You’re exercising harder and strictly watching what you eat, but your stomach “pooch” isn’t budging.

Even if you double your efforts, the fat in that area will be challenging to lose. The same goes for fat around the thighs and along the flanks (love handles). That’s why people consider invasive and non-invasive belly fat removal procedures. 

Speaking of fat removal, let’s talk about the most popular cosmetic procedures for getting rid of belly fat. We’ll also discuss how to choose the best option for you based on each procedure’s benefits and risks.

Invasive Fat Removal: Liposuction

Invasive procedures mean surgery is involved, and with fat removal, the most commonly performed are liposuction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Both claim to make tummies appear flatter, tighter, and smaller. There are differences between the two, though, and it’s best to know what to expect from each procedure.

For small fat deposits, liposuction may be ideal. It can help reduce bulges and improve contour by removing fat deposits on the hips, thighs, buttocks, or stomach area. To perform liposuction, a cosmetic surgeon will use an anesthetic or sedate the patient. 

Then, he or she will make small incisions and insert a cannula, a thin tube underneath the skin. The purpose is to make the fat cells easier to suction out with a vacuum. Although the results are immediate, they may not be permanent, as fat deposits could reappear in other areas of the body.

Tummy Tuck 

Those researching how to remove belly fat might find a tummy tuck appealing since it can also remove excess skin. Another advantage is it can make a patient’s abdominal wall more stable. After all, it’s a procedure that sews the muscles in the abdominal wall together. 

However, an abdominoplasty comes with certain complications. These include infections, wounds, and even tissue necrosis (death). Some patients also report numbness in the tummy area, as well as fluid accumulation. 

If you believe that an invasive belly fat removal procedure is your best option, remember that liposuction is a lot less risky than a tummy tuck, considering the risks and the downtime. For best results, be sure to choose a surgeon who has a high success rate performing tummy tucks and liposuction.

Non-Surgical Belly Fat Removal

Also known as body contouring procedures, non-surgical belly fat removal is a good fit for those already at their ideal weight. It’s also suitable for patients with good skin elasticity who want to get rid of trouble spots.

CoolSculpting, BodyTite, SmartLipo, and so on are some of the most popular non-invasive fat removal procedures. Like liposuction or tummy tuck, they have different ways of achieving fat reduction.

For example, CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis. That means it uses cool temperatures to freeze fat cells and then flushes said cells from the body. Other procedures use radiofrequency, triple wavelength laser, and thermal energy to eliminate fat cells.

The Best Fat Removal Procedure in San Diego: UltraShape and UltraShape Power

Compared to surgical procedures, body contouring is a more convenient option, especially for busy people. You don’t need to worry about downtime, as you can immediately resume normal activities after a non-invasive procedure.

Side-effects are also mild. These include redness, swelling, and pain at the treatment site. 

There is one body contouring option, though, that’s a cut above the rest. UltraShape and its latest version, UltraShape Power, can reduce up to 32 percent more fat cells. Instead of using heat or cold, it uses ultrasound to remove fat cells permanently, without discomfort, redness, and other adverse reactions.

How UltraShape Works

To get rid of fat cells, UltraShape delivers controlled pulsed focus ultrasound to the treatment area to destroy fat cells. It’s a selective procedure that doesn’t affect nerves, blood vessels, and other connective tissues. The body naturally clears the destroyed fat cells in about two to four weeks. 

Like other body contouring procedures, UltraShape or UltraShape Power doesn’t require sedation or anesthesia. However, unlike other treatments, the results you can get from UltraShape aren’t temporary. While the remaining fat cells could expand if you don’t watch your diet or get lax with your workouts, the fat cells eliminated by ultrasound will never grow back. 

Maximum results with UltraShape or UltraShape Power are visible in 12 weeks. While some find that to be too long, you should consider the time and effort you’ll invest in losing belly fat with just diet and exercise. 

UltraShape Safety Considerations 

In 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved UltraShape as a non-invasive fat cell destruction procedure. Two years later, it approved the use of UltraShape Power, which uses an upgraded ultrasound transducer. Except for a smaller, faster, and more efficient design, there’s not much difference between the way UltraShape and UltraShape Power works. 

Keep in mind that even if UltraShape has a better success rate than other body contouring procedures, it’s not 100% safe if an approved provider does not perform it. It would be best to choose a surgeon or physician with the proper UltraShape or UltraShape Power training.

Also, when you think about belly fat removal costs, it becomes clear why your choice of surgeon is crucial. If you’re spending anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000 per treatment, you have to be sure your investment is worth it.

Preparing for UltraShape

There’s not much you need to prepare once your surgeon confirms that you’re a suitable candidate for UltraShape or UltraShape Power. 

If you wish to get more out of your treatments, though, incorporating healthy lifestyle choices is a good idea. That means eating right and working out at least 20 to 30 minutes daily. 

Upping your water intake is also recommended, as well as avoiding or even better, quitting smoking before treatment. 

Look Forward To a Better You

Now that you know more about your belly fat removal options in San Diego, which procedure are you considering right now?

If it’s UltraShape or UltraShape Power, we can help. To learn more about our stubborn fat removal services, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can also browse our other posts to know more about the latest beauty tips and trends.