Understanding Fat

Understanding Body Fat: What Liposuction Can and Cannot Do

When most people think about body fat, they picture the soft layer beneath the skin that can be “suctioned away” with cosmetic surgery. But the human body actually has multiple types of fat, stored in different regions, and not all of it is accessible to liposuction. Knowing the difference helps set realistic expectations for body contouring and reminds us why a healthy lifestyle remains essential.

Layers of Fat in the Body
Broadly, body fat can be divided into two categories: subcutaneous and visceral.

• Subcutaneous fat is the layer directly beneath the skin. This is the fat you can pinch on your belly, arms, or thighs. In the extremities—like the upper arms, thighs, and hips—subcutaneous fat is the most visible and is usually what people want reduced for a slimmer shape. This is the layer that liposuction targets.
• Visceral fat, on the other hand, lies deeper inside the body, surrounding organs such as the liver, intestines, and heart. You can’t pinch this type of fat—it contributes to a round, firm midsection and is strongly linked to health risks like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Liposuction cannot remove visceral fat. The only way to reduce it is through diet, physical activity, and overall weight management.

What Liposuction Can Address
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss method. It can selectively reduce stubborn subcutaneous fat pockets that don’t respond to exercise—like the “love handles,” outer thighs, or under the chin. By removing fat cells in specific areas, liposuction can create smoother lines and better proportions.

However, it cannot improve overall health, change metabolism, or reduce dangerous visceral fat. Nor does it prevent fat from returning. After liposuction, if calorie intake exceeds what the body burns, remaining fat cells in untreated areas (or even in the treated area) can enlarge again.

The Role of Age and Fat Distribution
One important factor to consider is how fat distribution naturally shifts with age. In younger years, fat tends to accumulate more in the hips, thighs, and buttocks (especially in women). With aging and hormonal changes, fat storage often shifts toward the abdomen, particularly in the visceral compartment. This means even if someone undergoes liposuction in one area, new fat may appear in a completely different place over time.

Different Types of Fat
Beyond subcutaneous and visceral, scientists also recognize brown fat (which burns calories to generate heat), white fat (the main energy storage type), and beige fat (which has some calorie-burning properties). While cosmetic procedures affect only white subcutaneous fat, lifestyle choices like regular exercise and healthy eating can improve the balance between these fat types and overall metabolic health.

The Bottom Line
Liposuction can be a useful tool for reshaping the body, but it is not a substitute for healthy habits. A balanced diet, consistent activity, and long-term weight management remain mandatory for reducing visceral fat and maintaining results. Understanding how fat works—and how it changes with age—allows for more realistic expectations and healthier choices.