Tucson provides Arizonians with so many opportunities to get and stay fit. With endless hiking trails, biking routes, and bouldering areas, you are almost always on the move.
But despite all the fun physical activities available just outside your door, somehow, you still have areas with stubborn fat that just won’t budge.
Or, alternatively, maybe you’re just now getting back to those physical activities you love so much. Sometimes, life gets in the way, and you don’t even realize it until you look in the mirror. Your daily bike ride has since become a long drive in the car, or an office job has replaced the time you once spent running on your favorite trails. While your current exercise routine may work in some areas of the body, other areas remain resistant.
No matter what the reason is for your interest in body sculpting in Tucson, AZ, we have a solution. At Larson Plastic Surgery and ZL Med Spa, we offer a range of surgical and nonsurgical options to sculpt and shape your body. Our expert team can determine which body sculpting method will benefit you the most and create a customized plan to help you achieve your dream body.
Before discussing your options, let’s clarify what body sculpting is and what it isn’t.
What is body sculpting?
Body sculpting, also known as body contouring, refers to techniques that can reshape specific areas of the body where excess subcutaneous fat can be found. Located just beneath the skin, this type of fat—the kind you can pinch—is often stored around the hips, buttocks, thighs, under the chin, and on the belly.
Who it helps most
If you’re maintaining a healthy, stable weight yet still have pinchable pockets of fat, you’re in the sweet spot for body contouring. We provide body contouring in Tucson to fine-tune your shape by targeting specific zones.
During your consultation, we measure and photograph areas from a variety of angles. That baseline lets us map realistic change by area and track progress you can see.
Why is some fat resistant to lifestyle changes?
You can’t control how your body distributes and stores weight. Although diet and exercise help, they don’t actually “burn fat” like fad diets and rigorous exercises promise they will. That’s because your body has a set number of fat cells, which is generally set during childhood or adolescence. This number remains unchanged despite the number on the scale. Instead, these cells shrink with weight loss and expand with weight gain.
Fat cells have 2 receptors: alpha-2, which promote fat storage, and beta-2, which stimulate fat burning. If you have areas in your body resistant to weight loss, you may have a higher concentration of alpha-2 receptors. How you store fat also has a big genetic component (thanks mom and dad).
Fortunately, body sculpting in Tucson, AZ, targets those fat cells and permanently destroys them through various methods.
What Body Sculpting Is Not
Body sculpting may address fat, but it doesn’t substitute for weight loss methods. In fact, the remaining and surrounding fat cells can still grow and expand, making healthy habits imperative for lasting results. That’s why we require you to be in good health before undergoing surgical or nonsurgical body sculpting methods.
These treatments improve your weight loss results, giving you a new silhouette that showcases your efforts. We offer the following treatments at Larson.
How we decide What Works Best
We start with learning your goals, history, and getting precise measurements. Then we match expert techniques to your unique anatomy. If you have an event—vacation, race, wedding—we’ll plan sessions or surgery windows to hit realistic milestones.
You’ll leave with a fully customized plan: the areas we’ll treat, the spacing between sessions, and a clear recovery timeline. From there, we personalize next steps for body sculpting in Tucson, AZ—surgical, nonsurgical, or a smart mix of both.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved, noninvasive body contouring treatment that permanently reduces up to 20% of fat cells in the treatment area.
Using the process of cryolipolysis, this nonsurgical technique exploits fat cells for their higher sensitivity to cold temperatures than other cells. The freezing temperatures break down fat cells, destroying them for your body to then flush away through your lymphatic system.
You will sit in the office and relax or watch TV while we place a cold applicator to your skin. This can take up to 1 hour per area and we can do 2 areas at a time. After that, the fat will gradually melt away over the next couple of months. Many people also notice some skin tightening as well. It is essentially painless with zero downtime, which is why people might prefer this method over liposuction.
You can use this treatment on the following areas:
- Submentum (underneath the chin)
- Arms
- Abdomen
- Flanks
- Upper & lower back
- Buttocks
- Inner & outer thighs
Who is a good candidate for CoolSculpting?
If you’re trying to lose fat but are struggling in certain areas, CoolSculpting could be a good option for you. If you’re within 25 pounds of your ideal weight, we recommend this nonsurgical option for body sculpting in Tucson. CoolSculpting works well for smaller areas of fat, producing less dramatic results than surgical body contouring.
Who is not a good candidate for CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting may not be suitable if any of the following apply to you:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Heightened sensitivity to cold
- People with cyroglobulinemia
- Skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, or hives
- Active infections in the treatment site
- Implanted devices in or near the treatment area
- Loose skin in the treatment area
- Extensive scarring in the treatment area
How many sessions will I need?
