If you are feeling frustrated by the ongoing battle against stubborn fat, you are most certainly not alone. According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), liposuction has consistently remained one of the top five cosmetic procedures across the country. In recent years, over 100,000 non-surgical fat reduction procedures have also been performed annually in the US, and the number is on the rise in the UK.
Whether addressing a double chin, excess abdominal fat, or persistent adipose tissue of the flanks (love handles), here are some of the most sought-after procedures at 111 Harley St. for removing stubborn fat without the need for diet or exercise.
Disclaimer: Before we begin, it is important to note that a healthy lifestyle is still required to maintain surgical and/or non-surgical results.
Surgical Fat Reduction
Liposuction is probably the most well-known fat removal procedure around the world, as it has been a trusted procedure for decades.
The idea of removing fat surgically from the body was first conceptualised in the 1920s by French surgeon Dr Charles Dujarier. In 1921, he performed a procedure intended to remove fat from a dancer’s legs. Unfortunately, the operation led to severe complications due to damage to blood vessels. However, it did set the stage for modern liposuction techniques used today.
It is also estimated that over 17 million people across the globe have had liposuction since its inception. Having said that, many are still under the impression that modern lipo techniques are designed to only remove abdominal fat. When, in actual fact, the procedure can remove stubborn fat instantly from the thighs, flanks, arms, as well as the lower face and neck, with incredible precision.
At 111 Harley St., we use VASER Lipo to sculpt and contour our patients’ silhouettes. Developed in the late 1990s by Dr William W. Cimino and colleagues, VASER lipo is a less invasive procedure than traditional liposuction. It is performed by our team of highly qualified and experienced medical professionals, and involves making small incisions in the skin and inserting a cannula to break down and remove fat using ultrasound technology.
The procedure can also be performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the treatment. And it has provided numerous of our patients with exemplary results, as it has the capability to sculpt and contour the body to the patient’s preferences too.
“My liposuction experience at Harley St. was excellent. They put me at ease after our first virtual consultation discussing the possibilities. The result is great and I’m so glad that I took the plunge and finally did it this summer!” – Patient
Recovery between traditional liposuction and VASER lipo also differs. VASER liposuction is often associated with less bruising and swelling, and many patients report a quicker recovery period. Plus, the procedure can also be combined with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or incorporated into a comprehensive “Mummy Makeover” to address multiple post-pregnancy concerns.
Most of our patients can expect to see a 40 to 70% reduction in fat volume in treated areas straight after surgery.
These outcomes, of course, also contribute to the procedure’s popularity.
Non-Surgical Fat Reduction
Fat-dissolving injections were introduced to the world in 2009 by Italian professor Dr Pasquale Motolese. These injections use a fat-targeting solution designed to address stubborn pockets of fat directly. Once injected, the solution begins to break down and dissolve unwanted fat cells, which are then naturally eliminated by the body through the lymphatic system.
They can be used in areas such as under the chin, above the knees, on the back, as well as around the abdomen, waist, and thighs. However, they cannot remove large amounts of fat. They are designed to treat small, localised pockets of fat to help sculpt and contour specific areas of the body.
Meaning, this makes them an excellent option for refining small areas of stubborn fat that do not respond to diet and exercise, providing subtle, beautiful, and natural-looking results. However, they are not suitable for significant fat reduction or substantial weight loss.
Our preferred fat-dissolving injection brand is Aqualyx, which contains a deoxycholate-based solution. A clinical study reported that up to 93.2% of patients experienced visible and satisfactory results following Aqualyx treatments. Another study focusing on fat deposits on the inner knees found that Aqualyx effectively reduced these fat pads, with 57.14% of patients expressing satisfaction with the outcomes.
Due to its non-surgical nature, patients do not require general anaesthesia, incisions, stitches, or an overnight hospital stay. This also means minimal downtime, with most patients able to return to their daily activities immediately afterwards.
Nutritional Services
Contrary to popular belief, eating well is not the same as dieting. And understanding the difference between what your body actually needs and what your mind perceives it needs is a common challenge many people face.
Many people struggle with weight gain (and thus, stubborn fat pockets) due to poor eating habits or binge eating. Supporting our patients through a holistic approach to weight loss is what we are passionate about. That is why we are proud to announce our newest collaboration with Dr Richie Barclay.
Dr Barclay is a fully accredited Nutrition and Exercise Physiology Consultant who specialises in delivering effective, long-lasting physical transformations. The nutrition service at 111 Harley St. with Dr Richie Barclay offers a comprehensive, personalised programme designed to optimise body composition, health, and overall wellbeing. It begins with an in-depth initial assessment of body composition, lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise habits, followed by a tailored strategy that may include meal planning, exercise guidance, and lifestyle recommendations.
The service is also supported by advanced diagnostic testing, including metabolic rate analysis, blood tests, gut microbiome and food sensitivity testing, and DEXA scans, to provide clear, data-driven insights into your health and body composition.
How 111 Harley St. Helps Support Your Body Goals
Our clinic is committed to helping patients achieve long-lasting results through in-depth consultations and fully customised treatment plans. Whether in the clinic or at home, our dedicated medical team is here to support you and provide the guidance you need at every stage.
We also place great importance on transparency. From answering your questions to sharing before-and-after images and providing clear pricing, we aim to ensure you feel fully informed. By the time you come in for your procedure, you will know exactly what to expect before, during, and after treatment.
Importantly, our commitment to your well-being extends beyond the procedure itself. We believe that ethical care means knowing when to say no. If a surgical intervention is not in your best interest, or if your goals can be achieved through simpler, non-surgical, or lifestyle-based approaches, we will tell you. This is not a sales consultation, it is a safeguarding conversation. Your trust is not assumed. It is earned through honesty, transparency, and a refusal to prioritise bookings over outcomes.
Your journey with us does not end when your treatment does. We consider every patient a partner in their own long-term outcome, and our team remains available to you for guidance, follow-up, and ongoing care long after you leave our clinic. That is our commitment to you.
