Does the fat come back after a liposuction procedure?
Suction assisted lipectomy - also known as liposuction - removes fatty deposits from different locations on the body. These treatments will have long-term effects. Liposuction produces near-immediate results, instantly removing unwanted body fat in isolated areas of the body to create the ideal silhouette. Even the fittest individuals often turn to liposuction to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat that are frequently unresponsive to diet and exercise.
However, weight loss alone is not permanent without lifestyle modifications. While the removed fat cells will not grow back, fat cells in other areas of the body may increase in size. This means that if a patient does not eat sensibly, fat may appear to ‘move’ to other non-treated locations on your body.
How does liposuction work?
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure where fat cells are selectively removed from specific areas, effectively allowing a plastic surgeon to reshape the body. In other words, it is a “fat removal” procedure, NOT a “weight loss” surgery. Liposuction can only target subcutaneous fat deposits, that is the fat between the skin and the underlying muscle. Fat deposits around internal organs, known as visceral fat, cannot be treated with this procedure.
The patient is usually under general anaesthesia during surgery. An incision is made near the targeted fat deposits and a small tube/curette is inserted to break off and suck out excess fat cells.
Can fat cells grow back after liposuction?
Beyond the initial dramatic results, many patients considering liposuction have concerns over longevity. In fact, one of the most common questions our practice receives concerning liposuction is "can fat return after my treatment?"
Unfortunately, it is possible for fat to return after liposuction... if you allow it to come back. In general, the more weight gained by a patient after liposuction, the less dramatic their results will be.
Fat will not return (and ideal results will remain intact) if the patient maintains their "post-lipo weight." If the patient gains a small amount of weight after their procedure, say 5 pounds, fat cells throughout the body will get a little bigger. While this slight weight gain can diminish results, the overall improved body shape provided by a liposuction procedure will still be visible as treated body areas have fewer fat cells (and thus experience a lower enlargement rate) compared to surrounding areas.
What to do to prevent future weight gains after liposuction
The key to maintaining your liposuction results hinges on practising healthy habits. Here are 6 healthy lifestyle changes to adopt following your procedure:
Follow all post-procedure instructions provided by your surgeon.
Reduce caloric intake while eating a healthy diet focused on protein and healthy carbohydrates.
Stay properly hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Try eating several smaller meals throughout the day.
Never skip meals.
Exercise regularly.
As with all surgical cosmetic procedures, you don’t want just anyone performing liposuction on you. Your results are going to depend on the skill, knowledge and experience of your plastic surgeon. The best way to make sure that you find a doctor who can deliver the results you want is to go with a board-certificate plastic surgeon. Pick your doctor, make the call, book a consultation, and get ready to have the body you have always wished for!