Posted: August 8, 2018
Love handles are those deposits of fat and skin that reside just above the waist. Like all accumulations of fat, love handles may be the result of dietary choices and a lack of physical activity. They may also be a result of hormones or an underlying medical condition such as hyperthyroidism or sleep apnea.
By and large, love handles are addressed through diet and exercise. Choosing a diet that focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates while eliminating foods high in sugar, white flour, and artificial ingredients is a great place to start. But fat elimination cannot always be accomplished through diet alone.
The Mayo Clinic reports that the Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults get, at a minimum:
- 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly (or)
- 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity weekly (plus)
- 12 to 15 repetitions of strength training per muscle group twice per week
If you are trying to reduce your love handles, you will want to double this - aiming for at least 300 minutes (about 45 minutes per day) of moderate aerobic exercise weekly or 150 minutes of intense aerobic exercise. For optimal results, many trainers recommend combining moderate and intense activities at intervals.
Your efforts notwithstanding, diet and exercise do not always work. You may need assistance from a plastic surgeon to reach your goals. Board-certified Indianapolis plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Fata welcomes an opportunity to meet with you and discuss those goals, allowing him to help you determine if liposuction is the best fit for your needs.
Liposuction for Love Handles
Love handles, also known as flanks, respond very well to liposuction and the advanced liposuction techniques utilized by Dr. Fata allow for maximum removal of fat with minimal risks for complications.
Options such as ultrasonic liposuction, offered through our office, help to minimize damage to surrounding muscle, tissue, and blood vessels, which can help reduce swelling, bruising, and risks of bleeding. Our love handle liposuction techniques also allow for a shorter recovery than may be expected with more traditional options.
It is important to remember that liposuction is not an immediate fix. It can take time for swelling and bruising to go down and final results may be obscured by these things during the recovery process. Addressing love handle liposuction recovery in a recent article on Zwivel.com, Dr. Fata was quoted as saying, “Most patients feel sore in the flanks and lower back for about one week. Bruising in the treatment area might not subside for two to three weeks. Swelling may not subside for one to two months, sometimes more, which is why final results are not immediately apparent.”
During your time in our care, we will discuss the procedure from preparation through recovery to help you plan for and adjust to the steps you will need to take for the most rewarding experience possible.
How Much Does It Cost to have Love Handles Removed?
The cost of love handle liposuction at Renaissance Plastic Surgery may be as low as $3,400. If additional areas are being treated, liposuction costs can increase up to $6,700. Factors that impact the cost of liposuction include how many areas are being treated, how much fat is being removed, and the type of liposuction being performed. Remember, with Dr. Fata, your liposuction costs are complete and will include all fees from the surgical center and any attending staff, including anesthesiologist fees when applicable.
If you are concerned about the cost of liposuction, we would be happy to discuss financing options during your initial consultation.
If you are unhappy with your love handles and have not had luck reducing them through diet and exercise, please call Renaissance Plastic Surgery at 317-575-9152 to learn if Dr. Fata can help. Located in Indianapolis, our board-certified plastic surgeon serves all surrounding areas of Indiana including Carmel, Noblesville, Greenfield, Franklin, and Bainbridge.
