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Breast implant revision cosmetic surgery, also known as breast augmentation revision, is designed to remove or replace breast implants to address any complications or accommodate the patient’s changed aesthetic preferences.

plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

Anesthesia

In a majority of cases, the surgeon performs the breast augmentation revision surgery with the patient under general anesthesia.

The anesthesiologist will administer either IV (intravenous) or inhaled sedatives to make the patient sleep and keep them unconscious until the revision procedure is complete. The patient will be made conscious after the breast augmentation revision procedure is over.  

Implant Replacement

The procedure to replace breast implants is not dissimilar to the original breast augmentation plastic surgery. The options for implant replacement will be established depending on the type of complications the patient has with the primary implants.

The choice between saline and silicone implants for replacement should be undertaken by the women carefully after understanding the advantages and limitations of each implant type. When replacing the breast implants, the breast surgeon will try to make use of previously made incision lines to remove the old implants as well as place the new ones.

This prevents the development of new scars in the breast area. However, if the patient requires different sized or type of implants during the replacement, the surgeon may have to form implant pockets to place the new implants. This will require the placement of new incisions.

Saline Implant Removal

A woman can typically choose to replace breast implants with new ones or remove the implants altogether and undergo a breast lift surgery to restore the natural appearance of the breasts.

In the process of removing saline implants, the breast surgeon may deflate the implant prior to removal. This will lead to the placement of smaller incisions and more convenient implant removal.

In addition to implant removal, the surgeon will also eliminate scar tissue. New implant placement or breast lift surgery will be carried out at the same time after the removal of the primary implants. The procedure will take under one hour, and the patient will be under general anesthesia or IV sedation.

Silicone Implant Removal

The plastic surgeon will check the implant manually for any signs of damage before removing it which will reduce the risk associated with the process. The removal of implants is more complex than the original breast implant surgery, especially with textured implants. The plastic surgeon may also have to eliminate the surrounding muscle and tissue in addition to the implant in some cases.

The surgeon can perform implant replacement, scar revision or breast lift right after removing the old implants. The time taken for the surgery depends on the type of procedure undertaken.

Sealing the Incisions

The surgeon will carefully suture the incisions after placing the implants. While some surgeons use traditional sutures, others use dissolvable ones.

Temporary drain tubes may be placed in the incision sites to collect excess fluid. Judicious cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other neighborhoods and towns in The Golden State for breast revision surgery.

Whether through surgical intervention, strict diet, and exercise, or a combination, losing 100 or more pounds is life-changing. Beyond simply losing the weight, many patients often adopt healthier diets and more active lifestyles.

While losing a significant amount of weight certainly promotes patient health, the loss of excess adipose tissue can leave behind loose and heavy skin. Beyond making it difficult for patients to fit clothes properly, it can be an unpleasant reminder of a former lifestyle. Many individuals who’ve lost upwards of 100 pounds turn to plastic surgery as a way of complementing their new, healthier lifestyle.

Post-Surgery Plastic Surgery’s Role in Weight Loss

For weight loss patients, plastic surgery isn’t simply about the cosmetic appeal. For many, the journey to a healthy weight is a long one that will continue even after their bodies are transformed, and the development of excess skin keeps these individuals from truly feeling their best. Furthermore, drooping tissue in the wrong places can interfere with a person’s ability to stay active and maintain their weight. For these individuals, removing loose tissue is another step to achieving their best selves.

What are My Options?

As with any other surgery, removing excess skin post-weight loss requires a tailored approach. Patients don’t always have the same degree of skin laxity in the same places, and each has their own aesthetic goals. Post-weight loss plastic surgery also requires that patients maintain their healthy body weight for a specific time before considering skin removal procedures.

Techniques developed over recent decades have allowed experienced plastic surgeons to address loose skin across the entire body and create natural-looking contours. Multi-procedure treatment plans for body contouring make it possible to remove excess skin from the body rather than just one area. During the consultation, patients identify which combinations of procedures would best help them achieve their goals. Some of the most popular options included within a body contouring treatment plan include:

Tummy Tuck

While most patients associate tummy tucks with post-partum recovery, abdominoplasties are an important step in helping weight-loss patients achieve ideal contour of the midsection. Often combined with a panniculectomy, or the removal of skin that hangs over the waistline, this body contouring procedure helps tighten the abdominal muscles, remove loose skin, and even minimize localized fat deposits.

