Not all areas of excess fat are the result of weight gain. Even with consistent diet and exercise, some parts of the body may hold onto fat due to genetics, hormones, or natural body shape. These stubborn areas often don’t respond to typical weight loss efforts, no matter how disciplined your routine may be.
At Shaheen Vascular in Mountain View and San Jose, CA, we offer non-surgical body contouring with SculpSure® to help reduce fat in areas that are difficult to target through lifestyle changes alone. This treatment uses laser energy to heat and damage fat cells and is a practical option for patients who are at or near their ideal weight but still have areas they want to refine.
What Is Body Contouring?
Body contouring is any non-surgical treatment that reduces fat in specific areas. These treatments focus on reshaping the body rather than causing overall weight loss. The goal is to create a more balanced or refined silhouette by targeting areas like the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or under the chin. Unlike surgical procedures, body contouring treatments typically require little to no downtime.
What Is SculpSure?
SculpSure is a laser-based body contouring treatment that uses heat to destroy fat cells beneath the skin. Each session lasts about 25 minutes per treatment area and can address multiple zones in a single visit. The applicators are placed directly on the skin where they deliver controlled energy without damaging surrounding tissue. Treated fat cells are gradually removed by the body over the following weeks.
How Does Body Contouring Work?
SculpSure uses a specific wavelength of laser energy that targets adipose tissue while keeping the skin cool through built-in contact cooling. The heat raises the temperature of fat cells to the point of structural disruption without affecting nerves or muscles. As the cells break down, your lymphatic system begins processing and removing them. This gradual elimination process results in a noticeable reduction in fat volume that is precise, consistent, and safe for the surrounding tissue.
What Areas Can We Treat With Body Contouring?
- Abdomen: Fat around the midsection can be stubborn due to hormonal factors, stress, or a slow metabolism. Even with a consistent workout routine, this area often resists change and is one of the most commonly treated zones with body contouring.
- Flanks: Also known as “love handles,” fat along the sides of the waist can accumulate even in people with an otherwise lean frame. This area is especially responsive to SculpSure due to the way the applicators fit the contours of the body.
- Thighs: Inner and outer thigh fat may linger because of genetics or lifestyle, and spot-reducing it through exercise alone is rarely effective. Non-surgical treatment allows for a more even appearance without the bulkiness of added muscle.
- Back: Fat on the upper or lower back can become more noticeable with age or after weight fluctuations. It often gathers around the bra line or below the ribs and is a frustrating area for patients trying to smooth their silhouette.
- Chin: Submental fullness, or fat under the chin, can be influenced by genetics regardless of body size. Treating this area can sharpen the profile and reduce the appearance of a double chin without surgery.
The Ideal Candidates for Body Contouring With SculpSure
SculpSure is best suited for patients who are close to their ideal body weight but have specific areas of fat that resist diet and exercise. Ideal candidates typically have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or below, though patients with a BMI of up to 49 may still qualify depending on fat distribution and treatment goals.
This treatment works well for patients looking to reduce volume in targeted areas rather than seeking overall weight loss. It’s not designed as a substitute for bariatric procedures or weight management programs. Candidates should have good skin elasticity, as SculpSure is not designed to tighten skin.
Patients who are pregnant, have active skin infections in the treatment area, or have certain medical implants (like pacemakers) may not be good candidates. A consultation is necessary to review your medical history and determine whether this approach is appropriate for you.
What Are the Benefits of SculpSure?
- Short Treatment Times: Each session takes about 25 minutes per area, so it is possible to schedule treatments without disrupting your day.
- Permanent Fat Reduction: Once the treated fat cells are damaged and removed by your body, they don’t grow back.
- Non-Invasive and Needle-Free: There are no incisions, injections, or anesthesia involved, so there’s no need for downtime or post-treatment recovery.
- No Damage to Surrounding Tissues: The laser energy is specifically calibrated to affect fat cells while keeping skin, muscles, and other tissues unharmed. This focused approach reduces the risk of side effects and allows the treated areas to heal smoothly.
How to Get Ready for Your Body Contouring Treatment
There’s very little preparation required before a SculpSure session, but arriving well-hydrated and wearing loose, comfortable clothing can make the experience easier. Avoid applying lotions, oils, or perfumes to the treatment area on the day of your appointment. Let us know about any recent skin treatments, rashes, or health changes before your visit. A quick consultation allows us to review your medical history and confirm that this is the right option for your goals.
What Are SculpSure Treatments Like?
During your session, we’ll place applicators on the targeted area, where they’ll deliver wavelengths of light energy with an affinity for fat cells. This happens alongside continual cooling technology for your comfort. You will feel deep warmth with occasional tingling or mild cramping. There’s no need for numbing or downtime, and you can return to normal activities right after the visit. These body contouring treatments are efficient, non-invasive, and allow you to stay relaxed the entire time.
