Concern

Treatment for Excess Body Fat

Excess body fat is a localized or generalized accumulation of adipose tissue that may persist despite regular diet and exercise. Common areas include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, and submental region beneath the chin. Some body fat is essential for normal physiological function, but genetics, hormones, and differences in regional fat cell biology can make certain deposits resistant to lifestyle changes. It helps to separate two goals that are often treated as one: losing weight is a metabolic project measured on a scale, while reshaping a specific area is a contouring project measured in the mirror and addressed with procedures that remove a modest volume from a fixed site. We offer medical weight loss and surgical body contouring, allowing you to determine which goal you are pursuing without being sent elsewhere to work it out.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Kamakshi R. Zeidler, MD, FACS · Updated April 2026

At a Glance

Approximately 40% of U.S. adults have obesity, and over 70% are classified as overweight or obese according to national survey data^[1]

Body fat distribution is influenced by genetics, hormones, and sex, with regional differences in how fat cells grow and respond to weight changes^[3]

Liposuction is consistently among the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States^[5]

Non-invasive cryolipolysis has been shown to reduce subcutaneous fat at the treatment site by up to 25% after a single session in clinical studies^[4]

Visceral fat deep in the abdomen is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health conditions^[2]

Signs & symptoms

Visible fat deposits in the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or arms that persist despite diet and exercise
Difficulty achieving desired body contour through lifestyle modifications alone
Localized pockets of fat that appear disproportionate to overall body composition
Skin laxity or fullness in areas with concentrated fat deposits
Submental fullness or the appearance of a double chin
Clothing that fits unevenly due to localized fat accumulation
Changes in body fat distribution associated with aging or hormonal shifts

What causes Excess Body Fat

Genetic predisposition to regional fat storage patterns
Hormonal factors including estrogen, cortisol, and insulin levels
Age-related changes in metabolism and fat distribution
Sedentary lifestyle and reduced physical activity
Caloric surplus from dietary patterns
Post-pregnancy body composition changes
Variations in regional adipocyte biology affecting fat mobilization

Risk factors

Family history of similar body fat distribution patterns
Sedentary lifestyle or limited physical activity
Age over 40 (metabolism and hormonal changes)
Female sex (higher predisposition to subcutaneous fat storage)
Post-pregnancy status
Hormonal imbalances or endocrine conditions
History of weight fluctuations or yo-yo dieting
Chronic stress (cortisol-related fat storage)

How it's assessed

Clinical assessment of body composition and fat distribution
Body mass index (BMI) calculation as an initial screening measure
Waist circumference measurement to assess central adiposity
Physical examination to evaluate localized fat deposits
Review of medical history, dietary patterns, and exercise habits
Assessment for underlying medical conditions that may contribute to fat accumulation

How is Excess Body Fat treated

Several approaches can address excess body fat:

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Recovery & outlook

Localized fat deposits often respond well to targeted body contouring procedures
Results from surgical fat removal are generally long-lasting when combined with weight stability
Non-invasive treatments may require multiple sessions to achieve desired outcomes
Maintaining results typically requires ongoing attention to diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors
Individual outcomes can vary based on skin elasticity, fat distribution, and treatment approach

Frequently Asked Questions

Excess body fat refers to localized or generalized accumulations of adipose tissue that can remain despite regular diet and exercise. It commonly appears in the abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, or beneath the chin. Some body fat is essential for health, but stubborn deposits may resist lifestyle changes.
Signs include visible deposits in areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs that persist despite diet and exercise, clothing that fits unevenly, fullness beneath the chin, and pockets of fat that look disproportionate to your overall body composition.
Stubborn fat deposits can reflect genetic predisposition, hormonal influences such as estrogen and cortisol levels, age-related metabolic changes, and differences in regional fat cell biology. Some areas are more resistant to fat mobilization than others, which is why a specific pocket may remain even after overall weight loss.
See a healthcare provider if excess body fat is affecting your quality of life, diet and exercise have not changed a specific area, or you notice a sudden or unexplained change in fat distribution. A medical evaluation can help rule out an underlying condition and identify appropriate treatment options.
Treatment ranges from structured diet and exercise programs to medical and procedural care. Options may include medical weight management, liposuction, abdominoplasty, non-invasive contouring such as cryolipolysis, and injectable fat reduction. The relevant approach depends on whether the goal is overall weight loss or a change in a defined area.
Many body contouring procedures can produce lasting results, particularly when paired with weight stability and healthy lifestyle habits. Fat cells removed through surgery generally do not regenerate in the treated area. Non-invasive treatments may require maintenance sessions, while ongoing attention to diet and exercise supports long-term results.
Regular cardiovascular exercise and strength training can help reduce overall body fat. A balanced diet that creates a moderate caloric deficit may also promote fat loss. Adequate sleep, stress management, consistent hydration, and regular activity can complement professional treatment.
No. Treating liposuction as weight loss is the most common reason people are disappointed by it. Liposuction removes a limited volume of subcutaneous fat from targeted areas, changing shape at a stable weight rather than the number on the scale. It does not address visceral fat around the organs, which drives the metabolic risk associated with excess weight and responds to weight loss instead. The practical sequence is to reach a maintainable weight and then address what remains. Because we offer both medical weight loss and body contouring, the first appointment can begin with the result you want rather than the service you happened to select.
The answer depends on how much fat is involved and where it sits. Suction-based contouring is designed for small, well-defined deposits at a stable weight, with the flanks, lower abdomen, and inner thighs among the classic treatment sites. Submental fat has its own options, described on our double chin page. When the concern is definition rather than volume, electromagnetic muscle stimulation such as EMSculpt works on the muscle beneath the fat and produces a different kind of result. If a substantial amount of weight remains in play, medication-assisted weight management comes first because surgery performed before the weight settles would reshape a body that is about to change again.