How can I remove specific areas of fat? It’s a question we’re asked a lot at Athenix. The idea of targeted fat reduction options is different from the idea of weight loss. Weight loss is a whole-body goal that involves a committed program of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. In some cases, people who want to lose substantial amounts of weight may opt for surgical or non-surgical weight loss options, like a gastric balloon. But if you are looking not for overall weight loss, but for the targeting of specific areas where you want to reduce fat, you have several options.
At Athenix, we believe that Vaser Lipo is the most efficient and effective option for reducing fat. The reason our method is so beneficial for many people, is it allows us to remove fat in the most minimally invasive way. If you’ve heard stories of liposuction from years ago, you likely think of the procedure as an aggressive, invasive treatment with a long recovery time and substantial bruising. Fortunately, options like Vaser Lipo allow us to remove specific areas of fat in a more gentle and less invasive manner.
Removing specific areas of fat: how it works
If you’re picturing a surgeon removing specific areas of fat by aggressively dislodging fat with a thick metal rod, you are not picturing our method. Instead, the method we use depends on ultrasound to dislodge fat gently and carefully. An important benefit of this fat removal technique is that we can use it on both large or small areas of fat. We can slim-down parts of your body like the abdomen or back, which may have larger pockets of fat. But we can also do detailed contouring since this system allows us to work carefully and in small areas. After we use ultrasound to break up the fat, we remove the fat from your body through small incisions and thin tubes called micro-cannulas.
Targeted fat reduction options: areas we treat
Anyone who has questions about a specific area of fat they want to target, should schedule a consultation. It is only through a private consultation with an experienced surgeon that we can truly educate you on what results you can expect from targeted fat reduction. In general, areas that patients have treated for unwanted pockets of fat include:
- Jowls and chin
- Neck
- Arms
- Breast area (for both males and females)
- Abdomen
- Back including ‘bra rolls’
- Hips/love handles
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Knees
- Calves
- Ankles
Targeted fat removal: the day of your procedure
On the day of your procedure to remove specific areas of fat, we will ask you to have a friend or family member drive you to your appointment. We will use anesthesia that allows you to be calm and comfortable throughout the procedure, and this generally requires you to have someone available to drive you home. Your treatment will last one to several hours, depending on how many areas of fat you’ve chosen to target, as well as the size of those areas. Once we’ve completed the ultrasound treatment and the fat removal, you will be ready to go home that same day.
Targeted fat removal: recovery
After your procedure to remove targeted areas of fat, we’ll ask you to plan to rest for at least a day, and wait several weeks before doing any strenuous activity. During your healing phase, we will likely require you to wear compression garments. These garments help to reduce swelling, and promote healing. You can expect to have some bruising and swelling, although this is generally notably less than with traditional liposuction techniques. The recovery after minimally invasive liposuction is usually quicker and easier than recovery after traditional liposuction. Any swelling can make it difficult to see your final results right away, but with time the swelling will subside and you will see your improved, leaner, more toned body shape. Most patients see some results quickly, and their final results after a few months.
Targeted fat reduction: candidates
Who is a candidate for targeted fat removal? One important consideration is that candidates should be at or near a weight they are happy with. If someone wants to lose a substantial amount of weight, they should wait to have liposuction. This procedure is most effective for people near their goal weight who have pockets of unwanted fat. Ideal candidates are also:
- Non smokers
- In good health overall
- Are not looking for overall weight loss
- Have realistic expectations
- Do not have any of the following medical conditions: diabetes, blood clotting disorders, vascular problems, or circulatory disease
FAQs about removing specific areas of fat
Can I have more than one area of fat treated at once?
Yes, if you have several specific areas of fat you want to target, we can usually treat those at the time time. Please schedule a consultation so we can review the areas you’d like fat removed from. This is the best way for us to advise about the potential for treating all of your desired areas in one session.
If I have fat removed, can I have it transferred to another part of my body?
Yes, with the Vaser Lipo procedure that we use, we have the potential to transfer the removed fat to another area of your body. Common areas include the breasts for a natural breast augmentation, or the butt for a Brazilian Butt Lift.
How much time do I need to take off work if I have a procedure to remove targeted areas of fat?
The amount of time you’ll need off work depends on 2 factors. The first factor is your procedure, and specifically how many areas you have treated and how much fat you have removed. The second factor is your job. Someone with a desk job can usually return to work quickly, whereas someone with a very physical job will likely need more time off. Some patients can have their treatment on a Thursday or Friday and be back to work by Monday, as long as their job does not require strenuous activity. Other patients find they prefer to take a week or more off. While Vaser Lipo generally has a very quick initial recovery time, you may choose to take a few extra days off to recuperate. You’ll also want to make sure to have help around the house during your first few days, especially if you have small children that need to be lifted.
Why are you asking me not to exercise after Vaser Lipo?
The reason we ask you to take it easy for weeks, even if you feel well within a few days of your procedure, is that more activity leads to more swelling. Remember that walking is great for recovery, and promotes healing. But more strenuous activity will lead to prolonged swelling in the areas you had treated.
If you are hoping to reduce select areas of fat, a minimally invasive liposuction treatment like Vaser Lipo may be a good option for you. To learn more about this treatment option, please get in touch with us. We are happy to schedule a consultation with you where we can help you understand if you are a good candidate for this type of procedure, and what sort of results you can expect.