Aftercare and Recovery
There’s no recovery period required, but some patients may notice mild tenderness in the treated area. These effects are temporary and resolve on their own within a few days. Light massage to the area twice daily for a few minutes can support the body’s natural elimination process. You can resume exercise and normal activities immediately. Staying well-hydrated and maintaining a consistent lifestyle can help support the visible results over time.
When Will You See Results From Body Contouring?
Fat cells treated with SculpSure are gradually removed by your lymphatic system. Most patients begin to notice changes around six weeks after treatment, with full results typically visible by 12 weeks. Because the process relies on your body’s natural functions, the timeline can vary slightly from person to person. Some areas may respond sooner than others, depending on circulation, metabolism, and fat density.
How Many SculpSure Treatments Will I Need?
On average, most patients need two to three sessions per area for optimal results, spaced about six weeks apart. Some may see the changes they want after just one session, while others may benefit from a more gradual approach.
Factors that can influence your treatment plan include:
- Amount of Fat in the Area: Areas with a thicker layer of fat may need additional sessions to achieve noticeable reduction.
- Location of the Treatment Area: Denser or more hormonally resistant areas (like the abdomen or flanks) may respond differently than others.
- Body’s Metabolic Rate: Faster metabolisms may process and remove damaged fat cells more efficiently, affecting the visible timeline.
- Lifestyle Habits: Hydration, activity levels, and overall health can all play a role in how quickly and how well results develop.
More FAQs About Body Contouring
How Long Does Body Contouring Last?
The fat cells destroyed during treatment do not return, so the reduction is considered permanent. However, remaining fat cells can still expand if you gain weight. To maintain your results, stick to a consistent diet and exercise routine. Follow-up treatments are not typically necessary for the same area unless your goals change.
Can SculpSure Tighten the Skin?
SculpSure was designed to reduce fat, not to lift or tighten loose skin. Some patients notice a subtle improvement in skin firmness as the area remodels, but this varies and is not guaranteed. If skin laxity is a concern, we may recommend pairing non-surgical body contouring with additional skin-focused treatments. During your consultation, we can assess whether skin tightening will be needed based on your goals.
Can SculpSure Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Body contouring may be combined with other treatment methods depending on your goals and the suitability of the desired treatments. We will customize your treatment timeline to allow for the appropriate spacing.
Is Body Contouring Effective?
Body contouring works best for patients who are already at or near their goal weight and want to address areas that do not respond to exercise. It is not a weight loss treatment, so it is important to have realistic expectations. When used on the right candidate, SculpSure can noticeably reduce fat volume and help refine your shape. Your final outcome depends on your metabolism, treatment area, and overall lifestyle habits.
Body Contouring vs. Liposuction: What’s the Difference?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that physically removes fat through a suction cannula, usually under anesthesia. It can remove larger amounts of fat in a single session, but requires more recovery time and carries greater risks. Non-surgical treatments like SculpSure rely on your body to gradually eliminate damaged fat cells over time. While the results may be more subtle, the process does not involve surgery, incisions, or downtime.
Are There Any Body Contouring Side Effects?
Most patients experience mild, temporary effects such as redness, swelling, or tenderness in the treated area. These symptoms typically resolve within a few days without intervention. Some also report a tingling or firm sensation under the skin as the body processes the fat cells. If anything feels unusual or uncomfortable beyond a few days, you can check in so we can evaluate you and support your recovery.
About Your Body Contouring Provider in Mountain View
Dr. Shaheen brings advanced training in both traditional and minimally invasive vascular surgery, with education from Stanford and Northwestern. After building a successful practice in Monterey, he expanded to Mountain View in 2006 to meet a growing demand for his expertise. In addition to providing comprehensive vascular care, he offers specialized aesthetic treatments through his Advanced BioSculpt division. His approach combines medical precision with innovative techniques to provide options not commonly available at other practices. Collaboration with other specialists remains a core part of his philosophy, allowing patients access to a broader range of advanced procedures.
Target Unwanted Fat With Body Contouring in Mountain View
SculpSure body contouring offers a non-invasive way to reduce stubborn fat in areas like the abdomen, thighs, or chin that aren’t responding to more traditional efforts. Body sculpting treatments are short, require no downtime, and can be used on multiple areas with lasting results. We use this technology in Mountain View & San Jose, CA to help patients refine areas of concern using safe, targeted energy. To schedule a consultation with Shaheen Vascular, call (650) 965-1909 or fill out the online form on our website. We look forward to helping you learn more about non-surgical body contouring options.
