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Does Liposuction Make You Lose Weight?

I am thinking about having liposuction around my stomach, lovehandles and thighs. Will I lose weight or just get a bit smaller? Overall, I am happy with my figure, but I have always had an extra 20 pounds that I haven't been able to lose through diet or exercise. Will liposuction accomplish this?

Asked 36 months ago by star12345 in Toronto, Canada
Sort 12 expert answers by:
+2

Liposuction is not for weight loss

Liposuction is for targeted fat loss to improve contour. It is not designed for weight loss and can make your appearance worse if you are outside of your ideal bodyweight. Liposuction will not change your weight significantly. Liposuction can also increase the amount of loose skin in patients that are above their ideal bodyweight. I hope this helps.
Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is for sculpting, not weight loss

Liposuction is definitely not a weight loss procedure. Liposuction is a body contouring tool, not a weight loss tool. As such, it rarely results in any significant weight loss although it does significantly change the contours of one's body and, in many cases, how one's clothes fit. For instance, liposuction in a male's waistline area may result in a 1-3 inch decrease in waist/belt size. Liposuction results are best on someone who has achieved their goal weight but has some "trouble... more
Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Most patients lose little weight as Lipo is sculpting

Hello, Liposuction is a sculpting procedure. It makes you "thinner" as long as there is fat to remove, but weight loss is uncommon. Even large volume lipo patients tend to put the weight back on. If properly selected, at least some of the benefits of the "thinning" remain, however. If you think "sculpting" and maintain a relatively steady weight, you should be in the best shape. Best Regards.
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction and Weight Loss

Liposuction is more about sculpting and is not designed to help with weight loss.  Even with 5 liters of liposuction, patients will only lose a few pounds. Therefore, you will not lose the 20 lbs, but your shape will be much better.
Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

You'll only lose a few ounces from liposuction

Star12345: Liposuction removes localized excess fat fairly well. Patients look better because of how it changes the contour of the treated areas. Fat is bulky, but not very dense. Therefore, small changes in body weight occur when liposuction is done. Liposuction really won't help you loose much weight. Don't do it for weight loss. Hope this helps.
Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is a contouring procedure

I would not look at weight to determine if you are a candidate for liposuction. In fact, I would not even think of liposuction since that is just a tool we have for removing fat. First, I would have you look at your lifestyle (i.e. diet, exercise, habits, , etc.). You should optimize your lifestyle as much as possible. Each person will have a different body contour at their ideal healthy and stable lifestyle. Then you can look at specific body features and determine what if anything you... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is not about weight reduction, but sculpting

Dear Star12345, Let's get real. What you weigh boils down to two things that are hard to control: How much you eat and how much you metabolize. Change either of these things and you change how much fat is on your body. Unfortunately, what happens to most of us is we eat too much and don't exercise enough. The result is unwanted weight gain. Liposuction does absolutely nothing about this equation. Unless you change what you eat or the amount of exercise you do, you will regain every... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

If you are happy with your figure, DON'T have liposuction.

To start12345, Hi! Of course you remove a few pounds with liposuction. But this is incidental. The purpose of liposuction is to remove bulges and improve contour. So I am afraid there is no easy answer for you. You need to slowly and gradually reduce your caloric intake (diets don't work; small portions of leafy vegetables are the key), and you need at least 4 hours of aerobic (sweating) exercise a week. Ouch!
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. If you expect to come out from surgery 20 lbs lighter, then you will be disappointed. Liposuction is used as a body contouring procedure to hit areas that one has not been able to work on with diet and exercise. Ideally, Liposuction should be performed on patients at their ideal body weight or close to it. Hope that helps.
Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is about shaping and contouring

Like Michelangelo's sculpture, David, liposuction is all about the shape and contour you leave behind. 500 years later, skilled plastic surgeons understand this (see these other excellent replies). We're just trying to end up with a good shape, and aren't too worried about how much the marble on the floor weighs. While you MIGHT see your weight change later, the priority and only reasonable expectation is to have the contour improve. It is a sculpting procedure, not a means to achieve... more
Brian K. Brzowski, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is not for weight loss

The proper patient for liposuction has done all they can with diet and exercise, has goone skin elasticity and a few very specific areas of fat excess that are resistent. It is for contouring of these areas and not for any significant amount of weight loss. 20 pounds is within your reach, just re-evaluate what you are eating and step up the exercise a little bit.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

NO!

The short answer is no! Liposuction is great for body sculpturing. Removal of fat from areas like the hips ,flanks etc.. Liposuction should not be used to loose weight. The society recommendation is to stay within 5 liters of lipoaspirate. Together with using a tumescent technique ,this will keep you safe.Hope that helps!
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
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