Arm Lift

Sagging upper arms are another common side effect of significant weight loss. To create lean and smooth arms, the plastic surgeons at BHPS offer brachioplasty. This popular plastic surgery treatment removes extra skin while tightening the muscle tissue below, adding definition to the upper arm that would be difficult to achieve without surgical intervention.

Buttock Augmentation

Even if your new lifestyle includes many squat days at the gym, significant weight-loss can cause the glutes to flatten or appear deflated. Buttock augmentation, either on its own or as part of a lower body lift or fully body contouring plan, removes tissue that has lost its elasticity while adding shape and tone to the buttocks.

Breast Augmentation and Reduction

Weight gain and subsequent weight loss often have a lasting impact on the appearance of the breasts for both men and women. For men, excess tissue can create the appearance of breasts even after weight loss, while women may find their breasts are disproportionate to their new body size. Breast reduction for men and lifts or augmentation for women are common solutions that help every individual improve their figure and self-confidence.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Losing a significant amount of weight provides patients with a new lease on life – why not look as good as you feel? Contact the plastics surgeons at BHPS today and schedule your consultation to learn about available body contouring opportunities.

 

Often, women seeking breast surgery such as an augmentation or reduction ask us about the best age for these potentially life-changing procedures. However, the answer is different for every patient and depends on several factors.

Why Do Women Get Breast Surgery?

There are many reasons a woman might desire to undergo breast surgery. For example, a younger woman who feels self-conscious about the size, shape, or symmetry of her breasts may opt for the procedure.

Breast surgery can help adult women of almost any age feel sexier and more confident about the look of their breasts. In fact, younger women who opt to get breast surgery may experience an easier recovery process, since their skin is more elastic and tends to bounce back more quickly.

Is There a Minimum Age for Breast Surgery?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend breast surgery for women under the age of 18. That’s because, for best results, a woman’s breasts should be fully developed before undergoing a surgical procedure.

Because no two bodies are completely alike, two women of the same age may reach physical maturity at different rates. Even after going through puberty, many women find that their breasts continue to grow and change up through their early 20s, while other women’s breasts are fully developed in their teens.

Deciding on an ideal shape and size is more challenging if the breasts are not fully finished developing. If you are a younger woman thinking about getting a breast augmentation, keep in mind that waiting for the breasts to settle into their fully developed size and shape will help you and your cosmetic surgeon decide what type of breast implant is right for you, as well as where to place it.

The FDA has approved silicone gel-filled breast implants for breast augmentation in women age 22 or older, and for breast reconstruction after surgery or injury in women of any age.

Breast Augmentation for Women in Their 20s

Women who decide to have breast augmentation surgery in their 20s must take several factors into account before undergoing breast surgery. These concerns are:

Although breast implants will not negatively impact your ability to get pregnant or breastfeed, the effects of pregnancy, such as weight gain and stretched skin, can cause sagging and stretch marks, which may negate the results of a breast augmentation. As a result, some women who had breast implants before one or more pregnancies may find they need to undergo an additional augmentation to restore the size and shape of their breasts.

To avoid future surgeries, breast surgeons advise women to wait until after they are done having children before they undergo a breast augmentation – especially if they are planning to breastfeed. Though there is minimal risk that the implants will hinder women’s ability to breastfeed, they may cause the breasts to sag even further. However, if you do not plan to have children, or if you understand and accept that you might want to get another breast surgery, there is no medical reason you can’t have a breast augmentation in your 20s.

Breast Reduction for Women in Their 20s

Most women who opt for breast reduction surgery are seeking physical benefits more than cosmetic ones. Large, heavy breasts can cause neck and back pain, and in some cases, may even limit the activities a woman can participate in.

Again, in most cases, it is better to wait until a woman’s breasts have fully developed before getting a reduction surgery. However, for women whose large or sagging breasts are putting them in significant discomfort, we can perform the surgery earlier, provided the patient is mature enough to fully understand the procedure. As with breast augmentation, we do not recommend breast reduction for women who plan to breastfeed.