Most people need 2 to 3 sessions of CoolSculpting to see the best results. During your consultation, we will assess your area of concern and determine the best number of sessions for you.
The Process for CoolSculpting
After your consultation, we will set up a schedule for your CoolSculpting treatment. Each session lasts 35 to 60 minutes, depending on your area of concern. During your session, a team member will use a washable marker and precise measuring instruments to mark the target areas. Next, they place a gel pad and the CoolSculpting applicator on the appropriate areas, and vacuum suction pulls the skin and fat into the applicator. As this process continues, you’ll notice the following sensations:
- Pulling
- Intense cold
- Mild pinching
- Tingling
Most patients find the process for this body sculpting in Tucson tolerable, especially once the initial sensations subside and the area becomes numb.
When will I see results?
Depending on the number of sessions, you can expect to see results in as little as 1 to 3 months. It may even take 6 months or more to see the full benefits of CoolSculpting. The results appear gradually as your body continues flushing the fat cells. In the meantime, focusing on your health and wellness helps you maintain your slimmer physique.
Is there downtime?
Patients love CoolSculpting because there is no downtime associated with this treatment. You’re free to continue your day as usual after you leave our office.
Session planning & After care
We typically space sessions 4 to 6 weeks apart so your body can clear treated cells and you can evaluate change area by area. Expect about 20% reduction in each treated zone per full course of treatment sessions. Tucson tip: Hydrate well and be mindful of heat or intense sun exposure on recently treated skin. Gentle activity helps with lymphatic flow, but we’ll outline what to do and when.
Here are some of our general recommendations:
- Hydrate before and after appointments to support lymphatic flow and comfort.
- Schedule midday visits to avoid peak heat.
- Wear loose, breathable layers so applicators, garments, or dressings sit comfortably.
- Protect treated skin from the sun with high-SPF sunscreen and UV-smart clothing.
- Keep movement gentle for 24 to 48 hours after CoolSculpting, and increase as advised.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical body contouring treatment that addresses excess fat deposits in your body. Our plastic surgeon, Dr. Ethan Larson, may use advanced techniques and technology, including Vaser Ultrasonic Liposuction or MicroAire Power Assisted Liposuction, to emulsify fat cells and contour your appearance. For skin tightening, we use Renuvion, a body contouring device that boosts collagen production, creating firmer skin, tighter, and smoother skin. Renuvion does not require an incision, so you won’t have to worry about additional scarring.
Related Reading: The Low Down on Liposuction
Whether you’ve recently lost weight or have a few “trouble spots,” liposuction can slim the following areas:
- Abdomen
- Neck
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Chin
- Arms
To gain a better understanding of what we can achieve with liposuction, check out our before and after gallery.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
This option for body sculpting in Tucson, AZ, works best for patients who have done the work, lost the weight, and still have remaining fat. We also recommend liposuction for larger areas of fat and more dramatic results. During your consultation, we will set realistic expectations for this procedure and determine if you’re a good candidate for surgery.
Dr. Larson is a board-certified plastic surgeon, so the risks are significantly lower than going to a less trained doctor. Despite this, surgery has inherent risks, best mitigated by good health. Additionally, when you are at a stable body weight, it’s easier to maintain your results for the long term.
Who is not a good candidate for liposuction?
Patients with unrealistic expectations and in poor health are not good candidates for liposuction. Additionally, if you’re unable to abstain from smoking before and after the procedure, we will determine that you are not a good candidate for liposuction. People with a lot of loose skin are also not great liposuction candidates as liposuction can make skin laxity worse. However, for excess skin, a tummy tuck, thigh lift, or arm lift may be a more suitable alternative.
How many sessions will I need?
Unlike CoolSculpting, liposuction usually only requires 1 treatment. Before your liposuction, we require a consultation to discuss your concerns and answer questions you may have.
The Process for Liposuction
Before your liposuction surgery, please secure plans for a friend or family member to drive you home and help you recover safely.
Depending on your desired treatment areas, the procedure can take 1 to 4 hours. For your surgical body sculpting in Tucson, we start by administering local or general anesthetic to make sure you’re comfortable. Dr. Larson will then make a small incision in the treatment area before inserting a tiny cannula to gently break down the fat cells and suction them out. The procedure is adaptable to your specific needs, and Dr. Larson will help you understand your customized surgical plan. Dr. Larson specializes in low, medium and high definition liposuction techniques and can help you decide which one is right for you. Sometimes the fat can be put back in areas where more volume is needed such as in the muscles to enhance definition of the chest or biceps or abs or in the buttocks (BBL) or breasts.
