Can liposuction remove visceral fat, deep abdomen fat? (photo)

Question

Although I have subcutaneous belly fat, my belly is visceral, hard, beneath the fascia dangerous fat that I have always had. Like my dad, I have skinny limbs and a belly that looks and feels like a hard small basketball is under the skin. Besides the subq fat that sags near my belt line, my belly is hard and disproportionate to my body as a whole. I’m 38 and have been like this since puberty and actually underweight! In the photo, I am not sucking in nor pushing out. Thanks.

Ellen A. Mahony, MD · Answer

The simple answer is "no."  The visceral fat is within the abdominal cavity, below the muscles and not accessible to liposuction.  Liposuction treated the subcutaneous fat below the skin but above the muscle.  The only way to reduce the internal fat is with a disciplined diet and exercise.As you noted, the internal fat represents a higher risk of heart disease and it's in your best interest to work with a nutritionist and trainer on a program that will ensure your success in addressing the problem.  Good luck!In good health,Ellen Mahony, MD

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Unfortunately liposuction will not get rid of your fat, I would recommend you lose the weight by dieting before considering surgery.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi. Visceral fat or intra-abdominal fatty tissue cannot be removed by liposuction.  Genetics plays a role in where your body stores this extra fatty tissue, and you specifically store a lot of extra fatty tissue inside the abdomen below the abdominal musculature.  Healthy dieting and exercise will help reduce that fatty tissue as you lose overall body weight, and abdominal tightening exercises can help strengthen the abdominal muscles to help hold back the fatty tissue.  But the fatty tissue itself must be reduced for that to be effective.  A dietitian and a personal trainer may be helpful in that process.  Good luck can take care,Dr. Howell

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Visceral fat can only be addressed via traditional diet and exercise. Liposuction is only employed to reduce subcutaneous fat stores.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

only diet and exercise can remove visceral fat, but the combination of obalon with liposuction has shown amazing results in our practice.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Kamran Azad, MD · Answer

Unfortunately visceral fat cannot be removed with liposuction as it only removes the fat underneath the skin and does not go below the muscular wall. The only way to address visceral fat is through diet and exercise. I would recommend meeting with a nutritionist and a personal trainer on how to lose weight in these desired areas. Good luck!

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Liposuction will only remove fat below the skin, subcutaneous fat, and cannot remove fat around the internal organs, visceral fat.

Darren Smith, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, thanks for your question. Unfortunately, liposuction can only treat subcutaneous (superficial) fat. The only safe way to treat visceral (deep) fat is with diet and exercise.

Fara Movagharnia, DO, FACOS · Answer

Thank you for the photo.  Unfortunately liposuction only removes the fat from under the skin and never from under the muscle.  Diet and exercise is really the only way to remove visceral fat.  Perhaps you would benefit from consulting with a nutritionist who could help you with this.  Best of luck!

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Liposuction will not remove visceral fat. Lipo removes fat between the skin and muscle.

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Can liposuction remove visceral fat, deep abdomen fat? (photo)

Answers (14)

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