Why Does Fat Accumulate in My Belly and How Can I Get Rid of It?
Nothing is quite as frustrating and discouraging as losing enough weight to reach your goal, only to be left with stubborn areas of fat that cling to your body regardless of your hard work. Many women in Paramus, New Jersey, wonder why they gain so much weight in their belly and whether there’s any way to get rid of the fat once and for all. The answer is yes! I perform many different procedures that permanently eliminate fat no matter where it’s located on your body, so let’s take an inside look at a few treatments and how they work.
Why do I store fat where I do?
You may have heard that your gender, age, and genetics determine where you store fat – and that’s true – but they’re not the only factors. Genes have a strong influence on whether you carry weight in your hips or stomach, although all women tend to store fat in their thighs and buttocks during their reproductive years.
As you get older and levels of estrogen begin to drop, you’re more likely to gain weight, and the extra pounds show up in your abdomen. While estrogen has an impact, it isn’t the only hormone that affects fat storage and metabolism.
Insulin promotes overall fat storage and high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, trigger fat storage in your belly. Cortisol may even cause excess abdominal fat in women who are otherwise slender.
What about those stubborn pockets of unwanted fat?
Many women struggle with stubborn pockets of fat that cling to their bodies, even when they’re at a healthy weight. These classic trouble spots – love handles, inner thighs, upper arms, belly, back, and chin – don’t respond to hours at the gym or a healthy diet.
If you’re ready to deal with your trouble spots, I offer solutions using today’s cutting-edge technology that get rid of the excess fat for good:
Smartlipo Triplex™
The Smartlipo Triplex is an advanced medical device that safely performs laser-assisted lipolysis. This is a minimally invasive procedure performed with a laser fiber contained in a thin tube that I can insert into the targeted pocket of fat through a small incision.
Your fat cells absorb the laser energy which causes them to liquify. I gently remove the destroyed cells with suction, then your body naturally eliminates any remaining bits of waste. Heat from the laser also tightens surrounding tissues, resulting in smoother skin.
The Smartlipo Triplex can be adjusted to three wavelengths, which means I can customize the procedure based on the amount of fat I remove from your body.
Tumescent liposuction
Tumescent liposuction is a way of performing liposuction that’s safer than traditional liposuction because it minimizes blood loss and uses local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia. The tumescent technique has been used for years and is known for its excellent safety record.
Before the liposuction procedure, I inject the targeted area with water that contains a local anesthetic and drugs that constrict blood vessels. In addition to eliminating pain and stopping bleeding, the fluid expands the area and firms fat cells, which makes them easier to remove. The injected fluid also minimizes bruising and swelling after the procedure.
iLipo
If you’re interested in noninvasive body contouring, treatment with the iLipo is an option to consider. The iLipo uses a low-level laser that goes safely through your skin, without causing any damage, and gets absorbed by your fat cells.
I place specially designed pads on your skin, and they emit laser energy into pockets of fat. In a way that’s similar to your body’s natural metabolism, the treatment stimulates the release of stored fat. The existing fat cells shrink back to their normal size, and the fatty acids are metabolized out of your body.
My patients find that iLipo is comfortable and easy to tolerate. One treatment takes about 20 minutes, and during that time, they feel the warmth of the laser. You won’t need to take any downtime; in fact, I recommend getting some post-treatment exercise to help burn off the released fat.
BodyFX™
For some patients, I recommend another noninvasive body contouring procedure called BodyFX. This device uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to eliminate areas of fat and firm your skin. As I hold the BodyFX device against the targeted area of fat, gentle suction pulls up the skin and underlying tissues, then sends RF waves into the area.
Heat from RF energy does two things. It breaks down fat cells, then your body disposes of the waste, so the fat is gone permanently. The heat also stimulates the production of collagen in your skin. New collagen replaces old skin for a smooth and firm appearance.
Are you ready to eliminate resistant fat permanently?
You can get the body shape you always wanted — and that you deserve — with a safe treatment that’s customized to meet your needs. Please don’t hesitate to call Bergen Aesthetics, or book an appointment online for a consultation with Dr. Ohanian.