Beer Belly Fat Liposuction?

Thank you for your question. It is hard to provided with a valid medical opinion without photos.  I would suggest to be treated by board certificated plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.
Kind Regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Beer bellies are generally the result of an excess of fat that surrounds the organs (visceral). Unfortunately, liposuction cannot target this as it can only treat fat that lies just below the skin (subcutaneous) and is "pinchable". Only a healthy diet and exercise regimen can get rid of visceral fat. However, if you have a large stomach that has "pinchable" fat, then a tummy tuck may be better to achieve your desired contour. This will remove excess skin as well. 

Liposuction can only address the subcutaneous fat, or the fat layers immediately below your skin.  Intraabdominal fat, or the fat surrounding the internal organs, can only be decreased with weight loss.  Typically, we refer to "beer bellies" as the round firm intraabdominal fat that some overweight people carry - and that is not treated with liposuction.

 

 

If after consulting with a plastic surgeon it is determined that you have some fat that is amenable to liposuction, then focus on choosing the right surgeon. It is a very confusing situation now with so many competing claims about laser lipo (smart lipo, slim lipo, etc), ultrasound lipo (VASER), water jet lipo, and so forth, that it is a challenge to make a truly informed decision. Just keep in mind that liposuction is surgery and excellent resullts can be achieved with any technology by the right surgeon.

Patients who have a big beer belly usually has both fat under the muscle around the intestines which we can't remove with liposuction and fat between the skin and the muscle which liposuction does great at removing for around $5-6000.  Diet and exercising helps the fat under the muscle. Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

Surgery should not be pursued as a quick fix, and after exhausting diet and exercise options, liposuction is the way to go for problem areas. There are different liposuction modalities: traditional, power-assisted and ultrasound-assisted. There are great results with any modality. The key is to optimize yourself as a patient, and to assure that surgery is performed safely. If estimate of fat removal is greater than 5 liters, hospital management and an overnight stay are strongly recommended.

Patients are recommended to be at their goal weight, but traditional liposuction that removes the fat cells is recommended to achieve the best results.

Thank you for the question.

If the adipose issue you are concerned about is inside the peritoneum ( below the abdominal wall muscles),  then liposuction surgery will not help you.  Liposuction surgery candidates present with diet and exercise resistant adipose issue in the subcutaneous plane ( just below the skin). Good candidates for the procedure will also demonstrate adequate skin elasticity overlying the area to be treated.

I hope this helps.

If you truly have "beer belly" fat then liposuction would not be the treatment of choice. The reason is that the majority of the fat that you are concerned about is situated inside your abdomen around your organs (specifically largely involving a tissue called the omentum) and, therefore,  is not treatable by liposuction. Weight loss by diet, exercise and lifestyle change is the way to appropriately address this.

If your fat is instead just deep to your skin and you don't truly have a "beer belly", then liposuction can be a possible treatment. However, you would be best served by being evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and then explain what your options may be.

There are three places in the abdomen where fat can be stored: (1)Between the skin and above the muscle. (2) In between the muscles layers of the abdominal wall like bacon. (3) Inside the abdominal cavity surrounding the vital organs including the intestines.  The only one of these areas that is treatable with liposuction is the fat that is stored under the skin and above the muscle.  In the true "beer belly", most of the fat is stored either inside the abdomen and some fat is stored inside the abdominal muscles.  These areas of fatty tissue are treated best through diet and exercise.  Another good reason to be aggressive in treating these areas of fat is because these are the types of fat deposits that increase your risk for cardiac disease, high-blood pressure, diabetes, etc.  A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon can help you determine in which layers your fat is being stored and what options are best for you.  Hope this helps.