As we age, our metabolism slows down and it becomes increasingly difficult to shed fat. And depending on the body type, fat might accumulate more in one area compared to another. 

Belly fat can be unappealing and also hard on our health. We know that removing belly fat will allow your stomach to look smooth and slimmer, but it also may reduce the stresses associated with that added fat and decrease potential health risks. So how can we remove this stubborn belly fat? And why is it so difficult to remove it past a certain age?

Improved technology allows us to remove stubborn body fat and improve contours without needing to go under the knife! 

Removing Belly Fat

It is extremely common to have excess belly fat, and therefore it is extremely common to seek ways to get rid of it. Having a waist circumference over 40 inches (in men; 102 cm) and 35 inches (in women; 88 cm) is considered abdominal obesity and can contribute to negative health risks. 

By having higher amounts of fat in the midsection, a person might be susceptible or at a greater risk for health conditions like cardiovascular disease, dementia, asthma, and different types of cancer. Therefore, there are both cosmetic and physical reasons to consider removing excess fat at the waist. 

Knowing that we need to remove belly fat and actually removing it are two vastly different things. Belly fat might stick around due to a person’s lifestyle, diet, the amount that they exercise, genetics, other health conditions, or stress. Belly fat and age are also strongly correlated. 

Higher levels of belly fat are generally correlated to the number of calories consumed a day, the number of calories burned in a day, and age. 

Because the body produces less growth hormone as we get older, and the amount further decreases once we pass the age of 30, our metabolism starts to slow down. A slower metabolic rate leads to weight gain or weight staying around longer. 

This fact, coupled by increasing calorie consumption and decreasing calories burned daily leads to packing on that excess stomach fat. It also leads to decreases in energy, worsening sleep, mood changes, and diet changes. This unfortunately means that as we age, keeping belly fat at bay is incredibly difficult!

In order to remove the belly fat and stay healthy, doctors typically recommend moderate to high-intensity exercise at least three times a week. This must also be accompanied by a healthy diet, plenty of water, and an appropriate amount of sleep.

Understandably, you could be doing all the right things and still find it difficult to keep the belly weight down. Turning to medical support to remove belly fat is normal, and actually may be better for your health! You can consider both surgical procedures (such as liposuction) as well as any of the non-surgical procedures listed below. 

Why Consider Non-Surgical Cosmetic Improvements?

Surgical cosmetic enhancements like liposuction are generally regarded as more effective when it comes to cosmetic improvements in a particular area. Surgeries like liposuction might offer a greater reward, but is it worth the risk? 

Non-surgical cosmetic improvements are one way to reap the benefits of cosmetic enhancement while skipping the risks associated with going under the knife. With surgical procedures, patients are typically sedated under hospital-grade anesthesia and require a type of in-patient and out-patient process. 

Whenever someone “goes under”, there are a number of risks associated with the procedure. Because of the potential complications associated with surgery (i.e., with poorly administered anesthesia, reactions to anesthesia, reactions and side effects of the surgery), non-surgical methods are safer and usually an effective alternative to surgery. 

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures are less invasive, usually more affordable, and can quickly (and often just as effectively) treat certain cosmetic issues. The biggest indicator that these procedures are considered “non-surgical” is whether or not they require the patient to be put under anesthesia and require out-patient procedures. 

Sometimes these treatments have positive physical effects as well, For example, Botox injections may improve migraines, reduce excess sweating, and improve urinary incontinence. But Botox won’t help to remove belly fat. Instead,non-surgical alternatives to remove belly fat might include procedures that involve laser therapy, hot/cold therapy, masks or peels, and injections. 

Non-Surgical Procedures For Belly Fat

Here are four main non-surgical ways procedures to remove belly fat and improve your health:

CoolSculpting®

Developed in 2008, CoolSculpting has been FDA approved to treat the double chin, thigh, back, upper arm, abdomen, chest, and buttocks. Known medically as a procedure called cryolipolysis, CoolSculpting freezes the fat and in doing so destroys the fat cells. 

CoolSculpting can lead to a more defined midsection as well as reduced bumps and bulges. It may take three for four sessions of treatment for all of the targeted fat to be removed, and patients might see results three weeks after treatment. 

Costs range from $2,000 to $4,000. In true non-surgical fashion, CoolSculpting requires no surgical prep, anesthesia, incisions, needles, or pain meds, no downtime, and provides natural-looking results. This method is considered natural because it uses the body’s own processes and there is a minimal amount of discomfort.

