shrink the stomach without surgery
Many people, whether those are trying to lose their weight or get ride of postpartum fat, face the tough challenge of removing stomach fat. Despite a difficult diet and constant exercise, the fat sometimes seems stubborn and does not go away easily.
Why is it difficult to lose stomach fat?
Due to the special position of stomach fat in the body, it is much more difficult to remove than fat in other regions. This type of fat, called “visceral fat”, accumulates deep in the abdomen and around vital organs such as the liver and intestines, not under the skin.
Along with location, visceral fat is “active” so that it secretes the hormones that can stimulate more fat storage in the abdomen.
Other factors also play a role in the stubbornness of stomach fat as follows.
- Gender: Women, especially menopausal ones, lose stomach fat more difficultly due to hormonal changes.
- Stress: Cortisol hormone, released during stress, increases fat storage in the abdominal area.
- Lifestyle: An unhealthy diet, full of sugar and alcohol, prevents stomach fat from losing.
In addition, other factors such as genetics and some diseases can contribute to fat accumulation in the abdominal region.
However, the good news is that there are ways other than surgery to get rid of this excess fat. Several non-surgical methods have been provided for body contouring and local fat removal, which can help you achieve the desired body.
How can non-surgical stomach fat removal be permanent?
Contrary to popular belief, the number of fat cells in the body remains constant throughout life. These cells become bigger by gaining weight, causing obesity and overweight. On the other hand, weight loss through diet and exercise results in shrinking fat cells and assisting in fitness.
There are different methods to remove stomach fat without surgery. Some of these approaches target and remove fat cells, which leads to their permanent loss and significantly contributes to the stability of the outcomes.
Mechanism of action
- Fat cell removal: Methods such as liposuction, fat freezing (cryolipolysis), and deoxycholic acid injection permanently remove fat cells.
- Fat cell shrinkage: Procedures like ultrasound and heat laser shrink fat cells and help in fitness.
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What is the best non-surgical approach to get rid of stomach fat?
Today, various non-surgical methods are available to get rid of stubborn stomach fat, of which some are more popular and more effective. Some of these approaches are discussed in the following.
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Methods based on fat cell freezing
- Cryolipolysis (coolsculpting): Cryolipolysis, also known as “coolsculping”, applies extreme cold for freezing and removing fat cells in the desired area. Coolsculpting is considered a gold standard procedure at Vujevich Dermatology Associates.
- Body contouring using the TempSure FlexSure: This non-invasive approach removes fat cells by heating them.
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Methods based on fat cell destruction
- Laser therapy (SculpSure): In this method, the controlled heat of laser is utilized to remove fat cells.
- Ultrasound cavitation: Regarding this procedure, focused sound waves break the wall of fat cells, causing fat release.
- Injection of deoxycholic acid (Keybella): Deoxycholic acid injection destroys fat cells, which is mostly used for the chin area.
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Methods based on fat cell shrinkage
- Red light therapy: This approach uses red light to shrink fat cells.
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Minimally-invasive methods
- Intragastric balloon: This procedure involves the temporary placement (about six months) of a balloon (e.g., Orbera balloons) in the patient’s stomach. This balloon occupies the space of the stomach, which creates the feeling of early fullness and limits the amount of food received in each meal.
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Surgical methods
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG): In this technique, endoscopy is applied to reduce the stomach to a narrow sleeve to significantly decrease the stomach volume and tendency to gluttony.
| Method | Explanations | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cryolipolysis (coolsculpting) | Fat cells are frozen and removed through extreme cold. | Non-invasive, no downtime | Outcomes may take several weeks, mild pain and temporary redness |
| Body contouring using the TempSure FlexSure | Fat cells are removed through heating. | Non-invasive, no downtime | Outcomes may take several weeks, mild pain and temporary redness |
| Laser therapy (SculpSure) | The controlled heat of laser results in destroying fat cells. | Non-invasive, no downtime | Outcomes may take several weeks, mild pain and temporary redness |
| Ultrasound cavitation | Focused sound waves break the wall of fat cells and lead to fat release. | Non-invasive, no downtime | Outcomes may require several treatment sessions, mild pain and temporary bruising |
| Injection of deoxycholic acid (Keybella) | Injecting deoxycholic acid causes fat cell destruction. | Suitable for small areas | Pain, swelling, redness, and bruising in the injection site |
| Red light therapy | Red light is utilized to shrink fat cells. | Non-invasive, no downtime |
It may require several treatment sessions, its effectiveness has not yet been fully proven.
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| Intragastric balloon | A balloon is placed in the stomach, which induces the feeling of fullness earlier because of occupying the space of the stomach. | Significant weight loss | Invasive, need for endoscopy, possible side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain |
| Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) | Endoscopy is used to reduce the stomach to a narrow sleeve. | Significant weight loss, permanent outcomes | Invasive, need for anesthesia, possible side effects such as indigestion, hair loss, and vitamin deficiency |
Selecting the best procedure for stomach fat removal depends on a variety of factors like fat level, medical history, health conditions, and personal preferences. Consultation with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can help you choose the best method
Important points that should be highlighted
- Non-surgical stomach-shrinking procedures are not an alternative to a healthy diet and regular exercise.
- To achieve the best outcomes, you should make sustainable changes in your lifestyle along with applying these methods.
- Before starting any treatment, you should consult a specialist doctor and discuss all your questions and concerns.
- These procedures are only appropriate for local fat, not for general obesity.
- They may not be suitable for individuals with loose or sagging skin.
End point
If you are looking for a non-surgical way to get rid of your stomach fat, there are several methods. Following consultation with a specialist, you can choose the best procedure and achieve your desired body.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can you get rid of stomach fat without surgery?
Yes, there are many non-surgical methods to get rid of stomach fat. They are known as “local body contouring” or “local fat removal”.
Why is it difficult to lose stomach fat?
Among the fat in the body, the removal of stomach fat (visceral fat) is much more difficult due to its position in abdominal deep and around vital organs. Further, this type of fat is “active” and secretes the hormones stimulating the storage of more fat in the abdomen.
Other factors such as gender (femaleness, especially in postmenopausal period), stress, and unhealthy lifestyle can also play a role in accumulating stomach fat.