Contact Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery With All Your Breast Procedure Questions

If you’re a younger woman who is weighing the options of breast surgery, fill out our convenient online contact form or call our Beverly Hills office at 310-746-5439 to speak to our friendly staff. We would be happy to schedule a private consultation with our qualified cosmetic surgeons.

 

 

 

Breast Implant Revision 

Breast revision cosmetic surgery to replace breast implants is quite similar to the primary breast augmentation procedure, and involves a similar recovery process.

But if the implants are removed without replacement, the recovery period may vary depending on whether the procedure was combined with a breast lift.

A majority of patients can comfortably resume their normal routine in 10 to 14 days. However, the duration of the breast revision implant recovery can vary between patients depending on several factors.

plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast implant surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations across the horizon.

Recovery after Breast Implant Removal

If the patient chooses to undergo only implant removal, they will usually experience only mild discomfort after the procedure. This can be managed with over the counter medications. The temporary side effects of such a procedure may include:

The recovery period will be more substantial if the implant removal is done in combination with a breast lift procedure. The patient may experience altered sensation around the incision sites such as tingling or numbness. However, this should subside over the next few weeks or months.

If the patient chooses to have larger sized implants, the skin in the breast area may feel stretched as the body gradually adjusts to the bigger size.

It may be many weeks before the new implants are adequately adapted to their final position. The patient may experience altered sensation such as tingling or numbness in the incision areas. However, this will reduce progressively over time.

Suggestions for a Healthy Recovery

The most effective way to ensure a successful recovery from the breast implant revision or replacement plastic surgery is to follow the surgeon’s post-op instructions. The surgeon will likely recommend the patient to wear a compression bra to enable a comfortable recovery if they have undergone breast implant replacement surgery.

The patient usually wears a compression bra for two or more weeks following the surgery to:

Patients may want to undertake further steps to manage the inflammation and bruising such as applying a cold compress and sleeping in a slightly elevated position. To reduce any post-op discomfort, the surgeon may prescribe pain meds.

Patients can return to their daily activities after a few days following the surgery. However, she should avoid physical strain in the initial recovery stage as it can lead to inflammation in the breasts. Notably, the patient should not undertake moderate to vigorous exercise and heavy lifting for a minimum of six weeks during the recovery period after this revision procedure.

Create a Recovery Station in the Bedroom

Creating a bedside recovery station comprising daily essentials such as mobile phone, remotes, tissues, water bottles, petroleum jelly and pain medications can make the recovery period much more comfortable. The patient should take sufficient rest in the week following the breast revision surgery.

Committed cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and cities in this region of the state for breast revision.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim.  Click here to contact us today.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.

Breast Implant Revision

Breast implant revision, also known as breast augmentation revision, is a major cosmetic surgery procedure performed in certain situations.

The procedure involves the replacement or removal of existing breast implants to address the complications that may have arisen following the primary breast augmentation or implant-based breast reconstruction surgical procedure.

This procedure can also help address an undesirable aesthetic outcome from the primary surgery. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

Ideal Candidates

Patients who are unhappy with the outcomes of their primary breast implant surgery may be suitable candidates for a revision procedure.

Sometimes women face undesirable complications following breast augmentation such as breast pain, implant deflation, asymmetry, and other unwanted outcomes. However, there are fortunately ways to address most cosmetic and medical complications.

Breast Implant Removal Surgery

There are various reasons for which women decide to enhance their breasts. Similarly, some women may decide to have these implants removed for a variety of medical or health-related concerns.

If a woman chooses to have the implant taken out instead of undergoing breast implant replacement, she may sometimes have to combine it with breast lift plastic surgery to restore a firmer shape of the breasts after implant removal.

Breast Implant Replacement Surgery

Whether breast implants are saline or silicone, they will need replacement at some point in time as they are not meant to last a lifetime. At times, women who have had implants placed may years earlier want some modifications made. This replacement procedure enables surgeons to make sure that the breasts are accurately contoured and healthy.

While performing a breast implant replacement surgery, the surgeon will try to utilize the previously placed incision lines to take out the old implants replacing them with new ones. This avoids the occurrence of new scars in the breast region.

But if the patient wants different size or type of implants as a replacement, the surgeon will have to create implant pockets to hold the new implants by placing new incisions.

