What If You Gain Weight After Liposuction?

You Can Gain Weight After Lipo

Liposuction involves the removal of fat from specific regions of the body through tiny incisions. After surgery, patients are told exactly how much fat the surgeon removed, and they can see which parts of the body are most improved. Patients who do not simultaneously consider their diet and activity levels however, might find it hard to keep from regaining pounds after this operation. Because it’s common for the returning weight to appear more diffusely throughout the body, patients must play an active role in their own liposuction recovery.

The New Weight Will Likely Accumulate More Evenly

Fat cells do not multiply in adults—they simply get bigger or smaller according to weight gain and loss. After fat cells are removed via liposuction, these areas are permanently flatter because there are fewer cells to expand and contract. In a typical procedure, many of the fat cells that were once in the abdomen, hips, or thighs are gone. If a patient gains some weight after liposuction, this new weight will accumulate more uniformly across the whole body so that the liposuction areas are more proportionately affected.

Patients may notice weight gain most in new areas such as the face, arms, back, or chest since the post-surgical sites are better-contoured. In contrast, if the same person gained weight before surgery, the fat would have disproportionately accumulated in the problem areas. While some patients may not object to more fullness in the face, buttocks or breasts, most do not want to regain the fat. Ultimately, liposuction is intended to be a targeted contouring strategy, and it is up to patients to control their weight.

Is Liposuction The Right Procedure For Your Long-Term Weight Goals?

Ideal candidates for liposuction have responsible eating habits, exercise regularly, and have specific anatomic areas that are full of fat. Once the fat is removed, these patients find long-lasting improvement in their shape and contour regardless of whether they add a few pounds in the future. Some individuals may be more suited for a tummy tuck to achieve their goals.

Experiencing Weight Gain After Your Lipo Treatment?

You are not alone and you have a number of options moving forward. We invite you to get in touch with Donaldson Plastic Surgery today. A trusted member of our team will answer your liposuction questions and give you all of your options that can help you achieve your goals!

About The Author

As an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Michelle Sieffert has become one of Columbus, Ohio’s most sought-after liposuction experts. She actively performs successful liposuction procedures at Knightsbridge Surgery Center, the Central Ohio Surgical Institute, and the Dublin Surgery Center in Dublin, Ohio.