Belly Fat And Liposuction: A Closer Look

Many people wonder whether it’s possible to reduce resistant fat on the belly area with liposuction. Palm Desert’s Cosmetic Surgery Institute sees plenty of patients who consider their stomach to be a “problem area” and are looking for cosmetic procedures that are effective for reducing stubborn fat that’s unresponsive to exercise and dietary changes. There are several possible reasons why resistant fat may develop on this area. Although a poor diet and a lack of exercise can certainly cause fat to accumulate, belly fat can also be linked to stress, consuming excess alcohol, genetics, poor sleep, and smoking. 

When we’re stressed, our body releases a hormone called cortisol that can affect our metabolism and make the body more likely to store excess calories around the belly as fat. Additionally, we tend to snack more on comfort food when we’re feeling stressed.

Liposuction is particularly effective for the reduction of fat from the abdominal area and provides more dramatic results in comparison to non-invasive fat reduction treatments. Unwanted excess fat can be surgically removed from the abdomen, waist, love handles, and lower back. This treatment helps to slim the waistline area, restore a flatter abdomen, and sculpt a more defined silhouette. By removing the fat below the surface, the procedure can also reveal the underlying definition and curves of the body, resulting in a more attractive frame and increasing potential clothing options. 

There are two types of fat stored on the abdominal area: subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat sits directly beneath the skin and can be easily seen and felt. This is the type of fat that has a soft, jiggly appearance and can be pinched. Visceral fat is the type that is “hidden” inside of the abdomen and accumulates close to the internal organs in the upper body. The latter type of fat is associated with health complications and is more harmful to the health compared to subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat is the hard, firm fat that’s referred to as a “beer belly” and causes the stomach to protrude. While subcutaneous fat is less dangerous for the health in general, it can be undesirable for aesthetic reasons. 

Subcutaneous fat sits outside of the abdominal wall and can be removed with liposuction or other cosmetic procedures. Liposuction can’t remove visceral fat; the only way of reducing this unhealthier form of fat is through lifestyle changes like improving your diet and exercising more. The surgery also won’t reduce the health risks associated with visceral fat.

Note that having a large amount of visceral fat on the stomach won’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to have liposuction, but it can have an influence on the type of results you attain from the procedure. 

If you still have some fullness on the abdomen even after the results from your liposuction can be seen clearly, it could be because you still have some visceral fat inside of the abdominal cavity. However, it should be noted that by removing some of the excess subcutaneous fat, liposuction can enhance patients’ range of motion to make exercise more comfortable so that they are encouraged to work out more and reduce the visceral fat. 

Patients should also remember that liposuction is best for reducing small pockets of fat and is not designed as a treatment for obesity. Plastic surgeons consider individuals who are close to their ideal body weight and in good overall health with just a few pockets of excess fat that they would like to tone up more to be the ideal candidates for liposuction. 

Learn more about the advantages of liposuction from the Palm Desert-based team at Cosmetic Surgery Institute if you’re searching for an effective way of sculpting the body for a more balanced shape. Call (760) 837-0364 or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation if you would like to meet with them to discuss body contouring cosmetic surgery options.