Two types of fat are involved in the accumulation of fat at the abdominal level.
• Deep abdominal fat : located around the internal organs, it is closely correlated with cardiovascular risk and cannot be managed by medical techniques.
• Superficial subcutaneous fat : located just under the skin, it is responsible for the prominent or irregular appearance of the abdomen and can be treated with targeted aesthetic treatments.
Men and women are looking for a harmonious body, in order to conform to current beauty standards.
Medical and surgical techniques have been developed to meet patients’ demands : to have a flat stomach, to have a flat stomach without surgery, to have a firm and smooth abdomen.
How to lose belly fat ? This is a common concern for many people looking to refine their silhouette. The belly is an area where abdominal fat accumulates easily and can be difficult to eliminate, even with a healthy diet and physical activity. In aesthetic-oriented medicine, there are effective non-surgical solutions to target this stubborn fat.
Techniques such as cryolipolysis and radiofrequency help reduce localized fat and firm the skin for a flat and toned abdomen. Personalized treatments make it possible to lose belly fat quickly and safely, without surgery or social downtime.
Fat accumulation in the abdominal area is due to three factors :
• An excessive intake of calories compared to the body’s needs : a diet that is too rich and limited physical activity.
• Genetics : some people tend to store fat in the abdominal area.
• Hormones : this is the case postpartum, during menopause, and in men after the age of fifty (when androgen levels drop).
During menopause, fat distribution changes : women shift from a gynoid body type (fat stored in the hips, buttocks, and thighs) to an android body type (fat stored in the abdominal area).
There are not really foods that burn belly fat. Some foods are slimming allies because they have a draining and fat-reducing action and facilitate intestinal transit thanks to their fiber content.
Their consumption must be part of a healthy and varied diet, rich in proteins and good fats and low in fast sugars and animal fat.
Foods that help burn abdominal fat are : lemon, apple, eggplant, cinnamon, pineapple, avocado, green tea, papaya.
In the majority of cases, an overall weight loss should be considered.
Sport and a healthy and balanced diet are the best ways to achieve this goal.
Cardio training should be prioritized to burn a maximum number of calories, it is better to favor sports that engage the whole body : running, jump rope, swimming.
Targeted exercises should be performed as a complement : abdominal exercises, planking, burpees.
During the information consultation, Dr Romano carries out a personalized assessment in order to determine whether the patient is a good candidate for aesthetic-oriented medicine procedures or whether surgical management is the only relevant option.
A healthy and balanced diet, combined with regular physical activity, must always accompany the proposed treatments. It is common for slim and physically active people to nevertheless present a small excess of localized abdominal fat. These patients represent particularly suitable candidates for medical techniques that make it possible to reduce belly fat without resorting to surgery.
The cryolipolysis is a localized slimming technique using cold.
The session is painless and does not require any social downtime.
Medical assessment is fundamental to the success of the treatment. In fact, intra-abdominal fat cannot be reduced by cryolipolysis.
In the presence of excessive skin laxity at the level of the fat bulge, or when skin elasticity is insufficient, the patient is not a good indication, as the skin is not able to retract properly.
Results are visible one month after the session and are maximal three months later.
Depending on the thickness and the location of the fat bulge, one to four applicators may be used and one to three sessions may be performed.
The radiofrequency for the abdomen is a skin tightening technique, particularly indicated after a loss of volume in this area.
Unlike methods aimed at reducing fat bulges, it does not eliminate the fat deposit, but helps to densify and retighten the skin after slimming. By stimulating collagen production, it restores firmness and elasticity to loose skin, improving the appearance of the abdomen and reducing folds or a flaccid aspect.
This technique is indicated in cases of mild abdominal skin laxity, possibly associated with a small fat deposit. Significant skin laxity falls under a surgical indication.
To “lose belly fat”, the most suitable device mainly depends on what you want to correct : fat, lack of muscle tone or skin laxity.
Cryolipolysis is the technique that has most often shown a real reduction in abdominal fat. Studies indicate that it can reduce the thickness of subcutaneous fat by up to around 20 to 25 % in the treated area after one session. Results are progressive and visible over several weeks. It is therefore the reference method when the main objective is localized fat.
HIFEM-type technologies (electromagnetic stimulation) mainly act on the abdominal muscles. They strengthen the abdominal wall and improve tone, giving a firmer abdomen. When combined with radiofrequency, a complementary effect on fat and waist circumference may be observed, but this is not their primary action.
Radiofrequency, for its part, is mainly used to tighten the skin and improve its quality. It does not allow a true loss of fat, but it is useful in cases of skin laxity.
The cost of a non-surgical treatment to reduce abdominal fat in Geneva varies according to the size of the area to be treated and the number of sessions required.
This evaluation is carried out during a medical consultation, during which a personalised quote is provided.
For cryolipolysis, each applicator is priced at 250 CHF. The number of applicators needed depends on the patient’s morphology : the abdomen may be divided into several areas — above or below the navel, to the right or left — which may require one to four applicators per session. The total price of a cryolipolysis session for the abdomen therefore ranges from 250 CHF to 1,000 CHF, depending on the number of areas treated.
As a complement, abdominal radiofrequency sessions may be recommended to firm the skin and enhance the overall result, especially in the presence of skin laxity.
Each session, priced at 300 CHF, covers the entire abdominal area.
To help reduce abdominal fat, it is recommended to have a light dinner rich in lean proteins (such as grilled chicken or fish), accompanied by fiber-rich vegetables like spinach or broccoli. These foods promote satiety and aid digestion, contributing to a flatter stomach.
It is advisable to avoid refined carbohydrates (such as white bread and white pasta), processed foods rich in added sugars and saturated fats, as well as carbonated drinks. These foods can promote fat storage in the abdominal area and cause bloating.
The accumulation of abdominal fat can be attributed to various factors, including an unbalanced diet, a lack of physical activity, stress and genetic predisposition. In some individuals, high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can also promote fat storage in this region.
Subcutaneous fat is located just under the skin and is palpable. It serves as an energy reserve and acts as protection against shocks. Visceral fat, on the other hand, is located deeper in the abdominal cavity, surrounding internal organs such as the liver and intestines. An excess of visceral fat is associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat, is metabolically active and can be more resistant to elimination. In addition, hormonal factors, such as insulin and cortisol, can influence fat storage in this region, making abdominal fat loss more difficult than in other areas of the body.
The distribution of abdominal fat may vary between patients. Fat in the lower abdomen is often subcutaneous, located just under the skin, whereas fat in the upper abdomen may include a higher proportion of visceral fat, surrounding the internal organs. This distinction is important because visceral fat is associated with higher health risks.
