I heard the dr. tell his assistant to look at the color of my fat. It was not yellow - more brownish red (mixed with blood of course). Is this normal? He took out 800cc from each side (waist and bra line fat) and it was all pretty much brownish - def not yellow. He told her it was just the color of my insides, but I was curious if someone had a better explanation. I read brown fat is better, but I am 5'8 and 189 38 yr old female and I would doubt my fat is better...lol.
August 13, 2015
Answer: The color of fat People's fat color does vary anywhere from almost white to a yellow/orange color. My personal belief is that fat that is a more pigmented orange color is a result of a healthy diet. I know when chickens consume healthier diets with more greens, their egg yolks become a similar color. Chicken that are fed grain only typically have pale yellow yolks. I have heard of patients who have consumed so much carrot juice that their skin developed a yellow or orange hue. I have been blessed to have performed thousands of liposuction procedures. This is something I've always been curious about and thought would make an interesting research study in the back of my mind. Whenever I have a patient who seems to have very white or very orange colored fat, I always ask them about their diet. Patients with orange colored fat will almost unanimously say they love eating vegetables, including green leafy vegetables. There is a type of fat called brown fat. This is seen in babies and certain animals. The brown fat seen in babies typically disappears as the child grows. Brown fat is a physiologically different fat that can generate heat through metabolism. Regular fat cannot do this. Hibernating animals have higher percentages of brown fat. We don't see brown fat in adults during surgery. My best guess is that you have a diverse and healthy diet. I'm curious if I'm correct. Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 13, 2015
Answer: The color of fat People's fat color does vary anywhere from almost white to a yellow/orange color. My personal belief is that fat that is a more pigmented orange color is a result of a healthy diet. I know when chickens consume healthier diets with more greens, their egg yolks become a similar color. Chicken that are fed grain only typically have pale yellow yolks. I have heard of patients who have consumed so much carrot juice that their skin developed a yellow or orange hue. I have been blessed to have performed thousands of liposuction procedures. This is something I've always been curious about and thought would make an interesting research study in the back of my mind. Whenever I have a patient who seems to have very white or very orange colored fat, I always ask them about their diet. Patients with orange colored fat will almost unanimously say they love eating vegetables, including green leafy vegetables. There is a type of fat called brown fat. This is seen in babies and certain animals. The brown fat seen in babies typically disappears as the child grows. Brown fat is a physiologically different fat that can generate heat through metabolism. Regular fat cannot do this. Hibernating animals have higher percentages of brown fat. We don't see brown fat in adults during surgery. My best guess is that you have a diverse and healthy diet. I'm curious if I'm correct. Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
