Change in Metabolism and Habits

it is not unusal to see people gain weight after liposuction. This is usually because once they lose the excess fat, they let their guard down and don't watch their diet.

At times, changes in metabolism with aging also contributes to this weight gain. Some doctors believe that after weight loss by liposuction body tries to conserve energy and fat. At that point the best way to maintain weight is to increase your metabolism by increasing your activity level.

Liposuction or liposculpture reduces fat in problem areas.  At 2-3 months, stable patients get on the scale and see a few pounds missing.  Yet some patients notice that they have actually gained weight.

Why?

Immediately after surgery, swelling replaces where fat was removed.  This swelling, caused by leaky capillaries, consists primarily of water.  Once the swelling recedes, and they become more physically active, patients typically notice that their weight improves.  By nature, surgery causes soreness and patients are usually restricted from full workouts for a period of time after surgery.  This explains the weight gains often noticed immediately after surgery.

For weight gain that continues past this point, the patient has gained fat in their body.  Period.  Some patients will gain a false sense of confidence after their liposuction procedure.  Areas that they have monitored as their "alarm bell" are now much better.  They relax and allow their good eating and exercise habits to lapse.  By the time the usual alarm bell goes off again, they have gained ten pounds.

This underscores several points.  We all typically gain weight over time and gain fat and lose muscle.  This is normal human physiology.  As time passes, the effort and will power to remain "fit" increases.  Anybody who has been to a school reunion knows what happens to a classful of previously fit people.

Liposuction is not a weight loss tool.  It is to aid in losing fat from problem areas.  If anything, patients should plan on being more active and healthier about their eating habits after surgery than they were before.  One week in the gym watching their weight and a patient can lose weight perfectly, with no irregularities, much better than I can sculpt in the operating room.  Some of the worst results I have seen are from very wealthy people who think they can just suck out the fat and get many procedures done, each time developing a few more irregularities in the process.

This is not what people like to hear, I know.  But the rewards for healthy and restrained eating and regular exercise are great.

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There is a very simple relationship that describes metabolic equilibrium regarding body weight: Caloric Output must equal Caloric Intake.

Greater Caloric Intake than Caloric Expenditure = Weight Gain

Greater Caloric Expenditure than Caloric Intake = Weight Loss

Liposuction does not alter the equation in any way whatsoever.  It is simply a method of improving the cosmetic contours of the body silhouette.  Patients often think they have good eating habits, only to find that they gain weight after Liposuction.  The reason may not be limited to poor eating habits alone, but may also involve lack of sufficient exercise.

A consultation with a nutritionist to analyze your eating habits, as well as a regimen of exercise supervised by a personal trainer, may put you back on the proper track to maintaining the improvements your achieved with your Liposuction procedure.

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Your weight gain has nothing to do with your liposuction a year ago. You may be eating normal but your metabolism is evidently slowing down.

The best way to increase your metabolism is by regular exercising. Give this a try for several months. An alternative to increase your metabolism (only after you have tried to increase your exercising for months and reached a plateau) is with phentermine pills which your doc can prescribe. Some times a little help goes a long way. Having a supportive spouse or friend to exercise with and discuss dieting habits with or just encouragement and praise is also helpful. Eating 5 small meals a day instead of 3 medium-big meals helps curb binge eating and suppresses appetites also.

Good Luck,

David Hansen, MD

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Unexplained weight gain without an identifiable increase in caloric intake should prompt a consultation with a medical weight loss specialist who can organize a proper diet and exercise regimen.

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