Having excess or unwanted fat can look unflattering or unattractive for some people, which is why a lot are going into weight loss journeys in an effort to trim away and remove fat. Whether it’s through exercise, a strict diet or a combination of both, weight loss has become an important cultural phenomenon and it has not only helped people lose weight but has also encouraged people to continue living a healthy lifestyle.
There are times, however, that stubborn fat can remain and become hard to remove from just diet and exercise. For one, our body has no exact way by which it burns fat on each area of the body. This is why sometimes even those who follow a strict weight loss routine can still find it hard to remove fat on specific spots on the body. To remove this stubborn fat, it might be beneficial to consider fat removal options such as surgery or another alternative procedure.
What Factors Should be Considered before Committing to a Procedure?
For fat removal, there are multiple methods of doing it. You will have to consider multiple factors before you choose to commit on a particular fat removal method, including:
- Invasiveness of the procedure
- Total cost of the procedure
- Location of the fat removal
- Treatment/operation time
- Recovery time
- Side effects of the method
- Pain/discomfort or the lack thereof during the procedure
- How long before results show up
- How long the results last
What Fat Removal Options are Available?
Some of the fat removal methods available right now include the following:
- Liposuction
One of the most popular methods of fat removal is through liposuction, which is a surgical procedure. In this method, the doctor will make multiple incisions on the treatment area and will insert a thin tube called a cannula. The other end of the cannula is attached to a vacuum that sucks fat and fluids from the body. There should be no pain/discomfort as the patient will be under anesthesia during the procedure. Immediate results can be observed after a liposuction; however, it will take a couple of days for the incisions to heal.
- Cryolipolysis
Also known as fat freezing, cryolipolysis involves the use of low temperatures to freeze fat. Due to fat having a higher freezing point compared to our skin, the temperature can be controlled so that only the fat gets frozen while other tissues are left unharmed. This freezing process destroys the fat and your body will then begin its natural healing process and remove the destroyed fat. Cryolipolysis is a noninvasive procedure, which makes it less likely to have side effects compared to invasive procedures like liposuction.
During the procedure, the doctor uses two paddles which are then positioned around the targeted area for fat removal. These paddles then cool quickly and leave them in place for about 30 to 80 minutes. During this process, the cold temperature destroys about 25% of the fat tissue on the applied region. It usually takes around 1 to 2 months for the final results to occur, as the treatment relies on the body’s natural healing to get rid of the destroyed fat cells, however you may notice gradual changes as the weeks go by after the treatment.
- Shockwave, Vacuum and Multipolar Radiofrequency
Another method for fat removal involves the use of a combination of these 3 technologies – shockwave treatment, vacuum therapy and multipolar radiofrequency (RF) treatments. Shockwave and vacuum therapy aims to destroy the underlying fat cells on treatment areas while keeping the surrounding areas unaffected, similar to what cryolipolysis does. Once that’s done, a multipolar radiofrequency device is then applied to the treated area to stimulate collagen production, that aims to tighten loose skin, a common side effect of fat removal. All three treatments are noninvasive and will not require any incisions, making them a great option for those that are unsure of going under the knife.
- Kybella injections
Another nonsurgical option for fat removal is through the use of Kybella injections. In a Kybella injection treatment, a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid is injected into the target areas for fat removal. Deoxycholic acid is a bile acid, which is produced by our body naturally to help digest fat. Once the Kybella injections are done, the acid targets fat tissue and destroys them so that it can no longer store fat. An experienced doctor or health professional should be the one to administer these injections, as there is a risk of the injections destroying other cells if they are not done correctly.
After the procedure, you may notice some pain, swelling, redness, numbness or bruising around the injected area. These side effects should go away in a few days and should not be causes for concern. To get the full results, a Kybella injection treatment usually requires around two to six sessions of injections, depending on the doctor’s assessment. You should notice changes after each session and experience the best results once you’ve finished the whole treatment plan.
- Laser fat removal treatment
Another popular noninvasive treatment for fat removal is through a laser treatment. One popular laser fat removal treatment is Agnes Fat Melt, which uses a radiofrequency (RF) laser to deliver RF energy to the underlying fat tissues on the face without damaging the skin. This causes fat lipolysis, which is the breakdown of fat cells. Eventually, your body’s natural processes will dispose of these destroyed fat cells and thus, removing unwanted fat.
The procedure is generally pain-free and takes around 30 to 60 minutes to finish. There may be some redness and swelling on the treatment area after the procedure but should gradually disappear in a week or two. To reduce the discomfort, patients may apply an ice pack on the treatment area every 30 minutes to reduce discomfort and swelling. Full effects of the treatment should appear in about 2 to 6 months after the procedure. This can vary as well, with some patients seeing results in as early as a week after the treatment.
Ozhean Zoey Medical & Aesthetic Clinic
111 Somerset Road
#04-10 Triple One Somerset
Singapore 238164
+65 6235 4534