Breast Revision in Combination with Breast Lift

Many times breast implant replacement surgery is done in combination with a breast lift. A majority of women will need to have the primary implants replaced after many years of use as with the lapse of time, the skin elasticity is reduced which causes the breasts to sag. These types of patients can benefit from a combination of breast lift and implant replacement.

Implant Removal vs. Replacement

Breast implant replacement is believed to be the better approach to breast revision surgery in comparison to implant removal.

Replacement surgery is usually more straightforward with a lesser risk of bleeding and infection. However, in cases where the patient has arthritis, pain or another autoimmune disease, the surgeon may advise them to undergo implant removal rather than a replacement.

Recovery after Breast Augmentation Revision

The breast tissue and skin are used to the implants placed during the primary implant surgery. However, breast augmentation revision recovery is similar to the recovery during the initial implant procedure. Successful cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and cities in this area of the southwest for breast implant revision.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim.  Click here to contact us today.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.

When it comes to removing undesirable fat deposits and reshaping your figure, you’ve undoubtedly heard of liposuction and its less invasive counterpart, CoolSculpting, as two of the most effective methods currently available.

Both liposuction and CoolSculpting share the same goal – to re-contour targeted areas of your body – but there are several key differences in the two approaches. So how do you decide which is right for you?

While CoolSculpting illustrates the growing popularity of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, liposuction offers a surgical approach to eliminating fatty tissue. This guide presents the “skinny” on both techniques to help you choose between them.

What Is Liposuction?

Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, many people find themselves struggling with fat accumulating on specific areas of their body. These circumstances are often due to hereditary or hormonal factors that are outside their control. That’s why liposuction remains one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the world.

Liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas of the body – including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks, and neck – by vacuuming out fat cells through a small tube called a cannula. Provided you remain within your target body weight, the fat cells removed via liposuction are unlikely to return.

While liposuction can deliver somewhat more dramatic results than CoolSculpting, neither approach is a substitute for natural weight loss, or as a treatment for obesity. You should only undergo liposuction if your goal is to contour problem areas where you have been unsuccessful at losing the fat through diet and exercise.

How Liposuction Works

Since liposuction first became available in the 1980s, there have been many refinements and advancements to the techniques doctors use to perform the surgery, which have provided patients with better results and shorter recovery times.

As with any surgical procedure, there are some potential complications associated with liposuction, which include bruising, swelling, numbness, infections, blood clots and irregular skin contouring. However, choosing to undergo liposuction under the care of an experienced, cosmetic surgeon will significantly minimize these risks.

Who Is A Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Ideal candidates for liposuction share these qualities:

What Is CoolSculpting?

Though freezing off fat may sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, that’s precisely how CoolSculpting, also known as cryolipolysis, works. This FDA-approved procedure is based on a scientific principle that frozen fat cells get flushed out of your body through natural processes – without harming the skin or surrounding tissue.

CoolSculpting is best for people who are within their target body weight, but who want to remove stubborn pockets of body fat that resist diet and exercise. Most CoolSculpting patients choose to treat their abdomen, “love handles,” back, upper arms, or thighs.

How CoolSculpting Works

For many people, the best part of CoolSculpting is that the entire process is non-surgical and requires no restrictions on activity or diet. The treatment uses a controlled device to draw fatty tissue into an applicator cup between a pair of panels, which freeze fat cells until they crystallize.

Though you may feel a pulling, pinching, or tingling sensation as the applicator first goes to work, these feelings lessen within about 10 minutes as the treated area goes numb. Many people choose to read or even take a nap while undergoing a CoolSculpting session. Since there is no need for downtime after the procedure, you can return to work immediately, with none of your co-workers knowing how you spent your lunch break.

Compared with surgical procedures, which leave patients with stitches, bruising, and scars, CoolSculpting’s side effects are relatively minimal and include numbness, tenderness, redness, and swelling of the targeted area. You can manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain medicine.

The results of CoolSculpting are not immediate but reveal themselves gradually over the course of several months. That’s why the procedure also appeals to people who prefer to keep their treatments private. We recommend two to three treatments, spaced four weeks apart.

Who Is A Good Candidate for CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is an excellent option for patients who:

Book Your Confidential Consultation Today

If you are interested in getting liposuction or CoolSculpting in the Beverly Hills area, schedule a consultation with us to discuss your goals and expectations. Though both procedures have a long track record of being safe and effective, you are nonetheless choosing to make changes to your body that require you to weigh all the pros and cons. Our qualified, cosmetic surgeons can help you decide which option is best for you.

