Body Contouring in Vancouver
LipoContour Treatment for Saddlebag Fat Reduction
Do you have saddlebags fat that you would like to remove? You’re in the right place! We have introduced a new treatment specifically for saddlebags fat removal in our Vancouver body contouring clinic, and best of all, this treatment comes with a results guarantee!
In this article we talk about what causes saddlebags on the body, why saddlebag fat is so hard to remove, and about our approach to reducing saddlebags fat in our Vancouver body sculpting clinic.
Body image has been a matter of concern for hundreds of decades. Individuals, particularly women strive to achieve their ideal body shape in order to look good and feel better about themselves.
In our Vancouver body contouring practice, we understand that body contouring is not about weight loss. Body sculpting is about changing the body’s shape in order to improve esthetics. Body contour reflects the proportionality and balance of a person’s figure which is significantly determined by the genetic bone structure and fat distribution. The body contour in men and women differ to a greater degree due to hormonal and anatomic differences.
We all have areas where we are genetically predisposed to store fat, and sometimes this can spoil the body’s esthetic. Saddlebags fat on the body gives you a bottom-heavy pear shape and shortens the line of the legs.
Why do women tend to exhibit saddlebags fat? This is because women tend to accumulate fat in the pelvic, hip, and thigh region, whereas men are inclined towards abdominal or central fat accumulation. While fat accumulation is a normal process, some people suffer from abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat in certain regions. One of the prime examples related to this abnormality is the presence of saddlebags fat, typically in women.
What are saddlebags?
What exactly are saddlebags on the body? Are saddlebags fat or muscle? And did you know that there are different types of fat?
Saddlebags are fat, in particular a type of genetic, fibrous, subcutaneous fat which is incredibly hard to lose. Accumulation of fat may be of two types – superficial subcutaneous fat is associated with genetics, hence called ‘genetic fat’ and deeper fat arises due to metabolic disturbance, hence known as ‘metabolic fat’. In contrast to the metabolic or deeper fat, genetic or subcutaneous fat is hard to lose. Therefore, saddlebags are also found in very fit and skinny women!
Saddlebags are characterized by subcutaneous abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat in the upper outer or trochanteric region of the thighs. Saddlebags on the body are named after the horse saddle, as the fat hangs loosely on either side of the thighs, below the hips. This gives the woman a characteristic pear-shaped figure. [1]
How severe are your thigh saddlebags? The severity of a saddlebag is determined by using the Pittsburgh Saddlebag Rating Scale. This evaluation system is based on the protuberance of the subcutaneous saddlebag fat deposits that influence the appearance of saddlebags. The grading system determines the appropriate treatment plan for saddlebag fat removal. The grades and their description are given in the table below. [2]
| Pittsburgh Saddle Bag Grade | Description |
|---|---|
|
Grade 0 |
No subcutaneous saddlebag fat protuberance |
|
Grade 1 |
Slight subcutaneous saddlebag fat protuberance |
|
Grade 2 |
Moderate subcutaneous saddlebag fat protuberance |
|
Grade 3 |
Severe subcutaneous saddlebag fat protuberance and presence of folds or double bubble |
Why do I have both saddlebags and cellulite?
Having both saddlebag fat and cellulite is very common. In many cases saddlebags may also present with cellulite in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In our Vancouver body sculpting clinic we typically see saddlebags on the legs together with cellulite. The good news is that our saddlebags removal treatment is also a cellulite treatment, addressing both of these stubborn issues!
What is cellulite? Cellulite refers to the dimpled or padded appearance of the skin in the thighs and buttocks. Similar to saddlebags on the thigh, cellulite is mostly found among young, post-pubertal women. Saddlebag fat formation is related to your genetic body shape, and you might notice your thigh saddlebags making an appearance during the times in your life when estrogen levels are elevated.
An increase in estrogen levels can cause the appearance of both saddlebags on the thighs as well as cellulite, a characteristic feature of pregnancy, lactation, long-term use of oral contraceptives, and other endocrine health conditions.
