When it comes to losing weight, you already know the two best methods: dieting and exercising. Alas, while a healthy lifestyle will give you a more svelte figure, you may not wind up with the results you initially hoped for. Here, Long Island plastic surgeon Dr. David Funt explains the science behind stubborn fat, as well as a good solution for addressing your problem areas.
What Makes Some Fat Stubborn?
Fat cells contain two types of receptors: Alpha-2, which instructs the cell to store fat, and Beta-2, which tells the cell when to release fat into the bloodstream. Some fat cells have more Alpha-2 receptors, while others have more Beta-2 receptors. Those cells with more Beta-2 receptors respond better to diet and exercise since they release stored fat. On the other hand, those with more Alpha-2 receptors are more likely to hold on to fat even amidst diet and exercise. Your pockets of fat that are resistant to a healthy lifestyle probably have a surplus of Alpha-2 receptor-rich fat cells.
Another important thing to understand is that you do not gain fat cells when you consume more calories. Instead, the existing fat cells that you have store more fat. Fat tends to disperse evenly amongst the existing fat cells in your body, but certain areas of your body may host more fat cells than others. For example, women generally have more fat cells in their thighs and hips, which is why stubborn fat tends to cling to these areas.
What You Can Do about Stubborn Fat
Once you have tried diet and exercise for an extended period and found that your results have plateaued, you may be ready to give a cosmetic procedure a try to help finish the job. Traditionally, liposuction has been the go-to treatment for eliminating fat cells. This is a surgery that suctions out surplus fat cells to create sleeker contours.
CoolSculpting is a less invasive alternative that uses extremely cold temperatures to freeze your fat cells in areas with stubborn fat. Whereas other types of cells can withstand the cold, your fat cells are more vulnerable, with about 20% of them not surviving the procedure. In the coming months, your body slowly releases the destroyed fat cells, gradually revealing a trimmer figure. Because you have a fixed amount of fat cells as an adult, these fat cells cannot return.
Learn More about Liposuction and CoolSculpting
If you have pockets of fat that refuse to disappear no matter how hard you try, then you are likely a good candidate for a body contouring procedure. To speak to Dr. Funt about reshaping your problem areas, please request an appointment today.
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Read MoreLiposuction is a common plastic surgery procedure in which unwanted fat is removed from the body. This operation is ideal for individuals who have stubborn fat in certain areas of the body that may not respond quickly to diet or exercise changes. Common areas that are treated include thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and love handles. Men or women can benefit from the procedure.
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