In the English language, there is arguably no term more laden with emotional weight—or occupying more of our collective consciousness—than the F word. Fat has been a topic of discourse for many decades. Despite the evolving nature of how we discuss it, its prominence in the aesthetic sphere remains undiminished. Consequently, the market is flooded with a variety of fat reduction treatments, from surgical options like liposuction to non-surgical methods such as CoolSculpting, SculpSure, Emsculpt Neo, and others. Despite the widespread interest in this subject, numerous misconceptions persist. Here, top plastic surgeons debunk six common myths about fat reduction and explain why these beliefs are inaccurate.
1. Liposuction can help you lose weight.
Liposuction is not a method for weight loss. This is a fact. “It’s a superb technique for sculpting and contouring the body, not for shedding pounds,” clarifies Dr. Steven Williams, a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in Dublin, California. “The initial point I emphasize to patients is that fat is relatively light. It’s lighter than muscle and bone. Removing a liter of fat during liposuction equates to much less weight than most people anticipate.” Additionally, the fact that patients are filled with fluids during the procedure means many individuals actually weigh more immediately post-procedure than before, he notes.
2. You can “spot treat” areas of fat with diet and exercise.
The idea of localized fat burning is another deeply entrenched myth, according to Dr. Williams. “Advertisements for abdominal workout machines that promise a flatter stomach are common, and while these devices can strengthen muscles, they won’t lead to fat loss in the targeted area,” he explains. While you can reduce overall body fat through exercise or diet, you cannot dictate where the fat will be lost. “Diet and exercise are the best ways to reduce fat overall, but they won’t reshape your body,” adds Dr. Payman Danielpour, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. He also cautions that hormonal changes—such as those post-pregnancy or post-menopause—can alter fat storage and undermine even the most diligent diet and exercise regimens.
3. Fat won’t come back after it’s removed.
Let’s start with a basic biology lesson. After about the age of 18, the body stops producing new fat cells; weight gain or loss causes existing fat cells to expand or contract, Dr. Williams explains. People often believe that removing these fat cells (via liposuction or similar treatments) means the fat won’t return. This is incorrect. If you gain weight, your body will store the excess fat in existing cells. While you may not gain as much weight in the treated area due to fewer fat cells, the weight will accumulate elsewhere. Therefore, a fat-reduction procedure does not eliminate the possibility of future weight gain.
4. Liposuction is a minor procedure.
“If you see an ad for liposuction that suggests you can have it done in an afternoon under local anesthesia, be wary,” cautions Dr. Danielpour. While significant technological advancements in 2024 have improved safety and outcomes—both surgeons agree it’s the premier fat reduction method—liposuction remains a surgical procedure. Only board-certified plastic surgeons should perform it: “It’s an invasive procedure that, if not done by the right person, in the right way, on the right candidate, can lead to serious complications and long-term issues,” says Dr. Danielpour. He also notes that correcting poor liposuction results is extremely challenging.
5. Fat-reduction treatments are effective for cellulite.
While fat plays a role in the formation of cellulite, the presence of cellulite is distinct from having excess fat, says Dr. Danielpour. “If you have cellulite and remove fat, you’ll end up with more ripples and a more uneven appearance.” Think of a grape versus a raisin—removing volume worsens the appearance, he adds.
6. Excess fat is always the culprit.
Dr. Williams notes that fat often bears the blame for a person’s appearance, particularly in the abdominal area. “People focus on fat and consider it detrimental, but other factors influence abdominal contour, including muscles, potential diastasis recti, fat, and the skin covering it,” he says. While fat is a factor, its significance diminishes with age and skin elasticity loss. Additionally, if you’re overweight, the skin will inevitably sag; similarly, removing fat in cases of cellulite will only exacerbate sagging. Therefore, it’s crucial to address excess fat and consider methods to improve skin elasticity. Dr. Danielpour agrees, highlighting that treatments like radiofrequency-assisted liposuction, skin tightening procedures, or surgeries such as tummy tucks can be beneficial. “I often have women with multiple children who come in requesting liposuction when what they really need is a tummy tuck,” he says.
