Fat Reduction

Fat reduction is the reduction of stored body fat. Not to be confused with weight reduction, which consists reduction of muscle, fat, and water in the body, and can sometimes lead to decreased fitness levels, fat reduction is focused exclusively on losing the fat content in the body. Losing fat improves fitness levels, strength, and enhances work performance in daily life. Although a combination of weight training and cardio exercises can effectively help in fat reduction, there are also a number of medical procedures available, both surgical and non-surgical, which can easily help get rid of the extra fat content in the body.

Non-surgical fat reduction

Non-surgical fat reduction includes minimally invasive treatments that selectively break down fat cells in specific areas to reduce the size of subcutaneous fat pockets (fat deposits that sit beneath the skin, but above the muscle). A number of FDA cleared treatments are available, each achieving gradual, modest fat loss without surgery or downtime. Check the benefits and limitations to be able to make your mind ready.

Benefits of non-surgical fat reduction

• Little to no downtime is required
• No general anesthesia, incisions or scars
• Side effects are minimal for most patients
• Gradual onset of results allows patients to be discreet about treatments
• Results can last as long as a patient maintains his or her weight

Limitations

• Reduces fat only (minimal sculpting ability compared to liposuction)
• We cannot choose exactly how much fat is lost, only estimate a percentage
• Multiple treatments may be needed to achieve desired results
• May not be suitable for patients with significant amounts of fat to lose

No cosmetic procedure, surgical or non-surgical, is intended for weight loss. Treatments will not significantly change a patient’s weight, and a healthy lifestyle and weight maintenance are essential to maintain results.

Is non-surgical fat reduction a good option for me?

For patients at or near their ideal body weight who do not need significant reshaping in an area, non-surgical treatments can be a great option to reduce isolated pockets of diet and exercise-resistant fat without surgery, and with little to no downtime. However, it is important to have realistic expectations about what results a non-surgical treatment can achieve

Am I eligible to undergo a non-surgical fat reduction procedure?

You are eligible for non-surgical fat reduction procedures if:

• You are above 18 years of age
• You have above ideal body weight
• You have large deposits of excessive fat in your body but are not obese
• You are not pregnant or nursing
• You do not take blood thinners
• You do not suffer from any medical conditions such as immune system disorder, circulatory system disorder, allergies, heart disease, or diabetes
• You do not have any active implants such as pacemaker, defibrillator, cochlear implant, or diabetic pump, then the surgical fat reduction techniques are good options for you
• You would like to target small spots of fat accumulated areas

Good skin elasticity is an important attribute for patients undergoing any non-surgical fat reduction procedures.

What about surgical fat reduction procedure?

You are eligible for surgical fat reduction procedures if:

• You are above 18 years of age.
• You have above ideal body weight
• You have large deposits of excessive fat in your body, but are not obese,
• You are not pregnant or nursing,
• You do not take blood thinners,
• You do not suffer from any medical conditions such as immune system disorder, circulatory system disorder, allergies, heart disease, or diabetes
• You do not have any active implants such as pacemaker, defibrillator, cochlear implant, or diabetic pump, then the surgical fat reduction techniques are good options for you.

Good skin elasticity is an important attribute for patients undergoing fat reduction surgeries.

Different fat reduction procedures

The different fat reduction procedures include:

• Liposuction

According to the type of liposuction you are having, it may be performed as an outpatient procedure at the doctor’s office or surgery center. If large amounts of fat are being removed, the procedure will be done in a hospital, and you may have to stay in the hospital overnight. Before the procedure begins, you will be given anesthesia. Again, depending on how much fat is being removed and the type of liposuction, the anesthesia may be a local, or it may require a general anesthetic, in which case the surgery will be done while you are sleeping. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the liposuction procedure is performed using a suction device attached to a small, stainless steel instrument called a cannula. Through small incisions (cuts), the cannula is inserted into fatty areas between skin and muscle, where it removes excess fat with either a suction pump or a large syringe. This results in a smoother, improved body contour (shape). The length of the procedure will vary with the amount of fat being removed.

• Abdominoplasty

Depending on the results you want, this surgery can take anywhere from one to five hours. Your situation also will decide whether you have the surgery as an in-patient or outpatient procedure. You will receive general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep during the operation. It’s important to have someone with you who can drive you home. If you live alone and you’re sent home after the procedure, you also will need someone to stay with you at least the first night after the surgery.

• Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency ablation uses an electric current to heat up a small area of nerve tissue to stop it from sending pain signals. It can provide lasting relief for people with chronic pain, especially in the lower back, neck and arthritic joints.

• Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis, commonly referred to as “CoolSculpting” by patients, uses cold temperature to break down fat cells. The fat cells are particularly susceptible to the effects of cold, unlike other types of cells. While the fat cells freeze, the skin and other structures are spared from injury. This is one of the most popular nonsurgical fat reduction treatments, with over 450,000 procedures performed worldwide.

• Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling, and infection in the body’s internal organs and to examine a baby in pregnant women and the brain and hips in infants. It’s also used to help guide biopsies, diagnose heart conditions, and assess damage after a heart attack. Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, and does not use ionizing radiation.

• Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy treatment is a non-surgical cosmetic solution aimed at diminishing problem areas in your body such as cellulite, excess weight, body contouring, and face/neck rejuvenation, just to name a few. It is administered via numerous injections containing various types of FDA approved medicines, vitamins, and minerals.