Summer is almost here, so it’s time to peel off the layers and head for the pool or beach. The warmer weather can renew anxiety regarding the body if what’s underneath winter clothes isn’t “beach ready,” but there’s no need to stress! There’s still time to tweak up your look with plastic surgery to get the body you want for fun in the sun.
As Temperatures Rise, So Do Insecurities
The calendar says its time for surf, sand and plunges in the pool. Bathing suit season means fun for most, but leaves some dreading putting on the bikini or slipping into the swim trunks. As the temperature rises, so can insecurities about the body or face. It’s a reality that board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Camp experiences this time of year in his Fort Worth practice. “Women and men want to look good and feel good, especially in swim wear,” says Camp.
Dr. Camp says when warmer weather rolls around, many people start to look for answers about how to feel more confident wearing fewer clothes. Many of those who want a better body for summer, he says, are men. “A lot of times men, when they get ready to go to the beach and they aren’t wearing a buttoned up collared shirt and neck tie, feel vulnerable or exposed wearing t-shirts.”
In addition to actual surgery, there are non-surgical options to help men and women get rid of unwanted fat in areas that might be more hidden during cool weather months. “Sometimes CoolSculpting is a great answer and sometimes Kybella is just right.” The former, CoolSculpting, is a non-invasive fat removal process that kills fat cells by cooling them down. Kybella is an injectable that dissolves fat in the neck.
Camp says both procedures require very little down time and are effective for melting (or freezing) away unwanted fat.
Get Beach Ready, Early
It’s never too soon to start thinking about your summer shape. While sometimes counter intuitive, patients are in pretty good to great shape get the most out of plastic surgery procedures. That last bastion of fat or loose skin can be removed surgically to get your body past the summer goal line.
Experts say if you are considering a surgical procedure like a tummy tuck, liposuction or breast augmentation, consider leaving an appropriate amount of time to recover from scarring, bruising or swelling. You won’t want to slip into the latest summer fashions until you are fully healed. It’s part of the reason many people get a head start perking up their summer look. “They just don’t want to come in around the holidays, but after the first of the year, it’s different,” says Dr. Caroline Glicksman, a board certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey.
Glicksman knows that feeling comfortable in summer wear is important for many people in the beach community where she practices. She says she sees the uptick every new year from patients who like to plan ahead to look good. “Come January, I am booked with Coolsculpting, laser hair removal and laser veins,” she shares.
Glicksman says her patients are very tuned into the options for looking good when the sun shines. “Everybody is just getting ready for the Jersey shore summer.”
It’s Not Too Late
There’s a wide variety of cosmetic procedures that can be used to get bathing suit ready for the summer, and many without surgery. Men and women can be embarrassed by excess fat in the lower abdomen, or even worse, the seemingly exercise-resistant “love handles”.
Dr. Patricia McGuire, a board certified plastic surgeon in St. Louis, also advises CoolSculpting for patients looking for fat removal options sans surgery, but she says there is a drawback. “It does take about 4-6 weeks to see improvement, so if someone is considering it, they better get it done soon to see summer results,” she explains.
Beyond fat removal, facial rejuvenation can also be achieved in a quick procedure with results showing rapidly. Every plastic surgeon who offers these products will follow up with a stern prescription of suncreen to keep that skin protected and healthy whilst bathing in the sun.
The sun is ready to shine and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t, too!