For many men, regular exercise and healthy eating are the pathways to achieving the physique they desire. However, after all that hard work, some men find that they still have pockets of stubborn fat that even healthy lifestyle choices can’t get rid of. When weight loss and toning don’t achieve the desired results, men have begun to turn to liposuction surgery and laser treatments to remove stubborn excess fat.
These fat removal procedures are designed to help remove fat pockets and reshape specific areas of the body and are not quick weight loss tools.
Does Fat Removal Work for Men?
Many men are looking into ways to reduce specific areas and wondering whether fat removal for men works. In addition to plastic surgery procedures, there have been many technological advances in nonsurgical treatment for fat removal that works for men.
Fat removal for men works in much the same way as it does for women. Whether it be a surgical procedure performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon or laser-assisted liposuction, fat removal basics are the same.
Surgical Liposuction
A surgical liposuction procedure is generally an out-patient procedure performed under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on the targeted area. It involves a suction technique that removes fat from the targeted areas, such as the stomach, hips, and thighs for women and the chest and stomach for men.
Laser Liposuction Treatments
Laser liposuction, or laser lipo, refers to the many nonsurgical laser fat reduction treatments available. Some laser lipo treatments use laser energy to heat and destroy the structure of fat cells. Others use low-level or cold lasers and are generally painless. They release the liquid from inside fat cells into the bloodstream, where it is removed from the body.
Fat-Freezing Treatment (Cryolipolysis)
Fat freezing uses cold enough temperatures to kill fat cells but not cold enough to damage the skin.
Ultrasound Energy
This type of fat removal breaks down fat with ultrasound energy. Of all the nonsurgical fat removal treatments, it is the most time-consuming. It is also used solely on the abdomen and isn’t meant for use in other areas.
Radio Frequency (RF) Energy
These devices use RF energy to create heat and kill fat cells. The treatment has no downtime.
What is Body Countouring for Men?
It’s no secret to any aging male that skin tends to become less elastic and shows more signs of stretching as you get older. On top of this, any excess fat that you may have accumulated in unwanted areas tends to show itself as your metabolism slows over time. That’s why body contouring for men has become a popular approach to tackle problem areas where the skin is likely to grow in excess, whether it’s in the abdomen, arms, thighs, or even smaller sections like the ankles or neck.
Body contouring consists of a set of tailored procedures that are specific to the individual’s body type and goals for fat reduction and often require a consultation and evaluation by your physician before determining which procedure will work best for you. Because men distribute fat and muscle mass differently than women and sometimes even each other, there may be different techniques that are more suitable than others, depending on the individual.
Some of the most commonly targeted areas of the body are as follows:
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Arms
- Back
- Chin/jawline
- Neck
- Knees
- Ankles
Popular Procedures for Male Body Contouring
When exploring the various body contouring options available for men, you’ll find there are some stark differences in the timeline and effectiveness of each procedure.
Liposuction
Liposuction is arguably the most well-known body contouring method for men, and that’s because this surgical process has become largely popular in recent years thanks to both accessibility and technology.
However, though the suction technique is applicable for many, it also requires an invasive procedure and sometimes an uncomfortable recovery process, often setting patients back from their daily routine for a significant period of time. Liposuction can also be on the more expensive side due to its clinical nature, which requires more medical equipment and professionals.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
More commonly referred to as the “Tummy Tuck,” an abdominoplasty is a memorable term for another surgical procedure that focuses on fat and skin removal, specifically in the abdominal area. This cosmetic alteration is then followed by contouring the remaining connective tissue (fascia), helping define your abdomen as more toned.
Tummy Tucks are often used along with other contouring methods, such as liposuction, and are usually helpful for people who’ve had recent surgery, significant weight changes, or are just dealing with issues in their current age or body type. It also requires outpatient services, anesthesia, and a lengthy recovery process of no less than six weeks.
Gynecomastia Surgery
A popular body contouring process that specifically targets the breast area of men is called gynecomastia surgery, which is often suggested for those who have had theirs overdevelop or enlarge due to factors such as hormonal changes, heredity, or obesity.
If there’s extra fat, skin, or tissue in the area, this surgical breast reduction can help prevent sagging and even help realign the positioning if they’ve become uneven due to your condition. While this is a case where you’ll need to find a specialized doctor who will remove the excess weight, you’ll also need to be healthy and prepared both before the surgery and for the rehabilitation period.
Body Lift
Body lifts are a broader form of body contouring for men, and that’s because they can be applied to many areas across the body, often when a subject has lost weight and is carrying around excess skin tissue. The abdomen, waist, and thighs are often targeted, in addition to the groin and buttocks, in order to form a curved pattern in which the surgeon will tighten your midsection.
