical scars to the area. Your surgeon will do their best to place your surgical scar in a discreet area so that it is not visible in everyday interactions.

We have outlined the treatments available at YES to help you in your initial treatment research.

Nonsurgical Options

EVOLVE

EVOLVE is the latest technology Health Canada and US FDA approved for non-invasive body contouring. This versatile and powerful platform has multiple treatment modalities to TRANSFORM excess fat, TITE-n loose skin and TONE your muscles.

TRANSFORM– The fat reduction component to the EVOLVE platform – combines radio-frequency energy,  and a comfortable energy pulse to permanently destroys unwanted fat cells and stimulate muscle contractions.  TRANSFORM is best suited for soft, pinchable fat to the abdomen, flanks, arms & thighs. TRANSFORM treatments take 15 minutes to complete per area, with no downtime. This is a very comfortable treatment and the suction component feels like a massage! A series of 6 weekly treatments will be recommended and final results will show 8-12 weeks after the last treatment. Clinical studies have shown an average of 30% subcutaneous fat reduction! 

Results achieve with 5 Evolve TRIM treatments

TITE – The skin tightening component on the EVOLVE platform – uses bi-polar radio-frequency energy to heat the tissue to a comfortable, uniform 43 degrees Celsius. Unlike other devices which can lead to hot and cold spots, Evolve TITE adjusts each applicator multiple times per second to make these treatments more comfortable and effective. TITE is best suited for loose crepey skin to the abdomen, arms, braline and thighs. TITE treatments take 30 minutes to complete, with no downtime and much like the TRIM, is a very comfortable treatment. A series of 6 weekly sessions is required to achieve approximately 15% skin contraction, with final results showing 8-12 weeks after the final treatment.

Results achieved with a series of EVOLVE TITE treatments (Photos provided by InMode Esthetics)

TONE is the muscle toning component to EVOLVE (just approved in Canada). It uses electromagnetic energy to target and stimulate the deeper muscle layers causing involuntary muscle contractions. The treatment is designed to increase muscle strength and refine the appearance of your muscles. TONE is best suited for the abdomen and buttocks. A series of 4-6 treatments are recommended. COMING SOON TO YES MEDSPA, STAY TUNED! 

SculpSure®

This non-surgical fat reduction treatment uses thermal laser energy to destroy fat cells without harming the skin or surrounding tissues. SculpSure® is best suited for the flanks and abdomen, but also treats smaller areas such as the bra line. Many patients can see up to a 25% reduction in the treated fat after one treatment; however, for optimum results 2 treatments are recommended spaced 6-8 weeks apart. The final results of SculpSure® are gradually revealed over the next 12 weeks. There is also no downtime, so you can return to your daily routine right away.

Results achieved with 2 SculpSure treatments

Venus Legacy™

This multipurpose, non-surgical treatment uses radio-frequency energy, electro-magnetic pulses, and gentle suction to tighten skin and improve the appearance of cellulite. These complementary energies result in the stimulation of collagen and elastic fibres which give the skin a tighter, more youthful appearance. We recommend 6-8 treatments for the face and neck, and 10-12 treatments for the body, spaced one week apart to reveal optimal results. A Maintenance treatments every 4 months will assist with maintaining your results.

Results achieved with 10 Venus Legacy treatments

Surgical Options

Smartlipo™

Dr. Mosher was the first physician in Western Canada to offer this innovative form of liposuction, and today, it is still a patient favourite.  Smartlipo is a variation of liposuction that uses laser energy to first emulsify unwanted fat cells, making the removal process easier and gentler on the body. This treatment is appropriate for reducing unwanted fat under the chin, on the abdomen, flanks, arms, buttocks, hips, and thighs. The laser energy can also cause collagen stimulation and mild tissue tightening, resulting in the appearance of firmer skin in the newly sculpted area. Recovery is typically brief and comfortable. Expect to return to non-strenuous daily activities within the first few days, and return to work within 3 to 5 days. Most patients see results within the first few weeks after treatment, with continuing improvement over the next several months.

