What Nobody Tells You About Fat Removal

Posted by amrina alshaikh on June 29th, 2021

It is the bane of your life. As hard as you try, you are unable to make any impression on the fatty bulges on your body. You have started wearing loose clothing that doesn’t hug the contours of your body so that the fat will remain hidden. You have followed a rigorous exercise and diet regimen that worked at first. But the last few pounds and inches of fat just won’t budge, and you are at your wit’s end.

At this point, you are willing to try surgical treatments like fat freezing and conventional liposuction. But you must be aware of some facts about them, before you start setting up appointments with doctors. The following sections tell you what you may not know about fat removal methods in Riyadh.

* Fat freezing is recommended more than traditional liposuction.

Fat removal using liposuction is still a popular method used by doctors all over the world. In essence, it permanently removes fat cells that lead to fatty deposits and visible bulges. However, there are certain risks for certain people wanting the procedure (see the next section for more details). Meanwhile, fat freezing treatment is recommended more because it is totally non-invasive and has less downtime. It uses a process of delivering cold temperature to the targeted fat cells to freeze them – this kills the cells and they are gradually eliminated from the body via lymphatic drainage. The destroyed fat cells do not return, and the treated area may not develop new fatty deposits unless new cells are created. Fat freezing treatments are extremely popular in Riyadh and UAE, especially to deal with extra fat in the arms and abdomen area. The treatment outcomes last for a minimum of six months. Some people may require repeat sessions after this time.

* Fat removal using liposuction is not a treatment for obesity.

Most people think that fat removal using liposuction is a treatment for obesity or morbid obesity. It is a treatment that is used for smaller portions of fat removal. In fact, it is not recommended for morbidly overweight people because of the risks of the body reacting violently to the fat removal. There are documented cases of people experiencing heart attacks – the demise of singer Kanye West’s mother due to multiple liposuction procedures comes to mind – and suffering other health risks due to the procedure. One must have a standard body weight, firm and elastic skin, and good lifestyle habits (no smoking or drinking alcohol) to undergo the procedure.

* Liposuction fat removal does not remove every kind of fat or skin deformity.

People hoping to undergo liposuction believe that it removes every kind of fat. It doesn’t. Not only is it not recommended for large volumes of fat, but it is also not useful to remove cellulite and fat under the skin that leads to a dimpled appearance. It also has no effect on stretch marks. In fact, it might contribute to stretch marks in treated areas unless the skin is resurfaced post fat removal. Also, if you do not take the effort to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle post liposuction, the remaining fat cells (not removed by the procedure) might become bigger in size and create new fat deposits and bulges.

* The results of fat removal are not as dramatic as you might think.

We hate to rain on your parade, but did you think that fat removal using surgical methods results in an instantly svelte frame? That happens only in films and TV shows. In fact, your doctor will explain that the results of the procedure take about a couple of months to show – this time is required for the body to eliminate the destroyed fat cells gradually by lymphatic drainage. The body does not eliminate the waste matter all at once. So you must be patient and help the body maintain the results of the procedure with good diet and exercise.

* The methods are permanent, but…

Both fat freezing treatments and liposuction kill fat cells in the targeted areas. Small areas of fat are dealt with at a time, instead of vast volumes. This means that while the targeted cells are finished off, there are other fat cells still lurking around the treated area. If you do not exercise and eat right to keep yourself slim, the remaining fat cells might become larger in size and create new fat deposits. You must be vigilant about this, or undergo a repeat procedure after a few months. Consult with experienced exercise trainers and nutritionists to get workout and diet tips for daily life.

* Fat removal can treat certain medical conditions.

Though fat freezing and liposuction are cosmetic procedures, they can be used to treat certain serious medical conditions. These include edema, lymphedema (excess fluid collection in the limbs causing edema), lipodystrophy syndrome (fat collection in one part of the body for no apparent reason), gynecomastia (fat accumulation under the man’s breasts) and lipoma (benign fatty tumours).

