Muffin Tops seem to be the latest word for “hip rolls” or “love handles”. The fashionable low rise jeans and pants have certainly contributed to more visibility of that sensitive area. Liposuction is the plastic surgeon’s tool for minimizing local areas of fat that are exercise and diet resistant.
For a select group of patients the “muffin tops” may be the only area of concern. However, for many patients, both male and female, the abdomen and waist areas may also be contributing factors.
A careful assessment of the patient’s body and the focus of their concern are key to making sure that both the Doctor and patient are on the same page.
Liposuction uses an instrument called a cannula to carefully remove fat cells from the areas being treated. I use external ultrasonic tumescent liposuction. . The external ultrasonic method uses ultrasound to alter fat deposits, making them easier to remove. In the tumescent liposuction technique, fat is injected with a physiologic solution before surgery. This causes the fat to swell and improves penetration of the ultrasound wave, leading to easier removal of the fatty tissue.
The liposuction surgery is an outpatient procedure with minimal downtime. Patients are asked to refrain from vigorous exercise for a few weeks after surgery. For those patients who have tried both exercise and diet and who have maintained a healthy lifestyle, liposuction of their muffin tops or any other areas may be a good solution.
