When it comes to fat loss, people will try just about anything to speed things up. While this is often exploited by questionable businesses selling ‘miracle’ pills and potions that have little to no impact on progress, there are treatments which can accelerate fat loss in a safe, effective manner.
While in the past these medical procedures were invasive and often required substantial recovery time, technology has evolved to provide us with procedures with little to no down time.
Liposuction
One of the best known fat loss surgeries, Liposuction is used to remove pockets of fat from underneath the skin. The process involves a suction tube being placed under the skin to remove the fat from the targeted area, with multiple incisions being required for larger areas.
Following the procedure, the patient will be stitched up and bandaged, and it can take up to two weeks to recover properly. Full results can take several months to be seen, and there may be some bruising and swelling in the area.
It’s a proven and effective procedure, but the cost and the downtime can put a lot of people off.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is one of the modern, non-invasive fat loss methods that’s increasing in popularity. The process involves placing the target area between two paddle-like plates, where the fat cells are cooled until they die.
The body then disposes of these dead cells over the following weeks and months, resulting in a fat loss of around 40% in the treated area. The procedure takes around an hour, and there’s no downtime involved – many people return to work the same day following the treatment.
The upside is obviously the simplicity and speed of the procedure, and the lack of recovery time appeals to many people. The results can take a while to be fully realised, with initial progress seen around a month later and taking up to 4 months to finish.
Liposonix
Liposonix uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to get rid of fat cells in the targeted area, with particular success in the stomach and hips. The process causes an increase in temperature in the treated area, resulting in cell death. The cells are then absorbed and processed by the body, resulting in a loss of fat in the body.
Results are typically seen 2-3 months after the procedure, usually once the cells have been processed by the body and the swelling has subsided. Like CoolSculpting, the procedure is non-invasive and takes around an hour from start to finish.
Recovery time is minimal, with most patients being fine to carry on with their day immediately after their treatment.
Of course, all of these treatments are largely meaningless if you don’t make changes to your diet and exercise regularly. While they are all extremely effective, continuing to overeat will cause the fat to return and your weight to increase, ultimately making the procedures pointless.
Track your calorie intake and your weight regularly, and make adjustments to ensure you maintain your fat loss afterwards. The combination of a good diet, regular exercise and a targeted fat loss procedure can help you achieve the body you’ve always wanted.
