The surgical techniques to get rid of love handles

Love handles, also known as "muffin tops," are pockets of excess fat that sit on the sides of the waist. Despite regular exercise and a balanced diet, many people find it difficult to lose these stubborn fat deposits. In this article, we will explore various surgical techniques to get rid of love handles and help you achieve a more contoured body shape.

Love handles: what are they?

Love handles are excess fat deposits located around the sides of the waist. They are often visible as bulges over the waistband of clothing. What are love handles exactly? They are areas where fat accumulates due to various factors, including genetics, diet, and lifestyle. What is a love handle? Essentially, it’s an informal term used to describe the fat that can be stubborn to shift, contributing to a less desired silhouette.

Love handles & saddlebags

It is important to distinguish between love handles and saddlebags. Indeed, love handles are located in the upper hips (and can be possibly felt). Saddlebags, on the other hand, can be found in the lower area of the body. The causes for the appearance of love handles and saddlebags are also different; given that the former is generally accentuated with weight gain, while the latter appears due to genetic causes.

What are the causes of love handles?

Love handles can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, poor dietary choices play a significant role as consuming excess calories without adequate exercise can lead to fat accumulation in the abdominal area. Additionally, genetic predisposition can make it harder for some people to shed love handles naturally, as they may have a propensity to store fat in this region. Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during menopause or pregnancy, can also contribute to the storage of fat in the love handle area, further complicating efforts to trim down this troublesome spot.

Are love handles genetic?

Are love handles genetic? The answer is partly yes. Genetics can play a significant role in where our bodies store fat. If your parents or close relatives have love handles, you might be more predisposed to having them too. However, other factors like diet, physical activity, and overall lifestyle also significantly contribute to their development.

What is the best way to get rid of love handles?

To banish love handles and boost your self-confidence, consider these effective strategies. Start by embracing a healthy lifestyle centered on a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins like eggs and poultry. This dietary adjustment can help you reduce calorie intake. Additionally, commit to regular exercise, aiming for at least 150 minutes of activity spread across five 30-minute sessions each week. Physical activity plays a vital role in burning excess fat and enhancing overall well-being. Don't underestimate the importance of getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep per night either, as sleep deprivation can increase stress levels and overeating, potentially contributing to the formation of love handles.

How can I lose love handles quickly?

Understanding the causes of love handles is the first step toward addressing this concern. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise can help in the long run, but for those seeking rapid results, liposuction is a viable option. Remember, a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, is essential for maintaining your results and preventing the recurrence of love handles.

Treatment options

When it comes to how to get rid of love handles, there are several surgical options available. These procedures are designed to target and eliminate love handle fat effectively.

Liposuction

Liposuction love handles is one of the most popular surgical options for targeting and removing fat from specific areas, including the love handles. This procedure involves making small incisions and using a cannula to suction out the fat. Getting rid of love handles with liposuction is effective because it directly removes fat cells from the targeted area.

How to get rid of love handles through liposuction can vary depending on the individual's body and the amount of fat being removed. The recovery time is relatively short, and patients can usually see noticeable results within a few weeks. Liposuction love handles is a preferred choice for those looking for immediate and dramatic improvements.

Can liposuction reduce love handles?

Liposuction is one of the most requested and performed surgical procedures worldwide. The intervention promises very satisfying results thanks to the many body regions it targets. The intervention of liposuction is quite simple; it uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and lasts up to two hours, depending on the treated area. Through a small skin incision, a suction tube is inserted into the fat pockets and swept through the area where fat is to be removed. Since incisions are quite small, scarring will be very discrete and hardly noticeable after the procedure.

Who are good candidates for hip liposuction?

Love handles’ liposuction (or hip liposuction) is an intervention of cosmetic surgery that is both destined to women and men alike; especially those who wish to permanently and efficiently get rid of extra fat deposits in their hip area. Hip liposuction may be also combined with other procedures (like a tummy tuck or liposuction of the abdomen) in order to ensure optimal results and a more defined silhouette. During the preliminary consultation, the surgeon will examine skin quality and elasticity to make sure that the patient is a good candidate for the procedure.

What are the postoperative effects of a liposuction?

Liposuction is not a particularly painful procedure. However, the surgeon will prescribe the appropriate pain medication to alleviate any unexpected pain or discomfort. Taking a few recovery days is necessary after having underwent a liposuction. The patient may resume work and physical activities gradually a few weeks after their intervention.  To maintain permanent and satisfying results, the patient has to follow a diet, exercise regularly and avoid alcohol, snacking, etc.  Thanks to the hip liposuction, the patient may enjoy very satisfying results; by permanently removing fat deposits and achieving a more refined good-looking silhouette.

Tummy tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen while tightening the underlying muscles. This can be an effective way to get rid of love handles, especially for those who have undergone significant weight loss or pregnancy. By tightening the abdominal area, a tummy tuck can help smooth out the appearance of love handles.

Exilis ultra

Exilis Ultra is a non-invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency and ultrasound technology to reduce fat and tighten skin. This treatment is particularly effective for those who want to reduce love handles without undergoing surgery. The procedure works by heating the fat cells, causing them to break down and be naturally eliminated by the body. How to lose love handles with Exilis Ultra involves a series of treatments over a few weeks, and the results can be quite impressive.

Mini abdominoplasty

A mini abdominoplasty, or mini tummy tuck, is less invasive than a full tummy tuck and targets the lower abdomen. This procedure is ideal for those with a smaller amount of excess fat and skin. It can help get rid of love handles by focusing on the lower belly area, providing a more contoured look. Love handles before and after photos of mini abdominoplasty patients often show significant improvement in their waistline and overall body shape.

Treatment options for men and women

Both men and women struggle with love handles, but the treatment approach might vary slightly based on gender. How to get rid of love handles men often involves procedures that address thicker skin and larger fat deposits. Love handles men can be treated effectively with liposuction or non-invasive methods like Exilis Ultra, which cater to the specific needs of male patients. For women, how to get rid of love handles women might include a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments. Women’s love handles are often softer and might respond well to skin-tightening procedures in addition to fat removal techniques.

Maintaining results

After undergoing any of these treatments, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to prevent the return of love handle fat. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive weight gain are key to keeping love handles at bay. Male love handle workouts can include core-strengthening exercises, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and weight training to help maintain a leaner physique. How to lose love handles women can be achieved through a mix of cardiovascular exercises, yoga, and Pilates, which can help tone the waist and abdominal area.