SculpSure®

SculpSure is a type of lipolysis treatment, which uses a Diode laser to break apart the fatty cells and reduce the volume of the fat tissue. Lipolysis was approved by the FDA in 2015 and is considered to be a safe procedure with no long-term adverse effects.

SculpSure is quick and the results are permanent. Therefore, patients go in to receive their treatment and walk out with fewer side effects than many other belly fat procedures. There is zero downtime in addition to making the skin feel tighter and healthier. 

SculpSure benefits might continue to show, even months after the procedure, and the procedure averages around $1,400. Candidates for this treatment are recommended to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or less, but it is approved for individuals with a BMI up to 43.

Appetite Suppressants

You may have come across appetite suppressants in your search for a natural, holistic way to remove unwanted weight gain and belly fat. Appetite suppressants have been around for some time, but it wasn’t until more recently when the FDA started to regulate this weight loss supplement. 

Appetite suppressants can be in the form of a herbal supplement or over the counter. However, it is always best to go with the doctor recommended appetite suppressant so that the dosage can be monitored. This therapy is in a pill form and is usually prescribed as a 30 day daily supply. 

Common appetite suppressants are Belviq and Qsymia, although there are others on the market. This is a simple belly fat treatment because the pills are taken in your home daily. As far as treatment options go, this one is very convenient. 

Of course, there is no downtime and the prescription cost ranges from $10 to $300 for a thirty-day supply. For over the counter treatment, you are looking at $20 to $60 for a thirty-day supply.

Smart Lipo

As a smart and non-invasive form of lipo, Smart Lipo takes advantage of the laser-assisted liposuction technique. Smart Lipo is an FDA approved laser-assisted fat removal procedure. 

Smart Lipo requires one small incision, which is used to insert a very thin tube that has the Smart Lipo laser fibers inside it. This tube is placed next to the targeted fat area. Thermal energy is then sent directly to the cells themselves and melts away the fat! Once the fat is melted, it is removed with gentle suction. 

Depending on the size of the area, the procedure is usually fast. A small area takes about an hour all-in-all. There is a small amount of recovery required, but still not as much as regular liposuction. Smart Lipo is done in an office and is way less invasive than liposuction.

Smart Lipo is very effective because it is a targeted therapy. One of the biggest perks is its affordability; patients receive similar benefits to standard surgical liposuction but instead undergo a procedure that is minimally invasive for only $30 to $50! 

Remove Unwanted Belly Fat

If the above options don’t work for your needs, you can work with a provider in your area to find the best procedure for you. 

Here are five additional non-surgical ways to remove belly fat:

• Bioidentical Hormone Therapy: A type of therapy that targets the body’s ability to produce hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. Bioidentical hormone therapy is a type of hormone replacement therapy that leads to overall improvements in health, age-related decline, energy, and metabolism. This therapy is simple (ingest by pill), affordable ($30-$85 a month), and convenient to take at home.

• Nature Throid: Addresses the role of decreased thyroid function that might happen in old age or in individuals with hypothyroidism. Nature Throid is better than artificially sourced thyroid replacement therapy because the hormones are naturally sourced. The therapy contains T4 and T3 hormones, as well as trace amounts of thyroid cofactors T1, T2, calcitonin, and iodine. It is very affordable ($55 on average) and you are only consuming a pill. Side effects might arise with higher or inaccurate dosages. 

• DNA Testing: This therapy looks at patients’ genetic variants to identify the likelihood of age-related conditions. This is a preventative therapy as patients learn their own genetic roadmap to better predict and prevent certain age-related decline. When done early, patients can develop certain health plans that target belly fat or weight loss reduction.

• Peptide Therapy: Peptides are the core components of proteins and when taken as a supplement can improve more than just belly fat. Peptide therapy might increase energy, muscle recovery and muscle gain, improve stamina, improve sex drive, and provide a deeper sleep. Therefore, causal side effects include reduced weight gain and weight loss, healthier and younger-looking skin, and more hair, among others. 

• Cryotherapy: Known as an optimal form of recovery and overall weight loss, cryotherapy involves the deep freezing (using subzero temperatures) of your body (up to but not including your head) through a gas chamber. The procedure is short; the patient stands during the entire process and remains alert. While there side effects might appear, like mild numbness, tingling, and redness, your heart rate and attention are constantly monitored so that no severe side effects can occur. This therapy is found to be safe and effective for kickstarting metabolism and weight loss. 

If you’d like to remove that pesky belly fat but you’d rather avoid surgery, there are a handful of procedures that you can consider that are minimally invasive and rather affordable. Your exact treatment option should be discussed with a provider so that you know that procedure is right for your needs.