I went to a plastic surgeon and I was told that visceral fat cannot be removed? Is that true?

Question

I have an apple shaped belly and the plastic surgeon told me that I basically have minimal topical fat that could be sucked out and that most of my fat was visceral and the only way to get rid of that is exercise and eating right? The problem is I have more visceral fat then what I call the topical fat. so they could get rid of love handles in a little bit of my belly but the visceral fat is what is causing me the problem. I have a lot of pressure in my upper abdomen and pressure on my back.

Bhupesh Vasisht, MD · Answer

As visceral fat surrounds the internal organs, it cannot be targeted using liposuction or any other cosmetic procedure. In order to eliminate visceral fat, you will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle consisting of a proper diet and regular exercise.If you also have fat beneath the skin that you would like to target using liposuction, then Iwould recommend waiting before moving forward with the procedure. Undergoing a lifestylechange will not only eliminate visceral fat but may also reduce the subdermal fat thatcontributes towards to your aesthetic concerns. If you find that you are unable to targetstubborn pockets of fat using diet and exercise, then I would recommend moving forward withliposuction. To learn more, schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hopethis helps!

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

What your surgeon said is true. Unfortunately, plastic surgery cannot remove fat surrounding the delicate internal organs (visceral fat) because it is too dangerous to do so. The safest and most effective way to reduce visceral fat is through a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Jason E. Leedy, MD · Answer

Visceral fat is the fat that is wrapped around the organs.  It is underneath the muscles, inside the body cavity.  The only way to decrease that fat is weight loss.  There are no plastic surgery procedures that can decrease visceral fat.  The typical patient with visceral fat is the man with the "beer belly".  The belly is round but very firm.  There's little fat that can be pinched on the sides.  Some women have this as well.  PCOS patients can have a similar shape.  Unfortunately there's only weight loss to help decrease the fullness.  Best of luck.

Pedy Ganchi, MD · Answer

Hello,
Visceral or intra abdominal fat is not amenable to treatment with liposuction. This fat is treated solely by weight loss unlike the fat that is above the muscle and can be pinched under the skin.
It's best to make certain there are no other contributing factors to your distention by consulting a gastrointestinal specialist.  
Warm regards,
Dr. Pedy Ganchi                                                                                                         Village Plastic Surgery

Kamran Azad, MD · Answer

The advise you have been given is correct. Liposuction only removes fat directly under the skin and does not remove visceral fat as it is around your internal organs. Your best bet would be diet and exercise, consulting with your pcp  or a weight loss clinic for help. Good luck!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, liposuction will not improve visceral fat. For best results improve subcutaneous fat, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermiRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Robert Heck, MD, FACS · Answer

I know it's frustrating but that's true. Liposuction, cool sculpting and Tummy Tuck all help with the suibcutaneous (or topical as you called it) and not the kind of fat around your organs on the inside. Only weight loss will help with that kind. It might be worth seeking a consultation with a bariatric surgeon or weight loss clinic for assistance with that first. Best of luck to you.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

If you truly do have just visceral fat, fat around your organs, and little or no subcutaneous fat, then your plastic surgeon is doing you a favor and saving you money. This for a fat does not respond to liposuction and the only course is diet and exercise.  However, it is possible to have visceral fat in your abdominal region and subcutaneous fat in other regions like your back or legs. These areas may respond to liposuction. Seek the advice of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Liposuction can only address the fat outside the abdominal wall, the internal, or visceral fat can only be lost by burning more calories than taken in. The most straightforward way is diet and exercise, but weight loss surgery or ingestable balloons like obelon also act this way by minimizing how much you eat. Attempting to liposuction the internal fat would almost certainly result in severe injury to your internal organs and likely death, which is why it is not done. Hope that helps!

Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS · Answer

Hey there,Visceral fat can be reduced by dieting and exercises to burn calories adequately. Liposuction and other non-surgical fat loss methods aim only to remove the fat beneath the skin. You also have to see if the abdominal wall is weak i.e. separated muscles also called divarication which could cause the abdominal contents to push forwards thru the weakened wall thus causing an appearance of excess fat. A clinical examination will help derive a comprehensive treatment plan for your concerns
Hope this helps.