You have learned how to make a sourdough starter, are eating cake for breakfast, and your local gym is closed, so you will not be exercising today. While in college, you may have heard of the “freshman 15,” the “quarantine 15” is the same concept.

Reports from physicians across the nation indicate that quarantine orders have led to changes in dietary and exercise habits, resulting in weight gain. There is still plenty of time to get in shape in 2021, and there are body contouring options that can help you feel your best in what we all hope will be a happier and more fulfilling post-COVID world.

Alter your eating and exercise routines
Before considering any procedures for body contouring, you must break your quarantine habits. Return to a healthy diet and begin an exercise routine. Even if restrictions prevent you from entering the gym, you can go for a daily walk or begin a home-based online exercise program. Resuming a healthy routine will help you lose any additional weight and prolong the results of your body contouring.

Top three options for body contouring
Body contouring, also known as body sculpting, entails surgical and non-surgical procedures that address the alterations to your body caused by weight loss. This may include sagging abdominal skin, stubborn fat resistant to dietary changes and exercise, and a change in breast shape. There are three body sculpting procedures that are ideal for addressing the quarantine 15 and restoring your desired appearance.

Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure for body contouring that targets pockets of fat that refuse to budge no matter how many crunches you perform. Although lipo is not intended for weight loss, it is an ideal body contouring procedure for individuals who are close to their ideal weight and wish to eliminate unwanted fat. Liposuction is not limited to the abdominal region, as it can also target fat in the thighs, hips, buttocks, upper arms, back, inner knees, chest, calves, and ankles.

Anesthesia will be administered during your liposuction procedure. To loosen the excess fat, your surgeon inserts a thin cannula through a small incision. Once the fat has been broken down, it is suctioned out of the body. After your procedure, you will likely wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and conform your skin to the newly sculpted contours. Although you may see some results immediately, it may take several months for the swelling to subside and the final results to appear. If you maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine, the results of your liposuction can be long-lasting.

Stomach tuck
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that addresses sagging skin, weak muscles and pockets of fat in the abdominal area. With conventional tummy tucks, you are discharged from the hospital with a drain in place to remove excess fluids. A drainless tummy tuck bypasses the lymphatic system, allowing you to drain this fluid naturally after your tummy tuck. In many instances, a tummy tuck without drains will also involve liposuction.

Expect to take at least two weeks off from school or work following a tummy tuck, but if you are working from home during quarantine, this is the ideal time. Once the swelling and tightness subside, you will notice a flatter, firmer waistline and the desired body contours. You can enjoy your trimmer waistline for years to come if you maintain a healthy diet and a regular exercise regimen.

Mommy makeover
If you want to address body changes and create new contours, a complete mommy makeover may be the way to go. This individualized surgery combines various body contouring techniques, such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift, and/or breast reduction. Your surgeon will discuss your goals and assist you in selecting the procedures for your mommy makeover. The recovery period for a mommy makeover will vary based on the patient’s general health and the procedures performed.

Good candidates for a mommy makeover will have completed their family and have no plans to have more children, as pregnancy could undo all the work performed by your plastic surgeon. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine allows you to keep your results for many years.