Liposuction before pregnancy?

I always hear of people getting liposuction to get their body back after having a baby, but what about if you want the lipo before the baby?  Is liposuction advised for someone who is planning to have a baby in the next 1-2 yrs?

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15 answers to “Liposuction before pregnancy?”

A: Liposuction is performed in many patients prior to childbirth

Sanjay Grover, MD

Liposuction can be performed in women prior to childbirth or following childbirth.  Patients who are good candidates for liposuction have isolated areas of stubborn "pockets" of fatty tissue that is resistant to exercise.  Patients that achieve the best results have excellent skin... more

A: Liposuction before pregnancy

Brent Moelleken, MD

There are no known ill effects on the baby in patients who have undergone liposuction before becoming pregnant. The decision is entirely up to the patient. After having all their children, many women opt to have their abdomens and breasts restored; the decision to have liposuction before pregnancy doesn't... more

A: It's entirely up to you

Richard P. Rand, MD

Even though you are planning to get pregnant in 1-2 years, there is no certainty that this will happen.  IF you would be happier NOW with your body after liposuction, you should go ahead and do it.  It would have no bearing on pregnancy.  You might need something after you are done having... more

A: Wait....

Andrew J.L. Gear, MD

While there is no contraindication to having liposuction before pregnancy, waiting is a more logical thing to do.  Pregnancy can create changes in your skin, muscle fascia, and fat, and these changes will potentially effect what procedure will contour your shape most appropriately. ... more

A: There is no contra-indication to liposuction

David Shafer, MD

Gblu, There is no contra-indication to liposuction if you are planning on becoming pregnant in the next year or so. The procedures that patients typically have after having a baby have more to do with correcting the loose skin and stretch marks. These usually involves an abdominoplasty. If you have... more

A: Liposuction now - Why not?

Linda Swanson, MD

If you have areas of concern that are resistant to diet and exercise, I think it is a good idea.  It will make losing the baby weight a little easier, since those fat deposits will be eliminated.  Of course, it is always important to discuss possible future pregnany with your plastic... more

A: SURE, have it and look good Now. It will make trying to get pregnant more fun!

David Hansen, MD

There are no negative consequences to having liposuction now and getting pregnant 1-2 yrs later.   There are actually a few good reasons to do it now.  One is that the fat cells we remove are gone for good so if you later gain weight from the pregnancy, which you will, then you won't gain as... more

A: It is OK to have liposuction before pregnancy.

George J. Beraka, MD

Liposuction is good for treating localized bulges (typically in the thighs) and the results are very long lasting. You will put on weight during your pregnancy, but the bulges do not come back. I have seen several women go through liposuction followed by pregnancy. Some lost all the weight after the... more

A: Deciding to have liposuction should be based on whether you have appropriate fat bulges

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD

The decision to under go liposuction should be based on whether you have the areas of fat bulges that are appropriately handled by liposuction. You should be able to draw the area of concern with your surgeon and determine whether it is a good choice. I don't feel that whether you are planing on children later... more

A: Either way can work quite well

Shahram Salemy, MD

There are many women who choose to have liposuction before starting a family and they do just fine. You should anticipate that whether or not you have the procedure before a pregnancy, the pregnancy is likely to change your body significantly, and you may very well wish to have a cosmetic procedure... more

Comments

Skeet
unregistered guest

1 Jan 2009

I had lipo on my arms and stomach about 1 year pre pregnancy. In my opinion this was a great way to go because it helped me keep my pregnancy weight gain down. I think *excess weight* - beyond the normal 10-12kgs - is the main cause of loose skin and stretch marks caused by pregnancy. The female body is actually well designed to recover from pregnancy if you are healthy, watch your diet and exercise regularly. But if you gain an extra 10 kgs during pregnancy then your body and will stretch and your skin might sag, just like it would if you gained 10 kgs without being pregnant (except more so because your skin and muscles are already being stretched from the pregnancy). If you stick to a healthy pregnancy weight gain, your body should be able to cope with the stretching and return to its pre-pregnancy shape with the help of a little gentle toning exercises. Because I got my stomach done, I didn't gain extra weight there and my tummy bounced back to its pre-preg shape really quickly. If you eat healthy, keep up your exercise and watch your weight gain, you wont lose the results of the lipo. Make sure you do the post baby core strength exercises to help pull your stomach muscles back together and you'll be fine. Of course your experience might be different but that's how it was for me. I'm 5'3 130 pounds, had about 1800ccs of fat removed all together and gained 12 kgs (26 pounds) with my pregnancy. I also breastfed my baby which I think is an important part of post pregnancy weight loss and getting your stomach back to it's original shape.

gcirami
7 posts
22 Nov 2008

Many people have inherited fat pockets or bulges which will probably increase in size during the weight gain of a pregnancy, and may stretch the skin, making the lipo after not quite as smooth and tight as expected.  If the fat cells are removed before the weight gain you should find that after the baby is born you will not have those areas that were liposuctioned a problem.  Of course if you decide to gain 60 lbs, there are no guarantees!  I have had patients at both ends, before and after and as with all people, everyone is different.  I think the only surgery that is really affected by pregnancy is an abdominoplasty, when the muscles are tightened and excess skin is removed.  That is definitely for the "mommy makeover" phase of life!  Good luck,  I am sure you will be great either way!

fraujoolie
unregistered guest

11 May 2009

I went in for a consultation for SmartLipo, and was advised to wait. I appreciated their candid advice, seeing as they'd rather have my $$ now, right? The consultant said that if I planned on having a baby in the next few years, to wait. I might undo all the tightening effects of SmartLipo with the stretching of the pregnancy. I have one baby (14 months old), and plan on having another in the next year or two. She said to wait, so my advice to you, is to also wait, if you plan on kids in the next few years. You don't want to pay for the procedure twice!!

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