Hi, I’m Dr. Devayani Barve (Mumbai). If you’ve dieted, worked out, and still have a lower tummy, soft arms, or a little under-chin fullness, you’re not alone. Many women tell me, “I lose weight from my face first, but my belly/arms/thighs don’t change!” That’s the heart of the “spot reduction” myth—doing one exercise or one diet to melt fat from one exact spot. Our bodies don’t work like that.
Why stubborn fat hangs on (especially in women)
- Genetics & hormones: Women naturally store more fat around the hips, thighs, and lower tummy. It’s a biological “saving account,” not a failure on your part.
- Every area behaves differently: Some zones give up fat easily; others are resistant.
- Weight loss is global, not local: When you lose weight, your body decides where it comes off first. That’s why your face may slim down while the lower belly or arms still feel soft.
So yes—weight loss alone can improve health and overall shape, but it cannot reliably “target” one spot. That’s why you might see:
- A lean face but belly/hip fat that won’t shift.
- An overall fit body but a soft lower tummy after pregnancy.
- Firm legs but flabby upper arms that don’t match the rest of you.
For these patterns, you need area-focused contouring that treats the actual tissue involved—fat, skin laxity, or both.
From Concern → To What Actually Helps (at my clinic)
1) “My lower tummy won’t flatten”
What’s going on: A small pocket of fat, loose skin after pregnancy/weight changes, or even a small muscle gap (diastasis).
What helps:
- Targeted Liposuction for stubborn fat.
- BodyTite (radiofrequency-assisted tightening) if skin also feels loose—this shrinks fat and tightens the “skin envelope” in the same sitting.
- Mini/Full Tummy Tuck only when there’s real extra skin or a muscle gap that exercise can’t fix.
- Morpheus8 (RF microneedling) later to improve crepey texture and firmness.
2) “My arms look flabby even though I work out”
What’s going on: Small fat pockets + thinner, lax skin on the back of the arms.
What helps:
- BodyTite (arms) to reduce fat and tighten skin for a sleeker sleeve line.
- Liposuction if volume is the main issue.
- Morpheus8 (body) to improve skin quality and fine crepe.
3) “My jawline is softer / I have under-chin fullness”
What’s going on: Early jowls, a tiny double chin, and mild skin laxity.
What helps:
- FaceTite / AccuTite to gently trim tiny fat pockets and tighten the jawline/neck.
- Submental Liposuction when fat is the main culprit.
- Morpheus8 (face/neck) to firm skin and refine texture.
4) “Everything’s fine—except that one bulge (bra-line, flanks, inner thighs)”
What’s going on: Localised, “genetic” pockets that ignore diet.
What helps:
- Liposuction for precise shaping.
- BodyTite if the skin there also feels a little loose, so the contour looks smooth, not deflated.
5) “My face looks sunken, but body fat is still there”
What’s going on: You’re losing facial volume faster than body pockets (very common).
What helps:
- Gentle Fat Grafting or Hyaluronic Fillers to restore natural fullness (no “pillow face”).
- Morpheus8 (face) on conservative settings to improve firmness without over-tightening.
Why these work (and “spot exercises” don’t)
- Exercises build/strengthen muscle, which is great—but they don’t choose which fat cell shrinks.
- Contouring treatments are precise: Liposuction removes fat from that exact area. InMode RF (BodyTite/FaceTite/AccuTite) melts small fat pockets and tightens skin at the same time. Morpheus8 boosts collagen and skin quality, so the result looks naturally smooth.
Important: These are contouring tools, not weight-loss methods. The best results come when your weight is stable and you live your normal healthy routine.
How I plan your treatment (simple, step-by-step)
- Examine the tissue: Is the problem mainly fat, skin laxity, or a muscle gap?
- Choose the right tool:
- Fat focus: Liposuction (small entry points, shapely results).
- Fat + loose skin: BodyTite/FaceTite/AccuTite (tighten + defattrim).
- Skin quality/crepe: Morpheus8 (face or body).
- Extra skin/diastasis: Mini/Full Tummy Tuck (when truly indicated).
- Sequence smartly: Debulk (if needed) → tighten → polish (texture).
- Keep it natural: The goal is proportion—clothes fit better, lines look cleaner, you still look like you.
What to expect
Most contouring procedures are day-care with tiny access points where required. You can expect light social downtime, a short compression garment period for certain body areas, and results that improve over weeks to months as swelling settles and collagen tightens. We’ll discuss comfort options, after-care, and realistic timelines in detail.
A gentle reality check—and an invitation
“Spot reduction” by exercise isn’t real. But spot contouring is—when it’s chosen thoughtfully and done safely. If the mirror shows one or two areas that don’t match the rest of you, that’s not a flaw; it’s simply how bodies store fat.
If you’d like a private, unhurried consultation in Mumbai, I’ll examine, explain, and design the least-invasive plan that actually solves your concern—sometimes one device, sometimes a smart combination, sometimes just good advice for later.Proportion, not perfection. That’s how results look natural—and how you feel comfortably, confidentlyyou.