After a gray, cold Virginia winter, most of us look forward longingly to the warmer summer months. But with summer sun comes summer fashions — and if you’re feeling less than confident about your body, it can also come with some feelings of anxiety and self-consciousness.
Sure, diet and exercise can help (and they’re good for your health, too). But sometimes, you need a little extra help to get your body in swimsuit-ready shape. The good news is our team can help.
At Sanctuary Cosmetic Center, Soheila Rostami, MD, FAAO, FAACS, offers four main options for slimming down that can help you get your body ready for summer: CoolSculpting®, liposuction, Liposonix®, and semaglutide injections. This post offers an overview of each option to help you decide which method is best for you.
Coolsculpting uses a special technique called cryolipolysis to “freeze” fat away. During a CoolSculpting session, we use a special device to administer cold energy through your skin directly to the fat cells.
The cold energy makes fat cell walls brittle, while gentle suction helps target fat cells, leaving surrounding tissue unharmed. Over time, the brittle cell walls break down, and the fatty debris is removed by your body, leaving slimmer contours behind.
Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses very small incisions and a special suction device to gently remove excess fatty tissue. Depending on the technique that’s best for you, suction can be used alone or in combination with laser or ultrasound energy.
Even though it removes fat, liposuction is not intended for weight loss; instead, it’s an ideal solution for body contouring, eliminating stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise and aren’t appropriate for other minimally invasive or noninvasive body contouring treatments.
After liposuction, you can expect some swelling, bruising, and minor discomfort while the area heals. Most people resume most regular activities within about a week, with final results visible in about 3-4 months.
Liposonix is a nonsurgical alternative to liposuction that uses high-intensity ultrasound energy administered through your skin. Most treatments take an hour or less, after which there’s no downtime — you can resume your regular activities right away.
Liposonix is intended for body contouring, not significant weight loss like liposuction. It’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to slim down targeted areas, especially around the belly and waist.
If you need to lose a more noticeable amount of weight, semaglutide injections can be a good choice. Initially developed as a therapy for Type 2 diabetes, semaglutide improves your body’s metabolism, helping your body use (and eliminate) blood sugar more effectively.
Semaglutide also alters your appetite, helping you feel full longer so you eat less. Injections are self-administered just under your skin, avoiding veins and muscles. Your dosing schedule will be adjusted to your needs.
Each of these options offers specific benefits focused on helping you slim down. Although they each act in different ways, they all have one thing in common: They all take time to show results.
In fact, most people experience optimal results within weeks or months of initial treatment. Starting your weight-loss treatment plan now helps ensure your body is ready once warm weather finally returns.
Our team also offers treatments specifically aimed at tightening up your skin. These treatments can be ideal for anyone who’s lost weight but is still frustrated by loose or sagging skin.
To learn more about all these options and how they can help you reach your summer goals, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Sanctuary Cosmetic Center in McLean, Virginia, today.
