Getting the Most From Your Non-Surgical Procedure

One of the great benefits of plastic surgery forum websites such as RealSelf is the availability of accurate information from well-trained surgeons. I often contribute to these websites, and I’ve noticed a recent increase in the number of questions regarding non-surgical alternatives to procedures such as liposuction. Whether you’re in the Naples-Fort Myers area or another region of the U.S., it’s important to understand that non-surgical procedures are often only effective if the person administering the treatment possesses adequate training and experience.

Two liposuction alternatives that consistently provide beneficial results for patients at my practice are CoolSculpting® and Vanquish™. While these options use advanced technology to target small pockets of fat, they require a skilled individual to not only perform the treatment, but to also provide honest information regarding what a patient can expect. Because both treatments are completely non-surgical, patients typically undergo multiple sessions to achieve their cosmetic goals. Therefore, one of the first steps in getting the most from your non-surgical procedure is setting realistic expectations by consulting a qualified medical professional.

Once you’ve found a practice or medical spa overseen by a board-certified plastic surgeon, it’s important to consider all treatments available for the area you would like to enhance. I commonly read reviews from patients who were actually candidates for a surgical procedure, but their practitioners instead performed a non-surgical alternative. If I know that a patient won’t be able to achieve the look that she or he desires with a procedure such as CoolSculpting, I will openly advise the patient to consider more invasive options. While I risk the individual leaving to find a practitioner who will perform the non-surgical treatment, I want people who walk through my doors to know that they will be given accurate and honest information.

Many patients find that combining non-surgical treatments can delay the need for cosmetic surgery or enhance the results of a previously performed procedure. Either way, getting the most out of your non-surgical treatment can easily be a fun and rewarding experience if you actively seek out the quality advice that you would when considering surgical enhancement.

For a list of questions I’ve answered for patients from all over the U.S., view my RealSelf profile.