What comes first, saddlebags fat or cellulite? Typically, cellulite occurs secondary to saddlebag fat accumulation. How does this happen? Excessive saddlebag fat exerts tension on the fibrous connective tissue layer beneath the skin and alters the normal structure. The subcutaneous fat protrudes through the altered fibrous septa and manifests as dimples or pits in the affected area, resulting in the classic appearance of cellulite on the thigh saddlebags area. The fibrous nature of saddlebags fat also results in decreased circulation and lymphatic drainage in the affected area, further aggravating the appearance of cellulite on the legs.
The reason why women are more prone to cellulite than men lies in the fact that the connective tissue fibers in the fibrous septa are perpendicular to the skin surface. [3] Cellulite and saddlebag fat disrupts the normal body contour as well as significantly affects an individual’s confidence and self-image.
Why is saddlebag fat hard to lose?
While the visceral or deeper fat is dangerous for internal organs and increases the risk of heart diseases, the subcutaneous superficial fat is less dangerous but more difficult to eliminate. Subcutaneous saddlebag fat is not affected significantly by exercise and diet. This type of fat demonstrates resistance against the catecholamines released during exercise as well as insulin, which is released after a meal. [1]
As the saddlebag fat accumulates, it exerts greater tension on the subcutaneous fibrous bands. This makes these fibrous bands increase and grow thicker, that surround the adipocytes. This is the ultimate reason why saddlebag fat removal is a harder task than visceral fat removal. [3]
What contributes to the appearance of saddlebags?
Hormonal and lifestyle attributes are the etiological factors that complement the genetic susceptibility of developing saddlebags. Although less effective as compared to eliminating visceral fat, a healthy well-balanced diet, and regular exercise may help reduce saddlebag fat to some extent.
Processed food, trans fat, refined carbohydrates, and fast food increase the accumulation of saddlebag fat and are also harmful to the overall wellbeing of an individual. One should consume adequate proteins as they increase the rate at which the body burns fat. The diet should also contain fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Hence, a healthy diet can prevent as well as reduce the occurrence of saddlebags.
Daily exercise and avoiding sitting for long periods help an individual reduce saddlebag fat. Cardio activities such as hiking, swimming, biking, jogging, walking, and dancing increase the basal metabolic rate and burn the saddlebag fat. Cardio activities are also accompanied by exercise to tone the muscles and accelerate fat reduction. Some common exercises helpful for saddlebag fat removal are squats, fire hydrants, lunges, hip extension, hip raise, yoga, Pilates, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). [4]
Treatment options to reduce saddlebag fat?
- Cryolipolysis or fat freezing is a non-invasive technique to reduce saddlebag fat. It works on the principle that adipocytes are more susceptible to damage in a colder environment than other types of cells. By applying cold temperature to the marked area, saddlebag fat shrinks as the adipocytes undergo apoptosis. Cryolipolysis is a less painful fat reduction method. [5]
- Liposuction is one of the most common fat reduction methods for body contouring. This surgical technique employs vacuum suction to eliminate subcutaneous adipose tissue. However, the surgical removal of the fat leads to severe side effects such as vascular compromise and abrupt body contour. [6]
Saddlebag fat reduction at the Contour Body Lab
If you are a mom worried about your saddlebag fat, head over to Contour Body Lab in Vancouver, BC, to get your body contoured right away. At the Contour Body Lab, we provide our signature LipoContour Stubborn Fat Treatment to reduce diet and exercise-resistant fat. The treatment requires one to three sessions for each area and you can see the complete results 6 to 8 weeks after the treatment. Best of all, our saddlebag reduction treatment also has a results guarantee, so the only thing you have to loose are your unwanted saddlebags!
The treatment is ideal for those who have stubborn fat, yet their weight is not 20 lbs. more than the desired weight. Visit the Contour Body Lab in Vancouver for a consultation about your treatment plan for saddlebag fat removal. You can then book the appointment online at your convenience. [7]
References
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28654588/
- https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/38/10/1115/4993782
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5234561/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/saddlebags-fat
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4079633/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
- https://contourbody.ca/lipocontour/