How Can You Maintain the Best Results Possible from Liposuction?

Women and men alike often wonder whether fat can come back after they’ve had liposuction. In the experience of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Unger in Nashville, cosmetic surgery patients seeking fat reduction procedures are typically very interested in learning the longevity of their results—and for good reason. Liposuction is an investment, and anyone who achieves slimmer contours and a leaner appearance naturally wants to know that the look will last.

Here’s the short answer to the question of liposuction results: Fat that has been removed surgically with liposuction cannot come back.

Liposuction is a highly effective, well-practiced method of reducing resistant pockets of fat in various areas of the body. The surgery can be life-changing for many individuals thanks to its ability to boost their confidence and help them to feel happier about the way they look.

For the procedure itself, fat is literally removed from beneath the skin via tools designed to first loosen or break up the unwanted fat cells, then to suction them from the body. Patients who want to reshape their body will often seek out this method since they may be unable to tone up stubborn problem areas that are unresponsive to diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes.

Unfortunately, a misconception some people have is that after liposuction, they will be able to return to bad habits that contributed to the problem of excess fat in the first place. One of the major benefits of the cosmetic procedure is that the fat cells are removed for good. However, if you engage in overeating or a sedentary lifestyle after you have this form of surgery, you could end up reversing the results, so it’s best to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

New weight gain means any of the fat cells throughout the body—including those left behind after liposuction—could get larger. It’s up to the patient to take good care of themselves to ensure that the results last.

If you’re considering liposuction to get a slimmer, more contoured body, continue reading for some of the best ways to preserve your results from this procedure.

Maintain Your Post-Lipo Weight

As mentioned above, even though fat cells are removed with liposuction, the remaining fat cells can still continue to store fat and grow larger. If you gain a significant amount of weight after liposuction, your results will look much less impressive. Therefore, to maintain the optimal results, you will need to stay at your “post-lipo weight,” which is the number on the scale after you have lost a few pounds through liposuction. If a patient gains a small amount of weight, the remaining fat cells can become larger—although the overall enhanced body shape from liposuction would still be noticeable because there are fewer fat cells in the treated areas compared to surrounding areas. That means even if you gain a large amount of weight, it’s likely that you’ll still look better than you would have if you had never had liposuction.

Follow Your Surgeon’s Post-Procedure Guidelines

Liposuction requires care and attention to ensure a proper recovery. To optimize your recovery experience, it’s best to know what the surgery and post-surgical period involves and to maintain realistic expectations. There are certain things that patients will need to do to promote healing processes in the body, such as eating well, getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, going for short walks, and getting help with daily activities or errands around the house.

Exercise Regularly

You’ll need to avoid heavy exercise in the post-operative period when you’re recovering, but you should go for regular walks in the following days and weeks to reduce the risk of blood clots and other complications. Light walks will also help you to heal at a faster rate. Your surgeon will give you approval to resume your exercise routine after you’ve completely healed from liposuction.

Eat Healthy

Combine your exercise routine with a healthy diet. Limit your intake of refined sugars, simple carbohydrates, and saturated fats. Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated will also be important.  

Want more advice about surgical fat reduction? Contact Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute if you have questions about liposuction or other procedures to enhance the face or body. Call 615.932.7700, or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.