Men in America are increasingly finding themselves facing serious health problems as they get into middle age. These are men that are not fat, but who have fit, toned bodies. A masculine figure, you might say... but something is terribly wrong. Somehow, tiny pockets of fat keep appearing here and there, and they won't go away. Among recent fat disorders that have been targeting men are...



- Beergutsthia, an ailment referred to laymen as "beer belly." This term refers to a layer of fat that has somehow appeared around the lower stomach area of men who, honestly, don't drink THAT much beer;

- Supersizemea, which refers to layers of fat in various parts of the body caused by the extra portions of lard, grease, fat and chemically produced something-or-other in the generous portions of "fast food" we eat to save cash, save time, and get full;

These fatty ailments seem to be resistant to traditional methods of keeping fit, such as diet and exercise. They call for "bigger guns" than your usual fat problem. Plastic surgeons have responded with a new technique to get rid of these evil pockets of fat. It is called "liposculpture" or " lipoabdominoplasty."

Now, don't go looking in your dictionary for this. This new word has entered the vocabulary recently; and no, it's not just another word for "liposuction." If you diet and exercise, but you can't lose fat from a certain area of your body, liposculpture is a much more refined technique that targets certain parts where fat tends to accumulate.

Liposculpture procedures involve the use of anesthetic to numb muscle tissues, thus preventing bruising and allowing doctors to be more precise. This is referred to by plastic surgeons as the "tumescent technique," and is used for some other types of plastic surgery as well.

Because of its increased precision, this new technique targets fatty deposits which can appear around the belly, back, arms, legs and even face. It is particularly effective against those stubborn areas of fat that you just can't seem to get rid of.

Another good thing about liposculpture is that it is safer than liposuction. No general anesthetic is needed, and there is little pain or bruising. The recovery time is short, so you can get back to playing football (okay, watching football), exercising regularly, and other manly activities. You'll be left with some tiny puncture points, but no stitches. You won't have to stay in a hospital, and you'll find the bill to be considerably less than a liposuction operation.

One warning about liposculpture - in order for the operation to be successful, you must be in good overall shape. That means that this is not a viable option for men who are overweight everywhere. This method of fat removal is ideal for men who are otherwise at least somewhere in the neighborhood of what their weight should be.

If you think you might be a candidate for liposculpture, talk to your doctor for a consultation. They will be checking you out to determine if liposculpture will work for you or not. After all, a man's body should be a work of art! (alright, ladies, quit laughing!)