Do you have stubborn belly fat that doesn’t go away, even with a healthy diet and exercise? Despite your best efforts and often genetic factors, unwanted belly fat seems impossible to get rid of. In those situations, many turn to cosmetic surgery to help them reach their aesthetic goals. A popular minimally invasive option to remove belly fat (and fat in other areas) is laser liposuction or SmartLipo. As an added benefit, it also tightens the skin and better sculpts the body. We’ll dive into how laser liposuction works so you can better determine if it’s a good solution to conquer your belly fat.
Whether we like it or not, belly size can directly affect the perception of ourselves, even if we’re at a healthy weight. Often, how our clothes fit and avoiding wearing certain clothes are a good indication of how belly fat impacts our appearance. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if liposuction is right for you.
After liposuction, patients frequently comment how clothes fit them much better and complement their shape and new contour. They lose inches from their waist size and gain the confidence to wear clothes that make them feel good. Men often remark how they feel more confident going shirtless.
Laser liposuction is noninvasive and completely avoids surgery to remove belly fat and tighten the skin. Only small nicks, 3-5 mm, are made around the treatment area. A special tube, called a cannula, containing laser or plasma energy, is inserted through the incision to loosen and gently suction out the excess subcutaneous fat. Local anesthesia is administered, similar to what is provided at a dentist’s office. The heat from the device results in less bleeding, swelling, and bruising. It causes you to heal faster, and there are no stitches.
The abdomen has two types of fat, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Visceral fat is found deep inside the abdomen around the internal organs, which can’t be removed with liposuction. Diet and exercise are the only cures for deep fat. Most of the fat you have is subcutaneous fat, which is located below the skin and can be targeted and removed using laser liposuction. Up to 90% of subcutaneous belly fat can be removed, but it depends on several factors, such as the size of the area, the amount of excess fat in the area, and your total body mass. And yes, once the fat cells are removed, they are gone for good!
Absolutely, and patients love that liposuction is so versatile and can be applied to different areas. Patients often combine liposuction of the abdomen and the flanks (love handles) for a Lipo 360 procedure. Liposuction can be performed on just about any area of the body with excess fat, including the thighs, back, arms, chest, and chin, as part of a neck lift or facelift. Renuvion® skin tightening provides a “tummy tuck” effect to further tighten and tone the skin. Patients sometimes opt to harness the fat from their liposuction and transfer it to another area with a Brazilian Butt Lift or breast enhancement procedure.
Laser Lipo is best for people who are at or near their ideal weight (usually a BMI of 30 or less) and need help with stubborn problem areas. It’s not a solution for weight loss, but it often helps kickstart a healthier lifestyle with improved diet and exercise. Chances are, if you are in good health, you will qualify. This procedure may not be right for you if you plan to become pregnant in the future. We’ll schedule a complimentary consultation to evaluate your areas of concern and make a final determination.
You will notice a slimmer appearance immediately, and your results will only get better. The full effects of the skin tightening usually take 4-6 months to appear. Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, so you won’t see the scale move much, but many patients see a noticeable decrease in inches in the treatment area. It’s important to exercise and eat a healthy diet to maintain your results.
Liposuction is one of our most requested procedures at The Lumen Center, and the belly is a common area of focus. Our doctors are experts at belly fat removal and take the time to understand your goals and create a personalized plan. They also understand the artistry of body contouring to give you a great result that looks completely natural and complements your body shape.
If you want to learn more about liposuction to remove belly fat or any other procedures, we’ll let you know what’s possible at your complimentary consultation. Book your consultation today and view our gallery to find out if liposuction is right for you.
Sandra brings over 15 years of healthcare expertise to her role as a marketing writer, where she specializes in turning medical information into easy-to-understand content. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her family and reading.
