Can Fat Return after Liposuction?

Liposuction continues to be one of most popular plastic surgery procedures today. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 246,354 liposuction procedures were performed in 2017, a 5 percent increase over the previous year.

Every year, San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Carlos Chacon meets with countless individuals who are interested in sculpting their physique with liposuction. Many of them have questions about how long will their results will last and whether fat can return after liposuction. Here, Dr. Chacon discusses this topic in detail.

Liposuction Permanently Removes Fat

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure designed to remove fat cells from a localized area of the body. It is commonly used to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat from the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, upper arms, back, knees, face and chest area. Traditional liposuction involves using a thin tube (called a cannula) to break up fatty tissue and gently suction it out of the body. Once the fatty tissue is removed, the body cannot generate new fat cells. This results in permanent fat reduction.

This said, it is possible for fat to return to the treated areas. Gaining a considerable amount of weight (e.g., 10 percent of overall body weight) can cause the fat cells throughout the body, including those remaining in the treated area, to enlarge. But because there will be fewer fat cells stored in the treated area, it is less likely to store fat there. Instead, any weight gained after liposuction will be more evenly distributed throughout the body.

How much of your liposuction results are affected by future weight gain depends on the amount gained. While gaining five pounds won’t likely alter your overall results, gaining much more than that can. Thus the best way to prolong your liposuction results is to maintain a healthy and stable weight.

Maintaining Your Liposuction Results

You can maintain your slimmer and more sculpted physique by adopting the following healthy lifestyle habits:

• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Avoid crash or fad diets
• Practice portion control
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Exercise at least three to four times a week
• Don’t smoke or drink in excess

Schedule a Liposuction Consultation

Are you interested in learning more about liposuction? Dr. Chacon will gladly meet with you to discuss the procedure in detail. Contact Divino Plastic Surgery by calling (858) 633-7546 or emailing our office today.