Body contouring, or body sculpting, can eliminate fat, shape areas of the body and tighten skin. Lipolysis is a nonsurgical option that uses cold, heat, lasers and other methods.

Body contouring does not usually help you lose weight. Instead, it helps shape the body and address specific areas where weight loss isn’t effective or after significant weight loss results in extra skin.

There are several lipolysis methods:

• Cryolipolysis uses very cold temperatures to destroy fat cells

• Injection lipolysis involves putting deoxycholic acid into the body to target fat cells.

• Laser lipolysis uses lasers to destroy fat cells

• Radiofrequency lipolysis uses ultrasound waves and heat to target fat cells 

• Ultrasound uses high-intensity, focused sound waves to disrupt fat calls, causing them to dissolve gradually over time. 

Body contouring can target most areas of the body. Common sites include:

• Arms.

• Back.

• Belly and flanks (love handles).

• Buttocks.

• Neck and chin.

• Thighs.

Nonsurgical options have much shorter recovery times. Most people go back to work and other activities immediately after the treatment.