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Can Liposuction Remove Belly Fat?

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Can Liposuction Get Rid Of Belly Fat?

Liposuction aims to remove fat from isolated areas of the body, making it an excellent option if you want a flat stomach. While stomach liposuction can be a solution for getting rid of stubborn fat, there are some caveats about whether this procedure will work for your specific concerns.

So, how much weight can you lose with liposuction, you may ask? Liposuction removes excess fat from the belly area but does not result in significant weight loss, so it is not the answer if your goal is to shed some pounds. 

If your primary goal is to lose weight, you should first try traditional weight loss methods such as a nutritional diet and an exercise routine that works for you. Once you reach your goal weight using these approaches, liposuction helps refine your new contour by sculpting the stubborn areas diet and exercise could not address on their own.

While belly fat is one of the most common concerns to address with liposuction, this body contouring procedure is also effective for reducing pockets of fat on the arms, chin, neck, thighs, and more. Dr. Liland is also skilled with arm liposuction, chin liposuction, and neck liposuction.

If your concerns are more related to loose skin and fat on the belly, a tummy tuck may be a better option for helping you target puffiness and sagging in your lower abdomen. Dr. Liland often combines liposuction along with tummy tucks for patients with protruding tissue caused by pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging to get the best results when tightening and removing.

The maximum amount of fat removed with liposuction is typically around 8-10 pounds, as removing too much fat can lead to complications because some fat is necessary.

Subcutaneous Fat vs. Visceral Fat

While stomach liposuction can yield dramatic results in removing stubborn belly fat, it’s essential to understand two fat types are in the abdomen.

Subcutaneous fat, or the fat directly beneath the skin, is often called “pinchable” fat. You can notice how much you have based on the thickness of your skin when you pinch certain areas of your body. Liposuction can effectively remove subcutaneous fat and may give you excellent results if you have a thick skin fold when you pinch your belly.

Visceral fat, or the fat surrounding your internal organs, is inside your abdominal cavity underneath your abdominal muscles. Liposuction will not remove this type of fat, so if your stomach fat is primarily visceral, the only solution for achieving a flat stomach is to lose weight through traditional weight loss approaches.

Does Stomach Liposuction Require General Anesthesia?

If you’re looking for a substantial reduction in stomach fat, you’ll need to be under general anesthesia to have it removed safely. Sometimes, for minimal fat removal, local anesthesia is used.

Stomach Liposuction: Effects, Cost & Pain

Be aware that liposuction does not tighten loose muscles or skin that leaves your belly saggy and puffy. If you have poor skin elasticity, you’ll likely need to combine your stomach liposuction with a tummy tuck to avoid worsening the look of the loose skin and muscles.

You may be wondering if stomach liposuction will give you a six-pack. While traditional lipo techniques target stubborn fat in your abdomen, which can help reveal your muscles, it doesn’t necessarily promote dramatic definition. If you want your abdomen to appear dramatically defined, you may want to look into ab etching, also known as HD lipo, to achieve those six-pack abs.

The cost of stomach liposuction ranges between $4,000 and $7,000, according to RealSelf. If you’re more interested in abdominal etching, this procedure takes more time and precision from your surgeon and costs over $9,000 on average, based on patient reviews on RealSelf.

As you’ll most likely be under general anesthesia for your stomach liposuction, you won’t feel any pain at all during the surgery itself. To minimize any discomfort during recovery, we provide pain medications and a detailed regimen of when to take them to stay ahead of the pain. 

Recovery After Stomach Liposuction

What is liposuction of the stomach recovery like? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it’s normal to experience some moderate pain and soreness for the first few days of lipo recovery.  You will have a medication regimen to limit discomfort. Any initial bruising and swelling will naturally fade within about 2 weeks.

During the first few days after your surgery, fluid may drain from your incisions, initially appearing bloody but becoming clear after a few days. Small drains may be placed at the surgical site to prevent fluid accumulation. Dr. Liland will give patients detailed instructions on how to care for drains and how long they should be in place.

You will be given compression garments after liposuction to wrap around your stomach. You should wear these as instructed by your surgical team as they help reduce swelling and your new body contour heal properly.

Be prepared to limit your activity during the first week after your stomach liposuction. Avoid unnecessary activity and plan to have some assistance around the house for the first few days.

Most patients can get back into more strenuous activities after 6 weeks. You’ll no longer need to wear your compression garments at this stage.

How Long Do Stomach Lipo Results Last?

You should be able to enjoy your results after stomach lipo permanently because your body does not regrow removed fat cells in that area. It’s still vital, however, to avoid weight fluctuations after surgery.

If you want to keep your newly contoured, flat stomach intact, try not to gain over 10 pounds of fat following your procedure. You can ensure long-lasting results by exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and maintaining a nutrient-dense diet.

Ready to achieve a flatter stomach and increased confidence in your body? To determine if this body contouring procedure will help you achieve your goals, request a consultation with Dr. David Liland in Dallas.