Amy Schumer is a 40-year-old comedian who shared her liposuction story in January on Instagram. In her post, she wrote:

“I feel good. Finally, it’s been a journey. Thanks for helping me get my strength back @seckinmd (endo) @jordanternermd (lipo) never thought I would do anything, but talk to me after your uterus doesn’t contract for 2.5 years and you turn 40,”

If you haven’t heard Amy’s story, she decided to have liposuction on her stomach for fat reduction. She has the procedure following an operation to remove her uterus to treat endometriosis and after the birth of her son via c-section. As many mothers unhappy with their mummy tummy will relate, Amy said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter,

“It’s not about needing to be slamming because I’ve never been famous for being hot, but I’d reached a place where I was tired of looking at myself in the mirror”.

During Monday’s episode of the Making Space with Hoda Kotb podcast, Amy also made a point of saying that she knew not everyone could afford to have plastic surgery. If you are one of the many women out there who have worked hard to achieve weight loss but feel unhappy with excess fat on your stomach or any other area of your body, there are more affordable alternatives.

Liposuction Quick Facts

1. Anaesthesia — Liposuction requires either local or general anaesthetic for larger areas. General anaesthetic can cause an allergic reaction and has a risk of fatality.
2. Surgical Risks — Liposuction is an invasive surgical procedure that carries the usual risks associated with surgery. These include infection, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), which can cause death.
3. Complications — In rare cases, coma can occur following liposuction. Other complications include uneven skin with dips and bumps, scarring and severe disfigurement if an infection causes necrosis (death of skin cells).
4. Side effects — The area will usually be bruised, swollen and tender.
5. Recovery — A compression garment will need to be worn for four to eight weeks. Fatigue is common during the recovery period.
6. Results — When the procedure does not have any complications, the results are very effective with up to 2 litres of fat removal and a significant change in the shape and size of the area treated.

Non-invasive Fat Reduction

Non-invasive fat reduction provides a far more affordable and safer alternative to traditional liposuction. With no need for anaesthetic and without any risks of surgical complications, it can be done in two ways, either with fat freezing or fat melting. Both methods can reduce tummy fat, love handles, inner thighs and bingo wings. However, as with liposuction, non-invasive fat reduction is not a weight loss treatment.

Fat Freezing Quick Facts

1. The process — Fat freezing is called Cryolipolysis and involves using a device that freezes tissue which causes the fatty tissue to break down. The process involves a special clamp that the area being treated is placed into.
2. How it feels — The treatment can feel slightly uncomfortable, although it shouldn’t be painful when performed by an experienced therapist.
3. The number of treatments — Fat freezing can either be performed as a one-off treatment to get rid of small pockets of localised fat or can be repeated after eight weeks for larger areas.
4. The side effects — As with any type of aesthetic treatment, there are some minor side effects, although they are very rare. Skin can be bruised and swollen immediately after the treatment and the area may feel numb. This will normally subside within around two to three weeks. Skin can get frost burnt, although this is extremely unlikely when the treatment is performed correctly.
5. The risks — Fat freezing is an FDA approved treatment with very few risks; the main one would be skin damage due to frost burn.Another unusual risk that affects less than 1% of people is that the fat cells can increase and become firmer in the treated area. This complication is called paradoxical fat hyperplasia (PAH) and affects less than 1% of people. Current research has indicated that you are at a higher risk of developing PAH if you are male and/or of Hispanic descent.
6. The results — The fat cells are naturally expelled in your urine over the next two to eight weeks. On average, you can see a fat reduction of approximately 22% after just one treatment and it is possible to even drop a dress size.

Fat Melting Quick Facts

1. The process — Fat melting is called Cavitation and uses radiofrequency and ultrasound waves to break up fat and tighten skin. The process involves a special clamp that the area being treated is placed into.
2. How it feels — The treatment uses a special device that touches the skin and will normally feel warm with a slight tingling sensation. Cooling plate technology stops the skin from overheating and makes this treatment painless when performed by an experienced therapist.
3. The number of treatments — Fat melting tends to make a pronounced difference after three treatments. For maximum results, a course of eight treatments is recommended.
4. The side effects — As with any type of aesthetic treatment, there are some minor side effects, although they are very rare. Skin can be bruised and swollen immediately after the treatment. This will normally subside within around one to two weeks.
5. The risks — Fat melting is an FDA approved treatment with no known long term associated complications.
6. The results — The fat cells are naturally expelled in your urine over the next two to eight weeks. You should also notice a reduction in cellulite and stretch marks and clinical studies indicate a significant reduction in fat after this treatment.

Fat Melting vs Fat Freezing Non-Invasive Fat Removal

Fat melting and fat freezing are both incredibly effective non-invasive fat reduction treatments. The key difference is that fat melting treatment also helps tighten skin and reduce stretch marks and cellulite. For larger areas such as the upper and lower stomach, fat-melting is also often reported to be a more comfortable treatment.

Fat freezing does offer the advantage of usually producing more significant results after one treatment. This may make it more appealing if you just want a small area treated or just don’t have time for a course of treatments.

Regardless of the treatment you choose, for the least possible side effects, risks and complications, always have non-invasive fat reduction performed at a medically led clinic.

Click HERE to find out more about non-invasive fat reduction at Body Lipo Lincoln, a medically-led aesthetic clinic. Offering a wide range of treatments using the most advanced technology, we are here to support you with your health and well-being.

Any questions? Please call our friendly team of therapists who are always happy to help — 01522 523777.

Image via Unsplash