What conditions can stomach or ‘tummy’ liposuction target?

Stomach liposuction is a popular and effective treatment for back and bra fat, excess fat in the stomach area and abdominal fat. Liposuction is a quick and safe cosmetic surgical procedure to remove unwanted or stubborn areas of body fat, creating a more defined shape. This involves sucking out small areas of fat that are hard to lose through just exercise and a healthy diet alone.

But what are back and bra fat, excess fat and abdominal fat and how does liposuction help?

Back and Bra Fat 

Fat tends to accumulate in folds across the back, causing deep furrows in the mid back and bulging above and below the bra line. This is commonly referred to as back fat and bra fat. It is more common in early middle age as the skin becomes more lax. It is also naturally associated with weight gain. Back and bra fat extends into the armpit at the back of the body and around into the upper breast.

These unwelcome bulges can spoil the silhouette of an outfit and people with back and bra fat sometimes avoid wearing certain styles of clothing altogether, such as strapless dresses. An outfit which draws attention to back or bra fat may cause anxiety and embarrassment.

Although it is possible for some people to rid themselves of back and bra fat through exercise and eating a healthy diet, this is much harder for those with a genetic predisposition to storing fat in the back. Exercise and diet will not improve skin laxity, which is a natural side-effect of aging.

Liposuction is the most effective treatment for tackling these problem areas. Here at the Cadogan Clinic, we often combine this treatment with body contouring of the loins and buttocks.

The problem of back and bra fat can be particularly acute in obese patients who have undergone dramatic weight loss, leaving large amounts of loose, excess skin behind. In such cases, Liposuction may still be required, but surgical excision will be needed to remove this excess skin.

Excess Fat

Everyone is born with a certain distribution of fat cells, which determines a person’s body shape. It is only during puberty and in obesity that the number of these cells increase in certain areas, for example breast development in young women. As an adult, fat cell distribution and body contour are fixed.

Consuming more calories than is needed causes the body’s fat cells to increase in size, leading to excess body fat. Excess fat can have a negative impact on a person’s self-esteem and can impact on their day-to-day lives. Someone who is carrying extra weight may be put off taking part in certain activities such as swimming, which may show off their excess fat, or reluctant to wear certain items or styles of clothing.

Having excess fat can pose a real danger to a person’s physical health too, with excess fat linked to serious conditions including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Fat can be successfully lost through diet and exercise, but removing fat cells via liposuction will help with shaping and contours.

If there is a large amount of loose skin left over following liposuction treatment, this may need to be removed.

Abdominal Fat 

There are two different types of abdominal fat -  subcutaneous fat and visceral fat.

Cosmetically, at the Cadogan Clinic we are concerned with subcutaneous, extra-abdominal fat, or the fat that we can pinch up under the skin. The skin itself may be loose and surplus. This is the fat we can reach with liposuction and remove by way of surgical abdominoplasty (abdominal reduction).

Excess belly fat, medically referred to as visceral fat or intra-abdominal fat, is the mass of fat that surrounds a person’s intestines and organs. It is inaccessible to liposuction and surgical abdominal reduction. This visceral fat can be recognised as the tummy protrudes like in pregnancy and feels quite tight. You cannot pinch up subcutaneous fat.

The presence of visceral fat can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and type 2 diabetes. The only way to cut down on this type of fat is through dieting.

High sugar intake is directly linked to excess abdominal fat, as is high alcohol consumption. Excess calories from alcohol are stored as intra-abdominal fat and suppresses the burning of fat. Other foods to avoid include processed foods, chips and white bread, along with sweetened drinks, such as sodas, which increase inflammation in the body. Inflammation hinders the body’s ability to lose abdominal fat.

A myriad of things can result in excess abdominal fat, with genetics, hormones, health conditions and diseases, metabolic rate, diet, exercise, pregnancy, stress and sleep all potentially contributing to weight gain. Many people who lead healthy lifestyles can struggle to shift stubborn pockets of fat. Liposuction, sometimes coupled with abdominoplasty, can help to reduce subcutaneous abdominal fat.

Excess fat, including obesity, can be very detrimental to a person’s health and wellbeing. Therefore it is imperative that any diet, exercise and lifestyle factors are addressed before we carry out any procedures at the Cadogan Clinic.

If you are experiencing problems with back or bra fat, abdominal fat or excess fat, please come and see our expert surgeons at the Cadogan Clinic and we can discuss how liposuction can help you to achieve your body goals.