Which Fat Reduction Treatment is Right For You?

Are you struggling to shift stubborn pockets of fat from your stomach, thighs, or hips? When it comes to toning up, some areas are much more challenging to tackle than others – and knowing how best to get rid of those stubborn pockets of fat can feel downright impossible. Whilst a healthy diet and exercise are essential for overall fat loss, occasionally, we may need a little helping hand to target particular areas of the body. This is where fat reduction treatments come in. From CoolSculpting and Aqualyx to the non-surgical gastric balloon, this is everything you need to know about the top fat reduction treatments and what to expect from them in terms of results.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is a non-surgical treatment to target specific areas of fat. The process uses controlled cooling to selectively eliminate stubborn fat cells. Multiple areas can be treated, and data has shown a fat reduction of up to 27% in the treated area within eight to twelve weeks after one session, with further treatments available if required. Once those fat cells are gone, they’re gone for good, and even if you gain weight in the future it won’t distribute as heavily in those areas. Combined with a balanced diet and active lifestyle, it can help to create a more defined silhouette.

A good candidate is someone who is within about a stone of their goal weight, although the treatment can be used on all shapes and sizes. The ideal patient is someone with a reasonably healthy lifestyle already, who just wants to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat in specific areas. The treatment is FDA-approved for various body areas, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks, the upper arms and even the chin and jawline.

Aqualyx or Belkyra – Fat-dissolving injections

Aqualyx is a non-surgical fat dissolving injection treatment. The procedure uses a solution of deoxycholic acid to safely eliminate small, stubborn pockets of fat which resist diet and exercise. It works by liquefying fat cells in the chosen treatment area, destroying them for good. The fat/lipids are then released and eliminated naturally by the lymphatic system.

As multiple injections are required to treat larger areas, Aqualyx is generally recommended for small, hard-to-treat areas, such as double chins or fatty deposits above the knees or ankles. Therefore, CoolSculpting may be more appropriate for larger treatment zones.

You will see the full results of Aqualyx two to three months after several treatment sessions, and all swelling has dispersed.

Elipse Gastric Balloon

Known as the world’s first ‘swallowable gastric balloon in a pill’, the Elipse enables up to 15% body weight loss in as little as four months with no surgery. The balloon system consists of a soft, expandable balloon inserted orally and filled with 500ml of water through a fine catheter once inside the stomach. This is where it sits for approximately four months, making you feel fuller with less food in your stomach. After this time, the balloon deflates and passes naturally through your gastrointestinal tract.

The Elipse balloon is used as part of a wider treatment programme. One which combines a high-tech balloon solution with a complete support package, including nutritional and dietary coaching, to help you develop good lifestyle habits that stick around long after the balloon has gone.

Nutritional Therapy

While some of us have more of a genetic predisposition to storing fat than others, diet, hormones, and lifestyle also have an impact. Certain areas, such as the stomach, hips and outer thighs, tend to carry the most significant fat pockets, which is often down to genetics or hormonal changes. Working with a nutritionist to identify a bespoke nutrition plan tailored to your specific needs and requirements can go a long way when it comes to reaching your body goals. Try reducing your sugar intake, practising a healthy sleep routine and eating meals with plenty of colourful vegetables to balance hormones and reduce total body fat levels.

Which is right for you?

Ultimately, the best treatment option for you will depend on your individual treatment goals. But it also depends on your concerns, the area you wish to target and how much fat you’re hoping to erase.

CoolSculpting is generally a more appropriate treatment option for stubborn pockets of fat that won’t shift through diet or exercise alone. Aqualyx is unlikely to be used to treat fat deposits in large areas like the abdomen or thighs, but it can be helpful in treating small areas such as a double chin if there isn’t enough pinchable fat in the area for the CoolSculpting applicator

CoolSculpting involves considerably less downtime than Aqualyx and usually requires fewer treatment sessions, so it is often more cost-effective for the patient.

If you have a BMI higher than 27 and have a significant amount of weight to lose around the whole body, the Elipse Gastric Balloon is likely to be the most effective in terms of result and cost. Not only does it help you lose weight, but it teaches you how to implement healthier lifestyle choices and reduce your chances of developing more severe health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes in the future.

To find out more about our treatment options or book a consultation with one of our expert practitioners, click here.