‘Love handles’ is an affectionate term for the accumulation of excess fat that sits around your hips and waist. It originates from the idea that this where your partner might hold onto you. These bulges are sometimes called a ‘muffin top’ or ‘spare tyre’ too as they tend to flow over above tight clothing.
Common Causes
‘Love handles’ are essentially caused by accumulation of fat. If you are taking in more calories than you are burning, your body will convert these calories into fat that tends to sit around your abdomen.
Other factors can also contribute to ‘love handles’. An excess of the stress hormone cortisol can mean you lay down more fat in the abdominal area. Age can also be a factor, as belly fat becomes more of an issue as you get older. If your diet is high in fats, sugars, and high-calorie foods and you don’t exercise a lot you are likely to increase the risk of having ‘love handles’ too.
What can I do about my ‘love handles’/excess abdominal fat?
These stubborn areas of fat are very difficult to target. Burning more calories than you consume can help reduce overall fat, but it is hard to reduce fat in ‘spot areas’. Targeting a specific area like your ‘love handles’ may need body shaping techniques.
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that can enhance your body contours. It creates a smoother, firmer abdominal profile, improving overall body shape and confidence. A tummy tuck can be tailored to your individual needs, so you may like to add liposuction or quantum radiofrequency tightening to your tummy tuck procedure, all of which can improve your waistline. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes excess fat through the use of suction. Quantum radiofrequency tightening stimulates fibroseptal contraction and collagen synthesis resulting in soft tissue and skin tightening.
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I’ve already been assessed for my love handles / excess abdominal fat
If you’ve already discussed your love handles with a cosmetic surgery consultant, you may have filled in an assessment form from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. See Example.
If you have previously completed an assessment form for your condition, please do bring a copy to your initial consultation.
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Envisioning yourself with a fuller look has never been easier.
Want To See The New You Before The Procedure? Now you can virtually “try on” different breast implants by using the worldwide leading 3D plastic surgery application to simulate yourself from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to save your photos to share them with our surgeon at your appointment.
