How can I self check for visceral fat?

Question

I read in some of the threads that the fat you can pinch is what can be removed during lipo- tummy tuck surgery? Is this the truth or a myth? How do you verify and distinguish the fat during consultations? I want to be able to self check and have a realistic idea of my results.

Robert L. Steely, MD, FACS · Answer

Good morning!The pinch test you describe is a good guide of how much fat is available for removal with an abdominoplasty.  The visceral or deep fat around your organs that is not accessible with cosmetic surgery is not pinchable.What the pinch test does not give you is a good idea of the amount of flatness you can achieve by creating an internal corset.  A rough estimate of both the amount of fat that can be removed and your contour after a corset is to both pinch your fat and suck in your abdomen- it is a very rough approximation but will give you a general idea about what is achievable.Be sure you are seeing a board certified plastic surgeon who has a lot of experience in tummy tuck procedures.I hope this helps

Mark E. Mason, MD · Answer

This is a good visual exercise for patients before surgery so everybody has realistic expectations. A tummy tuck doesn't remove visceral fat, or fat beneath the abdominal wall on organs. Only weight loss and exercise can decrease this kind of fat. However, with liposuction and excess skin removal, along with the tightening of the abdomen wall, we can definitely trim down the fat you can "pinch." I hope this helps. Be sure you use a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Glenn M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

There is truth to the thinking that the fat that you
can pinch is what may be treatable through liposuction and/or a tummy tuck.
This is because the fat you can access directly beneath the skin by pinching it
is the layer of subcutaneous fat that can be targeted by these procedures. It’s
also the type of fat that can tend to be resistant to exercise, which is why
many people rely on liposuction to help eliminate this fat. Visceral fat is the
fat surrounding your organs. If your stomach appears rounded and full, even
when you’re lying down, this may indicate you have a significant amount of
visceral fat, which you can only get rid of through diet and exercise. A
consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help you to get a
realistic expectation of your results.

Peter Fisher, MD (retired) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It is quite easy actually.  While standing with your tummy muscles relaxed try sucking in your tummy as much as possible.  We can flatten you a little more than you can sucking in. Better still, lay flat on your back and sick in your tummy. If it doesn't flatten altogether or partially only then you have a fair amount of visceral fat. It is true that visceral fat cannot be removed. A lot of fat between the skin and muscle can be removed. Peter Fisher M.D

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

It's a good question with a simple answer. The fat you can pinch is in front of the muscle and we can get rid of some, but not all of that. When you lie flat on the floor, if your tummy rises up higher than your ribs, you have too much visceral fat (behind the muscle) to get a good result because we cannot do anything to that fat. If your tummy sinks in below your ribs you are a great candidate for the TT procedure.

How can I self check for visceral fat?

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