The Best Options For Surgical & Non Surgical Excess Fat Removal
Many people struggle with stubborn, excess fat that appears to be resistant to diet and exercise, which can weigh on our patients’ self-esteem and overall confidence. It’s also a common concern that is addressed at Gary Ross Plastic Surgery.
Whether it’s a persistent pocket of fat from pregnancy or excess fat pockets around the thighs that won’t budge localised fat can be extremely difficult to get rid of permanently. As a result, people take other measures to get rid of these pockets to prevent fat buildup in these areas.
In this article, we will go through some of the best options for excess fat removal in three different forms, including a non-surgical method that is gaining popularity.
Important Disclaimer
Before enquiring, it’s important for any patient to be aware about an excess fat removal surgery. It’s best to undergo these forms of treatment after you have had all of your children, as pregnancy can cause swelling and weight gain. In addition, as some procedures cannot fully remove the fat pockets, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising can help avoid excess fat being stored in the same place.
Surgical Excess Fat Removal: Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty, also known as a ‘Tummy Tuck,‘ is one of the leading invasive surgeries for excess fat removal as well as to rejuvenate the abdominal area through removing excess skin. An abdominoplasty is usually performed for patients who have lost a lot of weight or wish to undergo a ‘Mummy Makeover’ and need the removal of excess fat and skin or to remove excess tissue following childbirth.
What Happens During a Abdominoplasty Surgery?
- An abdominoplasty will take around 1.5 and 2.5 hours to perform.
- The incision is made above the pubic bone, and depending on the unique case of the patient, it can be extended to each hip bone.
- The skin is separated from the underlying tissue from the pubic region up to the ribs.
- Excess fat is removed from the lower abdomen; if the upper abdomen needs excess fat removed, then there will be another incision running from your ribs downwards.
- The fascia over the stomach muscles is tightened to provide a much firmer abdomen without damaging the muscles, improving the contour.
- The skin is stretched down, the excess skin is removed, and the belly button is relocated.
- The incisions are closed together with dissolvable stitches.
Surgical Excess Fat Removal: Liposuction
Liposuction surgery is another popular process for excess fat removal from the body, whether it be the abdomen, breasts or facial liposuction. Liposuction can be combined with other procedures, such as abdominoplasty, which is why it is so vastly popular. The surgery is best suited for people with stable body weight and for stubborn excess pockets of fat on a smaller scale.
What Is Liposuction Surgery Like?
- Excess fat removal through liposuction surgery can take between 1 and 2 hours.
- Rather than being under general anaesthetic, an anaesthetic fluid will be placed in the stubborn excess fat area to numb it.
- An incision is then made in the fatty area, which is no more than 1 cm.
- A cannula is used to remove the excess fat.
- Once the excess fat is removed, the area will be dressed with dissolvable stitches and a compression dressing.
Non Surgical Excess Fat Removal: CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a procedure known as cryolipolysis, which is becoming more popular due to it being a non-invasive procedure to remove excess fat. It works by having the areas of fat placed between two plates that cool the excess fat to a freezing temperature.
This treatment is for those who may struggle with obesity; therefore, this treatment isn’t suited for those with small areas of stubborn fat. It removes around 25% of the excess fat, and it doesn’t look different overnight. It takes a couple of weeks before the changes are noticeable and, in some cases, requires up to 3 sessions per body part, which takes 1 hour per body part.
CoolSculpting can be used on the thighs, lower back, belly and sides, and some people get all of them done to remove the excess fat from their body.
How to Prepare for Excess Fat Removal Surgery?
Firstly, you must ensure that you have full health, as you will be under general anaesthetic. If you are unwell, consult with your surgeon to reschedule, as this could cause complications.
Smoking hinders recovery times and can also cause complications with blood flow, so it is advised that you stop at least two weeks before surgery.
If you are on any sort of aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs or herbal supplements, then you should stop before the surgery. If you do take these, we will need to do some routine tests before the surgery.
You should aim to book off for at least 2 weeks, depending on the type of surgery you have.
