Areas Prone to the Accumulation of Excess Fat - Treatment Options

While genetics generally dictate where body fat accumulates, there are areas specific to both men and women that are more likely to be affected by excess fat, whether or not the individual is being conscientious about a diet and exercise routine. No matter how hard a person works out or how balanced his or her diet is, there is still going to be some fat accumulation.

Fat is essential for the body to function properly, which is why women who do not have a high enough fat percentage can sometimes experience health complications. In general, the body will store fat no matter what a person does to get rid of it - but there are some ways to reduce even the most stubborn deposits.

Areas that Accumulate Fat

In women, there are many areas that will gather fat. The hips are the most obvious and most common area. While men may develop a “beer belly,” women often have even distribution of fat around the hips and stomach area. This begins in adolescence, as the body prepares itself for child bearing. Even if a woman has never been pregnant, the body is almost constantly preparing for a baby, and having ample fat deposits allows the body to be sure that it will have enough nutrients to support a baby, should one come along. This is why it is so difficult for women to lose weight once they have gained it - the body wants to hold on to it in case a baby is conceived.

Women will also see fat accumulate on the upper arms and around the face. Most women carry their fat evenly around the body, allowing them to look proportional, even if they have a little extra weight. Men, on the other hand, almost always carry their weight around their trunk. Not only is this extremely bad for the heart, it can cause back problems and can make it difficult to find clothes that fit properly. However, no matter where the fat accumulates, there are treatment options to help get rid of it.

Treatment Options

When diet and exercise have failed, most people will turn to plastic surgery. This is the best way to get rid of those stubborn fat deposits, after traditional methods have not produced the desired results. The best excess fat removal treatment is liposuction. It is one of the most common and effective methods to get rid of fat. In this procedure, the plastic surgeon actually removes the fat cells from the body, slimming down the treatment area. When paired with a healthy lifestyle, liposuction can be an effective and long-lasting solution.

There are also laser treatments that claim to reduce the size and density of fat deposits beneath the skin, by pulsing them with radio frequencies or ultrasonic waves. However, even with the development of these non-invasive treatment options, liposuction remains the gold standard when it comes to the permanent removal of fat.

For more information about fat deposits and how to fight them, contact Crawford Plastic Surgery today.