Body Contouring is Not the End of the Road

Body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty and liposuction are known for the results they achieve. When diet and exercise fail to bring out the best in the body, surgical treatments can. This is nothing new and it doesn’t mean a person has failed at mastering their own body fat. The fact is, fat is tricky. Being that this is so, removing stubborn fat through liposuction and tightening the abdomen with a tummy tuck is not viewed as the end of the road. Patients must develop or continue making good choices for their body to maintain both appearance and optimal health.

All Fat is Not Created Equal

Every so often, we hear the phrases “good fat” and “bad fat.” Usually, they relate to what we’re putting on our plates, not to the types of fat that are present in the body. We typically look at all fat on the body as bad, especially when it affects appearance. When liposuction removes that bad, unpleasantly visible fat, we’re in the clear, right? Wrong. There is still a possibility of hidden fat developing after body contouring.

The Dangers of Visceral Fat

The fat that is targeted with liposuction is subcutaneous. It lies beneath the skin but not very deep. Visceral fat is a type of fat that can develop deep within the abdominal cavity. Because of its location, visceral fat isn’t immediately seen. Hidden far beneath the skin and muscle, visceral fat pushes against vital organs. It also affects the body’s cholesterol, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and cardiac health. Visceral fat can neither be removed by or prevented by having liposuction or a tummy tuck. Only diet and exercise can do this.

Avoid Visceral Fat

Patients who undergo liposuction are encouraged to begin moving around as soon as possible. Initially, short walks and light activities are intended to prevent post-surgical blood clots. After about six weeks of healing, however, activity level can increase substantially to include aerobic and strength training exercises that keep visceral fat from forming. Additionally, weight management is more easily controlled when patients eat lean meats and fresh vegetables instead of fast food and processed foods. Healthy dietary fats like olive oil and avocado oil are also beneficial for healthy weight management.

We are pleased to serve patients from Houston and Sugar Land . To learn more about liposuction and other body contouring treatments, call 713.271.9000.

Posted in: Body Contouring

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