Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Skin Restoration and Laser Institute

Middle-age for most of us brings about change in one way or another. It typically shows up on your doorstep with an under-handed series of hits to the ego that completely blind-side you.   Suddenly, you find yourself in the “it’s time for your colonoscopy” category, which let’s face it, I’ve yet to meet another human who is excited about that promotion.  You trade in sinusitis for arthritis, begin to complain about lack of wholesome television programming today.  You find yourself searching for the nearest teenager to explain this modern social technology, wondering “why anyone with any good sense would waste their time with “Tweeter, Snaptrist” 😉  and the rest of them. Doesn’t anyone protect their privacy anymore?”

Along with these delightful changes, middle-age often brings about some physical changes too.  It’s like you wake up one morning to find that your abs of steel or lady curves have been replaced with a bulging, muffin top. There are several factors that contribute to the development of the muffin top that moves in and obliterates what was once an hour-glass waistline or fit male physique.

• Heredity
• Hormonal changes (that topic deserves it’s own blog post, maybe two or three!)
• Lifestyle or life choices.

Many of Dr. Castillo’s patients arrive for consultation at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center in Champaign, asking if liposuction can help reduce their “middle-age muffin tops.”  Liposuction, also called liposculpture, is often the solution to many muffin top issues without the need for more extensive surgery such as a tummy tuck.  (For more information about choosing between the two procedures, read my Liposculpture vs. Abdominoplasty blog post.) However, in most cases, it is important to understand that removing fat only from the abdomen and ignoring the bulk of the surrounding torso will not give you the results you envision.

Excess fatty tissue in the abdominal area is most often accompanied by excess fatty tissue (even if at a lesser degree) of the hips (love handles), back, waist and the lateral thighs.  As Dr. Castillo once told me, “During liposuction, it’s not the fat you take out that counts, it’s what you leave behind.” I think that principle applies here.  In order to sculpt out the sensuous, proportionate curves of an hour-glass shape, you must also address any bulk of the hips, back and waist that exist. For our male patients, the same applies.  It is difficult to create the fit, well-proportioned contour of a male physique when excess fatty tissue in surrounding areas is left untreated.

Patients who choose body contouring through liposculpture to restore and define a slim waist of youth often report not only being happy with their new body shape but find that it is a great source of motivation to lead a healthier lifestyle with better exercise and diet choices, increasing their overall quality of life.

To meet with Dr. Castillo and learn more about body contouring options, request a consultation or call us at 217-359-7508.

Roxanne Grace

Skincare and Laser Specialist

G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

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800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)