Body Fat: The Good, the Bad, and the Treatable?
Now that we have gone over the different types of body fat… its time for the bad news! Aesthetically, we can only treat subcutaneous fat, NOT visceral fat!
To review, subcutaneous fat is the fat stored under the skin and visceral fat is stored in the abdomen and around organs.
Options to treat unwanted subcutaneous fat are:
Lifestyle Changes:
Diet & Exercise: the lower your body fat percentage, the less pinchable fat you have on the body. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has proven to be beneficial for long-term health. Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Adequate Sleep: aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night, as sleep deprivation can negatively impact metabolism and hormone regulation.
Stress Management: chronic stress can contribute to weight gain. Find healthy ways to manage stress such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.
Weight-Loss Pharmaceuticals:
Appetite Suppressants: reduce huinger and cravings
Phentermine, Topiramate, Diethylpropion
Lipase Inhibitors: prevent the body from absorbing fat
Orlistat
GLP-1 Agonists: promote satiety and reduce caloric intake
Liraglutide, Semaglutide , Tirzepatide
Naltrexone-Bupropion: increases metabolism and reduces cravings
Contrave
Setmelanotide: activates receptors in the brain that regulate appetite.
Imcivree
Non-Surgical:
Injection Lipolysis: involves injecting a substance that breaks down fat cells. (i.e. Kybella)
Cryolipolysis: uses cold temperatures to freeze and destroy fat cells. (i.e CoolSculpting)
Laser Lipolysis: uses laser energy to heat and destroy fat cells. (i.e. SculpSure)
Radiofrequency Lipolysis: uses radio waves to heat and destroy fat cells. (i.e. truSculpt)
Surgical:
Liposuction – a surgical option performed by a Plastic Surgeon to remove unwanted fat cells. Provides more dramatic and permanent results but with a longer recovery period.