Patients who visit my San Diego cosmetic surgery practice often think that all fat is created equal, and can be equally eliminated through liposuction. In reality, there are two different types of fat, and only one is accessible by lipo.
Visceral Fat
Visceral fat consists of internal fat cells that surround the organs. Far more than just a few extra pounds, visceral fat may impact the normal hormone and chemical production involved with typical body processes. Visceral fat deposits are those that are most likely to lead to a weight problem, and can only be reduced through dietary changes and increased exercise.
Subcutaneous Fat
Subcutaneous fat, on the other hand, lies just below the skin, and is easily accessible for removal through liposuction. La Jolla locals who already enjoy an active lifestyle on our sandy beaches and take advantage of our healthful California cuisine, but who struggle with a few unsightly fat deposits here or there, are most likely seeing the effects of subcutaneous fat.
Examples of typical subcutaneous fat deposit areas include the love handles, abdomen, inner and outer thighs, upper arms, and the male chest. Not surprisingly, these are also the most commonly targeted areas for liposuction treatment as well.
Slimming Down with Lipo
Liposuction is not a weight loss solution. If you’re overweight, the best course of action is to move forward with eating right and exercising, not seeking out a cosmetic procedure like liposuction. For those who are already at their target weight and just have a few problem areas, however, lipo is the ideal treatment for sculpting and shaping your body into a more pleasing aesthetic.
Dr. Alexander received his Medical Degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, one of the country’s first medical schools, and then had five years of intensive general surgery training at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, serving as chief resident in 1993-1994. There he was one of two residents honored “Outstanding Teacher” by the Whitehead Society.
After becoming Board Certified in General Surgery, Dr. Alexander attended the University of California San Francisco, one of the premiere Plastic Surgery programs in the United States. There he completed two additional years of residency training in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Alexander is double board certified in Surgery and Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Alexander specializes in facial rejuvenation, and was the first surgeon in California to perform the QuickLift,™ a revolutionary surgical procedure that takes years off the face with less downtime than traditional facelifts. He is a specialist in chemical peels and laser surgery and was selected to author the chapter “Facial Resurfacing” in Plastic Surgery, the premiere textbook of the specialty. He also specializes in facial cancer reconstruction and endoscopic, minimally-invasive procedures, publishing his own original research about endoscopic plastic surgery. He lectures in medical forums and has presented his results at both national and international surgical meetings.