Is there a difference between weight loss surgery and fat loss?

Some people think that losing weight is losing fat, but of course, there is a difference between them and it is important to understand this difference to properly achieve your health and fitness goals.

Here’s an explanation of the differences between them:

Weight loss:

It refers to an overall decrease in body weight, which can include loss of fat, water, muscle, and bone.
It may lead to decreased muscle mass, which can lower your basal metabolic rate and make it difficult to maintain weight loss. It can cause fluid loss, which may give the false appearance of weight loss.
Weight can be lost by significantly reducing calories, excessively increasing physical activity, or resorting to different types of weight loss surgery.
But it may not always be good for your health, especially if it leads to muscle loss. It can negatively affect strength and energy if it is not done healthily.
You can measure it using a scale. However, it does not distinguish between fat, muscle, or water loss.

Fat loss:

It refers to specifically reducing the percentage of body fat. It focuses on getting rid of fat stored in the body without losing muscle mass or fluids. It contributes to improving body composition, which means increasing the ratio of muscle to fat. It improves overall health and reduces the risk of obesity-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
You can achieve fat loss through strength exercises to increase muscle mass and cardio exercises to burn fat, which leads to improved fitness and physical appearance and enhances overall health by reducing harmful visceral fat and improving hormonal balance.
It is measured using tools such as biometrics and body fat analyses, providing a more accurate picture of improvements in body composition.

What is more important, weight loss or fat loss?

The importance between weight loss and fat loss depends on the health and fitness goals of the individual. But losing fat is considered more important and beneficial to overall health compared to losing weight in general. Here are the reasons:
Reduced disease risk: Losing fat, especially visceral fat around internal organs, reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Increased muscle mass: When focusing on losing fat through exercise and proper nutrition, muscle mass is maintained or even increased, giving the body a more harmonious and attractive shape.
Appetite control: A balanced diet that focuses on fat loss helps control appetite and make you feel full for longer periods, reducing excess food intake.
Reducing stress and anxiety: Regular exercise and a healthy diet contribute to improving psychological state and reducing levels of stress and anxiety.

How to focus on fat loss instead of weight loss and bariatric surgery?

Balanced nutrition: Eat meals rich in protein, vegetables, and healthy fats, and reduce sugars and simple carbohydrates.
Exercise: Strength training and weight lifting combined with cardio.
Good sleep: Get enough sleep to improve hormonal balance and increase metabolic rate.
Drink water: Drink sufficient amounts of water to maintain fluid balance and improve metabolism.
Accurate monitoring: Measure the percentage of body fat instead of focusing only on the scale.

In general, focusing on fat loss rather than total weight loss is more beneficial for you, improving your body’s appearance and performance, and achieving a balance between proper nutrition and appropriate exercise, which achieves sustainable and healthy results.

Dr. Samir Al Rahmani, the best surgeon in Dubai and a consultant in the field of bariatric, laparoscopic surgery, and general surgery, advises the necessity of continuous follow-up after the operation with your doctor, and you can contact him through the number:
+971 55 256 4750