Liposuction is intended to permanently remove fat cells, but which kind? There are two different types of fat in the body: visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. While lipo can definitely help remove stubborn fat deposits, it can’t address both kinds of fat cells.
VISCERAL FAT
Visceral fat is responsible for the majority of weight gain that most people experience. This fatty layer doesn’t lie just below the skin, but instead forms much deeper, wrapping around the internal organs. When doctors talk about health problems with regards to obesity, an excess of visceral fat is the primary concern. Too much visceral fat can lead to increased risks for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Diet and exercise help reduce the amount of visceral fat throughout the body.
SUBCUTANEOUS FAT
Unlike visceral fat, subcutaneous fat lies much closer to the skin’s surface. This is the layer of fat that stubbornly remains behind even after diet and exercise, and is present even in naturally slender people. Subcutaneous fat is the “pinchable” cushion that can be easily measured using a skin caliper (or your fingers). Although subcutaneous fat does contribute to your total body weight, it doesn’t cause the underlying health issues that visceral fat can.
WHERE LIPOSUCTION COMES IN
During liposuction, only the subcutaneous fat can be removed, which is why so many surgeons will caution their patients that lipo is not a weight loss substitute. In fact, lipo really can’t reach down to the visceral fat layers, which can only be eliminated through eating right and staying active. For fine-tuning at the subcutaneous fatty layer, however, lipo is ideal.