So why doesn’t all this hard work always yield the desired results? Below, Dr. Rudy Coscia explains the underlying factors that stand in the way of success; he also discusses what to do to address the issue of belly fat.

Why Some People Can’t Lose Belly Fat Despite Diet and Exercise

Several factors may contribute to difficulty losing belly fat. One common reason is genetics. Some people may have a predisposition to storing fat in the abdominal region, and thereby making any lifestyle modifications proves futile.

Another reason is hormonal imbalances, such as elevated cortisol levels due to chronic stress. Additionally, age-related changes in metabolism and muscle mass can make it harder to lose belly fat.

Treatments for a Flat Belly

If you aren’t happy with your workout and diet plans, you can try surgical treatments to get a flat belly. One of the most popular treatments is liposuction, which can remove excess fat deposits from various targeted areas of the body, including the abdomen.

During liposuction, Dr. Coscia uses a thin tube called a cannula to suction out fat cells for a more contoured appearance. Liposuction can provide results far more noticeable than what can be achieved through lifestyle modifications. However, while this popular procedure can effectively reduce localized fat deposits, it is not a weight loss solution and is not appropriate for anyone who struggles to maintain a healthy weight.

Another surgical option for achieving a flat belly is abdominoplasty, commonly known as tummy tuck. This procedure is ideal if you have excess fat and skin and weakened abdominal muscles resulting from significant weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or aging. Dr. Coscia can surgically remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tighten the muscles to create a firmer, flatter abdominal shape.

In addition to liposuction and abdominoplasty, there are minimally invasive procedures available for non-surgical fat reduction. CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved fat removal procedure that harnesses the power of cooling technology to freeze away belly fat.

Book a Consultation With Dr. Rudy Coscia

While getting rid of belly fat can be challenging, it is not impossible. You can rely on the right strategies and guidance to get a flat tummy. If you want to achieve a flawlessly flat belly, book an appointment with Dr. Coscia today. Let our team provide you with personalized recommendations and help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

To help his patients in Sacramento, Granite Bay and Coeur d’Alene who want to eliminate their stubborn flab, plastic surgeon Dr. Rudy Coscia offers two body contouring procedures: liposuction and CoolSculpting. In this blog, he discusses the differences between these procedures.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a body contouring surgery that suctions out excess fat cells. Dr. Coscia provides patients with general anesthesia to keep them comfortable during the surgery. At his practice, he performs tumescent liposuction. During this procedure, fluid is injected through a cannula (or hollow tube) via tiny incisions. This fluid helps to break up fat so it can be suctioned our more easily. Dr. Coscia then carefully molds the remaining fat into an appealing shape.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is a less-invasive procedure for fat reduction that does not require anesthesia. Instead of suctioning out fat cells, CoolSculpting freezes the fat cells (cryolipolysis). Because fat has difficulty surviving these cold temperatures, many of the cells are destroyed and gradually expelled from the body in the coming weeks.

Considering Your Options

The primary difference between these fat reduction surgeries is their level of invasiveness.

Because CoolSculpting does not involve physically removing fat cells, it boasts an easier and briefer recovery period than liposuction. CoolSculpting tends to reduce a significant but limited amount of fat cells, whereas liposuction eliminates more fat cells. Therefore, liposuction can achieve a more complete transformation. If you prefer CoolSculpting, you can also choose  to repeat CoolSculpting a month or so later to further enhance your results.

 Discuss Body Contouring with Dr. Coscia

Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of preference. Both liposuction and CoolSculpting are safe and effective procedures that can help you to reattain your desired body shape. Neither procedure should be mistaken for a weight loss surgery, however. Body contouring is ideal for patients who are close to their goal weight and want to address the stubborn deposits of fat. To learn more about either option from Dr. Coscia, please request a consultation online.

Abdomen

More fat cells reside around the stomach than in other parts of the body, making it particularly susceptible to weight gain. Stomach fat cells are also less receptive to breaking down than other types of fat cells, which is why fat seems to linger longer in this area even after achieving positive results in other parts of the body.

A person’s diet plays a large role in fat deposits forming in this area. Processed foods with high fat, sugar and carbohydrate contents all increase the likelihood of developing fat around the midsection. Excess belly fat suggests that the body may be having difficulty handling insulin.

Thighs

For women, the main reason for weight gain in the thighs is estrogen. Around the age of puberty, an increase in the female hormone level also leads to an increase of fat cells around the thighs — and the buttocks as well. By the time the body slows its production of estrogen around menopause, the weight does not necessarily come off easily since the body’s natural metabolism also slows, making weight loss more difficult.

Upper Arms

Fat is also likely to accumulate on the upper arms. In many circumstances, the blame lies with a lack of testosterone. Since testosterone can push fat cells to release excess fat into the blood stream, women are at an automatic disadvantage due to their naturally low levels of testosterone. Some men have or develop lower levels of testosterone, which leads to excess arm fat. When testosterone is the culprit, diet and exercise will be less effective at targeting arm fat.

What You Can Do

If you have been unable to shed the fat around your stomach, thighs, upper arms or elsewhere, cosmetic procedures may be the best way to overcome the biological limitations and achieve the body you have worked hard for. Liposuction is the most effective method. This popular surgery suctions out unwanted fat cells, and the results are permanent so long as the patient maintains a steady weight.

You may also be interested in a non-surgical alternative that can also target pockets of fat: CoolSculpting. Although the results from CoolSculpting are not as dramatic as those achieved via liposuction, it does freeze (and eliminate) up to 25% of fat cells in a treated area, and the recovery period shorter.

To speak to Dr. Coscia about the best ways to target lingering fat deposits, please schedule a consultation by calling 916-773-5559 (Granite Bay) or 916-929-1833 (Sacramento) at your earliest convenience.