 

Breast Reduction Plastic Surgery 

Breast reduction is a safe and effective cosmetic surgery procedure to reduce the size of excessively large breasts.

At the time of pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will determine the patient’s candidacy and explain to her the steps involved in the procedure. Some surgeons may also present breast reduction before and after photographs at this appointment.

A dedicated surgeon will like to ensure that the patient has a clear understand of breast reduction surgery, its potential benefits as well as its risks and limitations before she makes a final decision. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast reduction to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities and towns in this region of the state.

What are Breast Reduction Before and After Pictures?

Before and after pictures in case of breast reduction plastic surgery refer to a set of photos related to an earlier patient who has received the same surgery with satisfactory results. The set includes photos taken before the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when full effects of breast reduction have been established.

The surgeon will take care to obtain the photographs with the patient’s full consent and present them before new patients in a discreet manner. The patient’s identity may be kept confidential as per the protocol. The only purpose of the surgeon here is to let new patients understand what a breast reduction surgery can or cannot do for them.

Something that should be mentioned in this piece is digital technology. It was not that long ago that amazing pictures just could not be seen unless an appointment was made and someone had to set time out of their schedule to go meet with the surgeon. Now with the amazing technology of the Internet a potential patient can see these pictures anywhere at any time.

Benefits

When a patient decides to have a breast reduction surgery consultation, she may be uncertain or unclear about how far the procedure can improve her body proportion and enhance her figure. The patient would like to ensure that the procedure will meet her personal aesthetic needs, and produce natural looking results.

Some patients may require limited tissue removal, while some others may need significant tissue reduction along with liposuction fat removal.

In some cases, the surgeon may recommend breast reduction in combination with a breast lift. In each case, the patient can make better choices when she has access to breast reduction before and after photos.

Being Realistic

Best outcomes in any cosmetic surgery procedure can be obtained when the patient has clear aesthetic priorities, positive mindset, and realistic expectations. Therefore, an experienced treatment provider may show breast reduction surgery before and after photos at the very outset so that the patient knows clearly what to expect and what not to expect from it.

This will mitigate the risk of any misunderstanding or disappointment occurring at a later stage for the patient. Such patients will usually achieve higher satisfaction levels in the end.

Images on the Web

The surgeon has the option to present breast reduction surgery before and after photos on their practice website which is the case here. Dr. Kim has no qualms about showing the world his capabilities. These poignant pictures are available for anyone to see. The photos can be viewed online by the new patients in an exclusive Photo Gallery section on the site.

After reviewing the photos online, a patient will be able to choose whether to explore the procedure further by way of a personal breast reduction consultation with the surgeon.

Focused cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast reduction.

Transparency is the key here. Not only this, utilizing technology is vital as well. Now someone can see these stellar pictures without notifying anyone. As somewhat touched upon, a patient can see these pictures from a table in a coffee shop or their desk at their own home. It is a brave new world and the world is much flatter because of the Internet and the information that is available.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim.  Click here to contact us today.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.

Breast Reduction Surgery

When a woman is considering a major cosmetic surgery procedure such as breast reduction, she should first try to acquire basic information about the procedure and choose a suitable breast surgeon for her needs.

During the initial consultation, she will have the opportunity to ask questions and clarify any doubts or concerns about the procedure and the surgeon’s practice.

When a candidate is fully informed about the procedure, she can make better decisions and choose the breast reduction surgery with more confidently.

A committed surgeon will answer the patient’s questions accurately and in proper detail to satisfy her concerns. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast reduction to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Questions related to the Surgeon

Questions related to the Procedure

Questions related to Recovery

Questions related to the Financials

The patient may also request the surgeon for a brief office tour and interaction with the staff so that she may familiarize herself with the practice in a better way. Judicious cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and nearby areas in this region of the southwest for breast reduction.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim.  Click here to contact us today.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.

You exercise regularly and count your caloric intake, but you still can’t seem to banish your bulging belly. You’re not alone. Tummy fat, especially the type called visceral fat, becomes increasingly troublesome as we age.

