Liposuction Results

What kind of results can I expect from liposuction? Can I lose inches from the waist or thigh areas? I know they say you can only lose a few pounds through lipo, but I don't know how that translates to the body -- is my belly pooch a few pounds?

What are the typical results?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Jen G

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Liposuction results

The best answer or advise is to see in person a boarded plastic surgeon in your area. At the visit you will see photographic examples of results than you can determine if liposuction is for you. Regards.

Liposuction can cause a decrease in circumference

When liposuction is performed, you see the fat leaving via a tube. As fat is removed, the vertical height that is reduced on profile might be rather significant, especially when the swelling goes away. The circumference does not lose the same number of inch reduction because it is a circular line around the body that varies similar to a circumference being more than three times (pi, the mathematical figure) the diameter. So if the diameter of the circle decreases (by losing volume of fat... more

Results from Liposuctioning

Liposuctioning is not a weight loss procedure, it is a body contouring procedure. Although most patients lose weight it is designed to reshape of defat. The limiting factors in the results are the amount and looseness of the skin and the ability of the skin to contract. It is very important to be realistic about what can be done and what the positives and negatives are regarding liposuctioning.

Liposuction changes your shape.

It is not so much about inches or pounds, but changing your shape. For example, if you have excess fat in your thighs and are "pear-shaped", after liposuction you will be "apple-shaped". Look at before/after photos to see examples of this on web sites of surgeons in your area.

Toby Mayer, MD

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Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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Liposuction is for reshaping, not weight loss

In order to get a realistic answer to your question you would need to see a plastic surgeon, but here are a few general guidelines. Fat cells are genetically "programmed" to behave differently in different parts of the body, as though some of it is for emergency reserves. The fat in these areas is very resistant to change with diet and exercise, so by removing them with liposuction the body can be permanently reshaped. The one caveat is that if you have, say, 3 areas like this,... more

You can lose inches with liposuction.

Hi. It's the inches that matter for a great liposuction result, not so much the number of pounds removed. Look at pictures on RealSelf and on my website. We often get dramatic results.

Formula for translating inches lost with liposuction

The typical abdominal panniculus removed during routine tummy tucks in an ideal candidate rarely weighs over 2-3 pounds. Unfortunately there is no formula to translate lost weight into inches reduced. Many other factors go into determining your clothe's size and this includes your bone structure which will not be effected by liposuction surgery.