Is Liposuction Permanent?

Liposuction is the second-most popular plastic surgery in the US with nearly 250,000 procedures performed in 2017. There’s a good reason why liposuction is so popular – it delivers almost immediate results by removing stubborn fat deposits that diet and exercise leave untouched.

Despite the quick initial results, you may be concerned about the longevity of this procedure. Learn more about the permanence of liposuction and how to prevent fat from returning.

Liposuction Permanently Removes Fat Cells

All variations of liposuction focus on a single goal – permanently remove fat cells from the treatment area. The fat that is suctioned from your body will never grow back on its own.

Fat Can Return – If You Let It

Weight gain reduces the results of liposuction, but fat won’t return if you maintain your post-liposuction weight. For instance, if you weighed 140 pounds before the procedure and had 6 pounds of fat removed, it won’t return if you keep your weight at 134 pounds or less from now on. Still, rest assured that liposuction helps your body retain a desirable shape even if you experience a little weight gain following the procedure.

Consider that putting on 5 or 10 pounds causes the fat cells throughout your body to enlarge slightly. Remember, the treated parts of your body have fewer fat cells now, so they experience a lower enlargement rate than surrounding areas. As a result, patients who gain weight post-procedure still tend to look better than if they had not undergone liposuction.

How to Extend the Effects of Liposuction

Everyone who has surgery to improve the appearance of their body wants the results to last. The most effective way to maintain your new shape is to avoid weight gain. Here’s how:

• Follow post-op instructions: You’ll recover faster and see results sooner if you follow your surgeon’s advice. This may include wearing compression garments, resting and avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that could increase bleeding.
• Stay hydrated: Drink more water than usual immediately after liposuction to prevent dehydration that may result from swelling.
• Eat healthy food: You may resume your usual diet immediately if you had liposuction by local anesthesia. Strive to adopt a healthy diet to help you maintain your post-op weight.
• Eat smaller meals throughout the day: This technique is an effective tool some patients use to help keep their metabolism up and reduce the chance of weight gain after liposuction.
• Don’t skip meals: While you may need to reduce your caloric intake to sustain the results of liposuction, don’t resort to skipping meals.
• Exercise regularly: After two to four days of rest and light activity, you may start to resume 25 percent of your normal workout routine. Gradually increase your daily activity level as your body allows. Then, make exercise a regular part of your routine.

To learn more about trimming away body fat safely with liposuction, please schedule a consultation at Texas Center for Breast and Body in Houston today.