Stretch marks, cellulite and fat, oh my!
Waistline woes are a common complaint of women and men, alike. The midsection can be a problem for many due to that “tire” of fat that rests at the waist and hips, stretch marks that form as a result, cellulite, or loose skin that remains following dramatic weight loss or childbirth. Although these issues can be a consequence of poor diet or lack of exercise, the prominence of fat at the midsection is largely determined by your genetics. Remember, the body’s storage of fat at the midsection is a survival strategy pioneered by your ancestors and is a basic biological function of the body. Conditioned to endure long winters and famine, long before the existence of Whole Foods or McDonald’s, it is the body’s natural instinct to want to maximize energy efficiency in its creation, storage and use of body fat.
The midsection is the best place to store extra energy, also known as fat, because it takes less energy to carry it around. If extra fat were stored in the hands and feet, you would be forced to swing them around as you moved, requiring extra caloric expenditure. It is your body decides where to put fat and when to remove it. As a result, despite your best efforts to trim down that tummy, being successful at doing so can be difficult. Fortunately, now we have the ability to effectively remove the fat that is stored unnecessarily. Both liposuction and tummy tuck are a fast and effective means of getting Mother Nature up-to-date. By removing unwanted fat, sagging skin and stretch marks, these procedures can help to reveal that lean midsection you’ve always long for.
- Liposuction. Liposuction is a procedure that reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess deposits of fat. Liposuction is not a weight reduction surgery. Liposuction is done to improve and perfect contours. It can be done by itself or combined with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck. There are a variety of liposuction techniques. The most commonly used technique is tumescent liposuction, which uses a solution instilled into the fatty tissue to reduce blood loss and bruising.
- Tummy Tuck. A tummy tuck is a procedure that creates a smooth abdominal contour by removing excess skin and tightening the abdominal muscle wall. This procedure restores the normal position and tone of separated muscles caused by aging, pregnancy, significant weight loss and damage from previous abdominal surgeries. A tummy tuck can also help to minimize the presence of stretch marks with removal of excess skin in the affected areas, ordinarily at the hips and lower abdomen.
If your midsection is causing you grief, it may give you some consolation to know that that sticky fat is there with the best of intentions. However, times have changed, and it’s only fair that you should get the chance to do the same. If you’re ready to make that midsection transformation, contact us today. Dr. Madda is here to answer all your questions and help give you the figure that you deserve.