Visceral fat is a type of fat found deep within your abdominal cavity, surrounding internal organs such as your intestines. Doctors have linked higher levels of visceral fat with health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. Even if you work out most days of the week, you might still be fighting an uphill battle with your belly fat. What makes belly fat so difficult to conquer?

You might assume all fat cells are created equal, but in fact, you have two different kinds of fat cells: alpha and beta cells. Different areas of your body have a higher proportion of one type or the other. When it comes to body composition and fat loss, alpha cells are the enemy. It’s harder to lose body fat from areas that have more alpha cells. In contrast, you can burn stored fat more easily in areas of your body with a higher concentration of beta cells.

Alpha cells are associated with areas of stubborn body fat, which are often the waist and belly. As we age, both women and men tend to develop a higher ratio of alpha to beta fat cells in the abdominal region. That’s the reason for the “spare tire,” “love handles,” and “muffin top” that can be so hard to shed.

Aging is one factor associated with the concentration of alpha and beta cells in different areas of the body, but heredity is another influence. If you’ve noticed a tendency toward a specific body composition runs in your family, you can chalk it up to an inherited predisposition to have a higher ratio of alpha to beta cells in certain areas.

Why Exercise Helps You Get Rid of Belly Fat

If you exercise regularly and still find yourself with a roll of belly fat, the first thing to try is to increase the difficulty level of your workouts. Intense exercise leads your body to release more adrenaline, which helps stimulate fat burning. That’s why vigorous exercise, including high-intensity resistance training, is a powerful weapon in your ongoing battle with belly fat.

Exercise also helps you have more energy throughout the day, and both cardio and weight training offer considerable benefits across the board. If you’re trying to shed stubborn belly fat, your fitness regimen should include a balance of aerobic activity and weightlifting exercises. However, keep in mind that overtraining can cause you to reach a weight-loss plateau or even gain weight, so make sure to build rest days into your workout schedule.

You Are What You Eat

Unsurprisingly, diet is another factor influencing stubborn belly fat, especially the amounts and types of protein, fiber, and carbs you consume.

Protein

Lean protein helps you feel fuller longer, which reduces your urge to consume empty calories during the day. It also helps your body build muscle, which burns more calories even when you’re sitting still. Most people are getting the right amount of protein in their diet, but not necessarily from lean sources like fish, chicken, turkey, beans, and legumes. Instead, we’re putting red meat and cheese on our plates.

Fiber

Currently, Americans eat an average of 16 grams of fiber – the parts of plants our bodies can’t digest – daily. That’s about half the recommended amount of fiber. Like protein, fiber gives you a feeling of satiety, and it also leads to less insulin secretion and more short-chain fatty acids. All these factors add up to help you lose weight. Good sources of fiber include raw, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains.

Carbohydrates

Contrary to what you may have heard, not all carbohydrates are bad. In fact, carbs fuel your body and brain throughout the day. However, refined carbs, such as those found in processed foods like white bread, make it harder for you to lose weight. Instead, eat healthy carbs like fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Role of Stress in Belly Fat

Anything that elevates your levels of cortisol – also known as the “stress hormone” – will make it harder to conquer stubborn belly fat. If you let stress get out of hand, including failing to get the right amount of sleep, you may have chronically elevated cortisol levels that are contributing to your inability to lose belly fat.

A healthy amount of exercise can be an effective form of stress release, helping lower cortisol levels naturally. However, be careful not to overdo it. Exercising too much, especially if you are also limiting your calorie intake, raises your baseline cortisol level and makes it harder to lose body fat. In fact, when your cortisol levels are high, fat tends to redistribute from other areas of the body, like your hips and thighs, to your belly. So, both mental and physical stress can increase stubborn belly fat.

Post-menopausal women also experience higher cortisol levels. That’s one reason so many older women have problems losing weight and experience an expanding waistline.

Manage stress using a method that works for you. Yoga and meditation are two of the most effective stress-relief tools. Also, be sure to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

The Bottom Line

Now that you understand why stubborn belly fat is so difficult to lose, you can develop a more strategic way to address it – including exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes. And, if you find even your concentrated efforts aren’t helping whittle down your middle, you can explore our surgical and non-surgical techniques for addressing belly fat, including a tummy tuck, liposuction, or CoolSculpting.