Best Spot Fat Reduction Procedures

Even when you're diligent about your diet and exercise regimen, there are some areas of the body where the fat just won't budge. Since you can't spot-reduce body fat with exercise alone, you many need the help of a plastic surgeon to get rid of those stubborn inches. There are now several options for spot fat reduction, and all of these are performed on an outpatient basis with minimal downtime.

Set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon in your area to find out if you're a good candidate for a spot fat reduction procedure. Your surgeon can perform a comprehensive consultation and recommend a procedure that can get rid of those extra pockets of body fat for good.

Zeltiq CoolSculpting

Zeltiq is one of the newest spot fat reduction procedures available in the United States. It was approved by the FDA in September 2010 and works by freezing the fat cells until they are broken down. The dead fat cells can then be flushed out of the body through the lymphatic and elimination system. Since this process can take a few weeks, you'll need to be patient with seeing results. Still, many patients have reported up to a 25 percent reduction in body fat in the treated areas. You can undergo a series of treatments spaced four to six weeks apart for even more spot fat reduction.

Zerona

Zerona is another non-invasive fat reduction procedure that has been spotlighted by the media. This procedure uses cold laser technology to break down the fat cells without incisions, surgery or even touching the skin. The lasers are simply placed over the skin and help to release the fat from the cells. Since the cells are not permanently removed or damaged in any way, there is still the chance that fat will return in the treated areas.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy injections have been available in the United States for several years. It's a standardized procedure that involves injecting a mixture of amino acids, enzymes, minerals, plant extracts and vitamins directly into the fatty tissue. The fat cells are broken down and then eliminated through the body's lymphatic and elimination system. This procedure does produce lasting results but there are some risks involved, including allergic reactions, excessive inflammation, and the possibility of permanent swelling and lumps in the treated area.

VASER Liposuction

VASER liposuction, also known as VASER LipoSelection and VaserLipo, received FDA approval for body contouring in 2001 and has since become a popular choice for permanent fat removal by many plastic and cosmetic surgeons. This procedure can remove small pockets of unwanted body fat and bulges around the waist, thighs, hips, buttocks and stomach. If you've been struggling with losing a few stubborn inches from smaller areas of the body, you may be a good candidate for the VASER lipo procedure.