SmartLipo performed by Dr. Mosher to Abdomen & Chest
SmartLipo performed by Dr. Mosher to Neck & Jawline

Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a surgical procedure design to address the loose skin, stretched muscles, and excess fat which cause the bulging and sagging of the abdominal area. Many of our patients are bothered by excess skin after pregnancy or weight loss that cannot be improved with diet and exercise.

Abdominoplasty surgery is performed under a light general anesthetic in our surgery centre. All approaches to abdominoplasty involve an incision above the pubic area which extends horizontally across the lower abdomen. The length of the incision depends on the degree of excess tissue present. Every effort is made to carefully place the incision so that the scar is rarely visible with most bathing suits or underwear.

Since the surgery often involves repairing muscle tissue, the recovery period is longer and more restrictive than other cosmetic surgery procedures. You will be encouraged to begin moving and walking within one to two days, with light activity becoming comfortable in approximately 10 to 20 days, depending on the extent of your surgery. Strenuous exercise is not recommended for 6 weeks after surgery. You can learn more about the procedure in our related blog post.

Standard Abdominoplasty performed by Dr. Mosher.

Cellulaze™

YES Medspa & Cosmetic Surgery Centre, was the first in the area to offer this exciting treatment for cellulite reduction. Although Cellulaze™ is performed in the operating room under a light general anesthesia, it is minimally invasive. Cellulaze™ is best suited for the thighs and buttocks, where cellulite tends to be concentrated. Results can be seen after a single treatment, and most patients return to light daily activities after 24-hours. Patients may return to more strenuous activities after approximately 10 days. Keep in mind that the results of Cellulaze™ gradually appear over time as the skin of the treated area thickens and smooths. Cellulaze™ is best suited for deeper, isolated dimples or “cottage cheese” looking skin. “Wavy” cellulite is more difficult to correct, but best treated with non-surgical modalities such as Venus Legacy or Evolve TITE.

Cellulaze performed by Dr. Mosher to Lateral (outer) thighs

Body Contouring Treatments At-a-Glance:

  Surgical or Non-Surgical Areas What it does Recovery # of Treatments
Evolve Transform Non-Surgical Abdomen, Flanks, Thighs, Arms, Braline Reduces unwanted fat, improves muscle tone None 4-6 weekly treatments
SculpSure Non-Surgical Abdomen, Flanks, Thighs, Braline Reduces unwanted fat None 2-3, spaced 6-8 weeks apart
SmartLipo Surgical Neck and Chin, abdomen, flanks, arms, buttocks, thighs Reduces unwanted fat 1 – 2 days off work, 2 weeks off exercise 1
Abdominoplasty Surgical Abdomen Tightens skin and can correct diastasis recti 10-15 days off work, 6 weeks off exercise 1
Evolve Tone Non-Surgical Abdomen, Buttocks Improves muscle tone None 4-6 bi-weekly treatments
Evolve Tite Non-Surgical Abdomen, Flanks, Braline, Thighs, Knees, Arms Improves skin quality, reduces wrinkles, tightens skin, improves cellulite None 8-10 weekly treatments
Morpheus 8 Non-Surgical Abdomen, Braline, Thighs, Knees, Arms Improves skin quality, reduces wrinkles, tightens skin, improves cellulite

1-5 days redness/swelling

2-5 weeks mild discoloration/swelling depending on area

3-4 monthly treatments
Cellulaze Surgical Buttocks, Thighs Reduces appearance of cellulite 1 day off work, 10 days off exercise 1

There are many body contouring treatments available, and we’re happy to discuss all your non-surgical and plastic surgery options at our Vancouver practice, YES Medspa & Cosmetic Surgery Centre. Based on the degree of improvement, your time frame for results, your schedule, and your preferred recovery, the team at YES will be able to customize Your Esthetic Solutions.

Call (604) 888-9378 to schedule your consultation or click here to begin.

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