Excess fat is the one of the biggest enemies for mankind. Not only does it look ugly and show up in bulges and rolls under your clothing, it also poses grave health risks. For example, an increase in abdominal fat increases your risk of developing heart disease. Excess body fat can be reduced through regular exercise and eating the right foods. But if your fat stubbornly refuses to budge despite months of dieting and working out, you should seek a doctor’s help to get liposuction treatment in Dubai.

The city is home to scores of skilled cosmetic surgeons who can easily perform liposuction. But what is this surgery all about, and how does it help you? Let’s find out.

What is liposuction?

Simply put, it is a cosmetic procedure that removes stubborn reserves of fat from the body. It is often the last resort of people who have tried to shape their bodies using diet and exercise. While exercise and a healthy diet does help in shedding a lot of fat, the last stubborn deposits (most of them visceral fat) refuse to budge. These are then removed by liposuction procedures so that you may attain the ideal silhouette you’ve always desired.

What are the kinds of liposuction surgeries?

All forms of liposuction essentially destroy targeted fat cells. The destroyed fat cells do not return because they are created only once in any part of the body during your lifespan. There are three main kinds of liposuction treatments done in Dubai. These are:

1 Traditional or tumescent liposuction: This is the most common procedure, performed by literally vacuuming out the targeted fat. The area to be treated is first injected with a solution of saline, epinephrine and lidocaine. The solution numbs the area slightly, and makes the fat easier to suction out of the body. There is some pain with the procedure, but not much blood loss.

2 UAL or Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction: This procedure uses sound waves that are shot at the fat via the skin. The sound wave frequency is adjusted to break the fat cell membranes. The cells are then easier to break down and remove by suction.

3 Laser removal: This is also known as the SmartLipo technique. It uses a laser beam to produce a burst of heat energy that liquifies the fat and makes it easier for the body to discard it naturally.

Whatever technique the doctor uses for you, the results must be supplemented with regular exercise and diet. This is done so that the remaining fat cells in the treated areas do not become bigger in size and create new fatty deposits.

Is it safe for all?

Unfortunately, not every person can undergo liposuction. After all, it is a surgical procedure and carries some element of risk. It is important to set your expectations on a realistic scale, especially if you are:

• Morbidly obese or about 20 kgs above your ideal weight
• A smoker or have compromised immunity or lung health
• Have lax skin
• Diabetic, or have heart issues, among others
• Looking to remove cellulite – liposuction does not help with it

Are you a good candidate for it?

Your doctor is the best judge of whether liposuction treatment is right for you. They must discuss the entire gamut of risks, goals, outcomes, and costs before greenlighting the procedure. Please ask the surgeon all your questions at this stage.

The doctor might decide another course of action or procedure if you are allergic to any of the substances that may be injected or used as part of the procedure, or if your current medication may pose health risks post-operation. The doctor may ask you to stop taking any or all of your medications and supplements for at least two weeks before the operation.

Next, you have to prepare for the surgery as per the doctor’s instructions. These largely pertain to diet and lifestyle restrictions. There is also a set of post-surgery care instructions, such as not indulging in strenuous activity or exercise in the treated areas for a few days, not wearing tight clothing that constricts the treated area, etc. You must also impose dietary restrictions on yourself – do not consume heavy meals laden with carbs and fats for at least 48 hours, and eat smaller portions instead of big meals.

What happens right after the surgery?

You won’t walk into surgery with fat bulges and walk out with an hourglass figure. The doctor will explain beforehand that the results take a few weeks to show. The destroyed fat cells and tissue, if treated to laser fat removal, are discarded naturally by the body over a few weeks. If the fat is removed by traditional liposuction methods, then the treated area may need to be reshaped with a separate procedure. The skin in the treated area may also need to be ‘corrected’ to look more natural.

You must give the procedure time to settle and show results. This may take even up to two months.