Progress Review:

The Story Behind These Results

This article walks through the consultation process, treatment strategy and progress achieved so far. Scroll down to view the progress images and see how the treatment journey is evolving.

After 5 StimSure, 2 RF Skin Tightening and 2 HIFU Skin Tightening Treatments

At Contour Atelier, every treatment journey begins with understanding the underlying factors contributing to a concern, not simply selecting a treatment based on what is visible on the surface.

This treatment journey highlights the importance of structure, support and strategic sequencing when treating post-pregnancy abdominal concerns.

The Client’s Concern

This client presented with concerns commonly experienced following pregnancy, including:

• Loose abdominal skin
• Crepey skin texture around the belly button
• A persistent lower abdominal “pouch”
• Fullness through the stomach area
• Reduced abdominal tone and support

Like many women after having children, the concern wasn’t isolated to one issue.

Skin quality, muscle tone and volume were all contributing to the overall appearance of the abdomen.

What made this case particularly interesting was that the client wasn’t simply looking to reduce volume. She wanted her abdomen to feel firmer, more supported and more confident again. This distinction is important because while fat reduction can change volume, it doesn’t always address the quality of the skin or the support provided by the underlying structures.

The Consultation

During consultation, we discussed an important consideration.

When unwanted fat and skin laxity exist together, reducing volume too quickly can sometimes make loose skin appear more noticeable—particularly when the skin is already showing signs of reduced elasticity or creping.

While fat reduction would likely become part of this client’s treatment journey, our recommendation was to first improve the quality and support of the skin before introducing more significant contouring treatments.

This would allow the tissues to begin strengthening before adapting to future volume changes.

Rather than immediately asking, “How do we reduce the fat?”, we first asked:

“How do we create better support?”

In many cases, the most effective treatment pathway isn’t determined by what concerns the client most—it’s determined by what the tissue needs first. By addressing support, skin quality and tone before reducing volume, we can often create a stronger foundation for future contouring treatments and achieve a more balanced overall result.

The Treatment Plan

The client chose our Optimiser Package, which we customised to suit her individual concerns and goals.

The initial treatment pathway included:

• StimSure Muscle Sculpting
• RF Skin Tightening
• HIFU Skin Tightening

Our plan was to focus on strengthening support and improving tissue quality first, then reassess before introducing fat reduction.

Importantly, this wasn’t a fixed protocol. We agreed to review the results after the initial HIFU treatments and evaluate whether the skin was responding as hoped before progressing into contouring.

As with all treatment journeys at Contour Atelier, treatment plans are designed to evolve based on progress, not assumptions. Regular reviews allow us to assess how the body is responding and make adjustments where needed, rather than simply following a predetermined pathway.

Why We Treated Beyond The Belly Button Area

One of the client’s primary concerns was loose, crepey skin around the belly button.

A common assumption is that treatment should be performed only where the concern is visible. However, the body’s support structures do not function as isolated sections.

The skin is supported by a network of connective tissue, collagen fibres and fascial structures that extend beyond the exact area where laxity appears.

Think of it like a woven net.

If one section appears loose, simply pulling on the centre may create limited change. Creating support throughout the surrounding structure often produces a stronger and more balanced outcome.

For this reason, we treated a broader section of the abdomen rather than focusing solely on the immediate area around the navel.

By stimulating collagen production and tissue contraction through the surrounding tissues, we can encourage support from above, below and around the concern, creating a more harmonious tightening response.

This broader approach also helps us avoid treating the body as a collection of isolated concerns. The abdomen functions as a connected area, and improvements in one section can influence the way neighbouring tissues support and respond to treatment. By considering the wider area rather than a single point of concern, we can often create a more natural-looking and balanced outcome.

Why Layering Treatments Matters

This treatment journey also demonstrates why we often recommend a layered approach rather than relying on a single technology.

The abdomen is made up of multiple structures.

Skin quality, connective tissue support, muscle tone and fat volume all contribute to how the area looks and feels.

If we focus on only one layer, we may improve one concern while leaving others unchanged.

In this treatment pathway, each treatment had a specific purpose.

HIFU Skin Tightening

Used to stimulate deeper collagen remodelling and improve tissue support.

RF Skin Tightening

Used to enhance skin quality and support the remodelling process.

StimSure Muscle Sculpting

Used to strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles, creating increased support from beneath.

Together, these treatments addressed different layers simultaneously.

Rather than focusing on volume reduction first, we focused on building a stronger foundation.

By improving skin quality and muscle tone before introducing fat reduction, we create an environment where future contouring treatments can achieve a more balanced outcome.

When contouring is the better fit

Body contouring tends to be the better option when there is a clearly defined pocket of stubborn fat and the surrounding skin still has reasonable elasticity. The client may be close to their stable weight, already active, and simply looking to refine one area that does not respond easily.

Treatments such as LIPOcel can fit this category, particularly when the goal is targeted reduction and contour refinement in specific areas. Results develop gradually over time, making them well suited to clients seeking natural-looking improvements.