Is there downtime?
Yes, following your surgery, Dr. Larson will recommend wearing compression garments and limiting activity. Typically, we try to prepare you for about 10 to 14 days of downtime, with bruising and swelling appearing in the treatment area. In the weeks following your body sculpting surgery, you can expect minimal pain and typical drainage. We may also have you come back to the office for follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.
When will I see results?
You’ll start noticing results as the swelling subsides, usually after about 1 to 2 weeks following your surgery. Fortunately, you only need 1 session, and you’ll see greater results from liposuction than you will from CoolSculpting.
Technique tiers & return to life
We tailor our techniques to your frame and goals. Standard liposuction smooths and slims broad areas. Medium definition adds gentle line work along natural borders. High definition sharpens select edges for athletic detail when tissue quality and goals align.
When mild skin laxity shows, Renuvion can tighten without a new incision. It’s useful after weight loss or in zones that need extra support. Expect to resume desk work sooner than heavy lifting, with light cardio coming back first. You can get back to more intensive workouts once everything is fully healed.
Which treatment is right for me?
That’s a question that we can determine together. If you’re unsure, here’s a quick breakdown:
- Liposuction: Treats excess fat over a larger area of the body, with more dramatic results but also more downtime.
- CoolSculpting: Treats excess fat in localized areas to enhance specific contours, with less dramatic results but no downtime.
Whether you opt for surgical or nonsurgical body contouring, we always customize and personalize your treatment to your unique goals.
A Quick Comparison
Choose liposuction to:
- Treat larger areas in one procedure and create a more dramatic shift.
- Pair contouring with Renuvion when mild laxity needs extra support.
- Combine zones (abdomen + flanks + submental) in a single plan.
Choose CoolSculpting to:
- Target small, pinchable pockets with no downtime.
- Space treatments over 4 to 6 weeks and watch gradual change.
- Stay event-ready while you refine one zone at a time.
Results & Maintenance
Great outcomes come from a smart plan and steady habits. Maintain a stable weight, hydrate well in our desert climate, and protect skin quality with sun-smart routines. Strength training improves posture and definition so your contours have an even more defined appearance.
We’ll schedule photo checks around 90 days and 6 months to track change, adjust maintenance, and celebrate progress. If you need a touchpoint later, we’ll map it into your plan for ongoing body sculpting in Tucson, AZ.
Your 90-day contour plan
Day 0 through 7
Capture baseline photos and finalize coverage. If you’re starting nonsurgical treatments, book round 1 and a 4 to 6-week follow-up. If you’re going the surgical route, line up a ride, set up your recovery space, and confirm garment sizing.
Weeks 4 through 6
Review photos and measurements. For CoolSculpting, schedule round 2 where it will make the biggest visual difference. For liposuction, add light cardio once cleared, prioritize sleep, and keep salt modest while swelling settles.
Weeks 8 through 10
Layer in strength work as comfort returns. Protect skin from the sun so edges read cleanly, and keep hydration high in our desert climate.
Day 90
Re-shoot photos side-by-side. If a small pocket of fat remains, we’ll plan a touch-up treatment. If you’re satisfied, shift to maintenance habits that support your body sculpting in Tucson, AZ—steady activity, smart nutrition, and consistent skincare.
Is it Stubborn Fat or Lipedema?
Sometimes “problem areas” aren’t ordinary fat. Lipedema often shows as symmetrical enlargement in the legs (and sometimes arms), easy bruising, and tenderness to pressure.
Lifestyle changes help overall health, but they rarely correct lipedema because the tissue becomes fibrotic. If your pattern sounds familiar, we can evaluate, confirm the diagnosis, and discuss lymphatic-sparing options and supportive care.
one patient’s Path
A patient at a healthy, stable weight wanted her waistline to show in fitted clothing but couldn’t shake flank fullness. We mapped liposuction for abdomen + flanks with Renuvion for mild laxity, then reviewed photos at 90 days. A single CoolSculpting round to the submental area finished the look. She returned to desk work in one week, added light cardio at two weeks, and resumed full training once incisions matured.
Make the Right Choice at Larson
When you’re looking to choose the right treatment for body sculpting in Tucson, start by choosing Larson. Our team is made up of highly skilled professionals with years of continued training in the fields of surgery and aesthetics. We can enhance your beauty with body contouring, facial fillers, and breast augmentation—to name a few of our many services.
To get started, try our treatment planning tool or book an appointment to speak with us about starting your personalized body contouring plan.