Because body lifts also require anesthesia and incisions, you can expect discomfort but not the same levels of incapacitation as some of the other forms of surgical methods. While results will be obvious relatively quickly, some scare may remain.
Laser Lipolysis
Not only is Emerald Laser a non-invasive, FDA-approved cool laser technology that requires no downtime or recovery process, but the laser lipolysis treatment only takes about 30 minutes per session and is relatively painless immediately afterward. It’s also a viable method for those who have a BMI of up to 40, which can be excluded in many of the previous surgeries listed.
The major difference that laser lipolysis from Erchonia presents is that when the ten 532-nanometer lasers bore tiny holes in the adipocytes (fat cells), the energy emulsifies the tissue inside, allowing it to seep back into the body’s lymphatic system naturally. This avoids destroying the fat cells completely, which can cause unwanted build-up elsewhere or complications around the organs. Other body contouring methods for men generally do not spare these lipocytes.
Reasons Why Men Are Turning to Laser Fat Removal
Men choose laser fat removal for various reasons and to reduce a diverse range of body areas. Men, like women, want to look as young and energetic as they feel inside. These advanced technologies make fat removal simpler with faster recovery times and minimal downtime.
This makes it easier for men to fit fat removal procedures into their busy schedules so that they can return to work almost immediately. And low-level lasers such as the Emerald Laser can treat a wider variety of areas than other laser technologies. It is the only laser FDA-cleared to treat anyone with a BMI over 30.
Common Areas for Male Fat Removal
While there is some overlap in treatment areas for men and women, such as the stomach and love handles, many men also choose to have fat removal on the chest and get a more masculine and crisp jawline.
Male Stomach Fat Removal
The abdomen, or stomach, is one of the most commonly treated areas for men. Lasers such as the Emerald Laser can be used to treat stubborn fat deposits outside the abdominal wall and give men tauter, flatter abdomens. Nonsurgical treatment generally works by targeting and shrinking fat cells either through with cold lasers.
Traditional liposuction and flank countering is also used as opposed to laser stomach fat removal for men. And, in some cases, a tummy tuck may be used after extreme weight loss.
Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction is used to treat gynecomastia or enlarged male breasts. This may be a genetic condition but can also be caused by certain medications or a hormone imbalance. Men’s chest fat removal can be done with liposuction under local anesthesia and, in some cases, by laser fat removal technologies.
Pubic Lift
Also known as male pubic fat pad removal, this procedure reduces the suprapubic fat pad’s size directly above the penis. Aging, weight gain, and genetic patterns of fat deposits can cause this area to become enlarged. This area is generally resistant to weight loss. Fat removal can be achieved through traditional liposuction or laser lipo.
Buccal Fat Removal for Men
Buccal fat removal involves removing fat located in a specific cheek area. It results in a sculpted look that highlights the cheekbones and creates a more defined facial appearance. It is a 30-minute surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia and little downtime. After this surgery, there is usually some bruising.
Double Chin Removal
A double chin and neck laxity makes some men feel that they look fat and/or old. Others want to improve the look of their jawline. These are just a few reasons that double chin removal is growing in popularity among men of all ages. Since the chin and neck are delicate areas, men’s double chin removal is generally achieved with new laser liposuction techniques.
Double chin removal recovery may take anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks for the bruising to subside, and men must wear a compression garment for the chin to help tighten the chin and keep fluid from accumulating under the neck skin.
Arm Lift
Many men find that they have stubborn fat deposits on their upper arms due to weight loss, aging, and other factors. Arm lift surgery or laser liposuction can remove fat from this area.
Results to Expect from Male Body Contouring
Men usually turn to body contouring strategies in order to address unwanted fat, deal with excess skin and tissue, and sometimes just create a positive body image for themselves. By choosing one of the many procedures listed above, you can experience a more sculpted and toned figure — you’ll just have to determine which approach is right for your individual circumstance.
Each technique comes with its own elapsed time of expected results, recovery process, cost, and effectiveness, meaning that not every service will be an option for interested customers. It’s important to maintain realistic expectations while also basking in the increased confidence that will come with a more contoured appearance.
Is Body Contouring for Men Right for You?
No two individuals or bodies are ever the same, so visiting your physician and determining how likely body contouring procedures will work for your particular needs is a must before becoming fixed on a reduction plan.
Healthy men with stubborn fat or dealing with excess skin due to progressive weight loss are ideal candidates, but becoming educated on your own anatomy beforehand will help you make the best decision based on your medical history. While these contouring options can help fat and skin reduction currently, all of them still require a commitment to a healthy lifestyle in order to keep unwanted fat away once and for all.
Get a Consultation
If you want to learn more about laser fat removal for men, contact us to set up a consultation where you can ask all your questions.
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