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Weight Gain After Liposuction

After I had Liposuction surgery done a year ago, I feel I've been constantly gaining weight. I hardly have any bad eating habits, so I don't understand the weight gain after Liposuction. Why is this happening, and what can I do about it?

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26 Doctor Answers | Asked by lklugirl in hawthorne california

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Weight vs. liposuction

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... more

Liposuction has nothing to do with your weight. Liposuction deals with weight distribution.

If you are gaining weight, you are violating the equation of stable weight: metabolism (exercize) equals oral intake. If you are eating too much or slowing your metabolism, then weight will increase. A few tricks to losing weight. Exercize: Cardiovascular exercize is good for your health but not best for weight loss. With little time in a busy day, always start by building muscle mass. Muscle burns more calories than other parts of your body and will burn them day and night. Best muscle... more

Liposuction is not a license to eat

This is something that I tell all of my liposuction patients. Patients tend to view it as such without even knowing it. Areas that were previously the most noticeable for them are much smaller after liposuction. This gives patients a sense that even though they are eating more they are not gaining weight because the liposuctioned previously more noticeable areas are the last to show the weight gain. Get to the gym and protect the investment that you have made in your body. Good luck!... more

Weight gain is unrelated to liposuction.

To iklugirl, Liposuction is good for improving shape. Unwanted bulges are removed and contour is enhanced. And the improvement in SHAPE should very long lasting. That means the localized bulges should not come back. But this does not affect your overall size and weight. Unfortunately, if you eat more calories than your body needs and if you don't exercise enough, then weight will accumulate. One thing is sure: the liposuction that you had is not causing your weight gain. Hope this is... more

Weight gain after liposuction

There are only two reasons that weight gain occurs after liposuction.The most common reason is that you simply take in more calories than you burn up with normal daily activity and exercise. Most patients love the way they look after their liposuction and get complacent in their eating habits. You state that has not happened in your case. If so, the only other reason to gain weight is to gain muscle mass through diligent exercise training. In this case your clothes should fit you... more

Weight gain after liposuction

I recommend to all my Cleveland liposuction patients that they keep a food diary following their liposuction procedures. Why? Because it's so easy, once thinner, to ignore the basics and find, like you, that a year later they've gained weight. Remember, liposuction isn't a weight loss method; it's a "redistribution" method. Just because it removes fat cells from one area doesn't mean you will never gain weight again. To your health & beauty, Dr. Paul Vanek, Double Board... more

Weight gain after liposuction

Your weight gain after your liposuction procedure is unfortunate, but likely unrelated to your surgery. Liposuction, as you know, is not a weight loss operation and is used instead to sculpt and reduce fat in areas of problematic fat accumulation. While you can have some weight fluctuations immediately following liposuction as the fluid used in the procedure absorbs and then gets excreted, long term weight fluctuations are uncommon following liposuction. My recommendation to... more

Weight Gain After Liposuction

Liposuction is a contouring procedure not a weight loss instrument. That being said, some patients will lose a tremendous amount of fat and thus will weigh less. After a few months swelling has been reduced and you should not be gaining any weight unless you have given up exercise or overeating.

Stopped exercising or any regular physical activity leads to Weight Gain after Liposuction

Have you stopped exercising or any regular physical activity thinking that Liposuction has solved any weight problems you may have experienced? Depending on how much fat was removed, and which areas. Start exercicing again and control your weight regularly under a doctor's supervision.

Weight gain after liposuction.

This is a very good question, and I think one that will really benefit a lot of the post operative patients and prospective liposuction patient. The way to look at liposuction is really a sculpting procedure that is suppose to improve those fat deposits that have been resistant to exercise. It is a great procedure and produces wonderful results, and helps patients extenuate their curves. Nevertheless, the reality is that the remaining fat cells will still gain weight if we do not... more

Weight gain one year after liposuction

Unfortunately, I have news for you that you may not want to hear. Physiologically, the liposuction has nothing to do with your weight gain after the swelling subsides (a few weeks). Emotionally, it may have a lot to do with it, however. It is not a free pass to eat more. To begin with, many people, both men and woman, gain weight year after year after their active years, and liposuction may be a disincentive to keep the weight off. Liposuction works and it doesn't affect your... more

Weight Gain after Liposuction?

Thank you for the question. Weight gain is related to an imbalance between caloric intake and calories burned, unless there is a medical reason (such as hypothyroidism or diabetes) to explain the weight gain. The liposuction procedure itself cannot be blamed. Best wishes.

Weight gain after body contouring surgery

Dear Lklugirl, I don't know of any good metabolic reason that you would be gaining weight after liposuction. I would rather think it is related to the normal metabolic changes associated with getting older or possibly you relaxed your diet / exercise regime a bit after the surgery. One thing I am certain of it that weight change will negatively impact the results of your liposuction surgery. It's not the answer you want to hear, but I would suggest increasing your exercise program and... more

Output Must Equal Intake

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... more

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.

Get back to the gym after liposuction

Weight gain after liposuction is not uncommon during the initial post-op period. However, by one year, you should not be having this problem unless you are eating excessively and/or not exercising. It is really simple math: too much in and not enough exercise to match those extra calories will lead to increase weight.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Weight gain and liposuction

Liposuction is targeted and permanent removal of fat cells. Once those fat cells are removed they do not grow back. That is not to say that after someone receives liposuction they cannot gain weight or have the area that was improved by lipo get worse. There is no connection from a physiologic standpoint between the removal of fat cells and weight gain a year later. What is more likely is that the weight gain is because of the things that cause all of us to gain weight: Not enough... more

Liposuction and Weight Changes

If Liposuction or Liposelection ( Ultrasonic/Vaser) is done to address undesireable deposited fat which is resistant to diet and exercise, patienr would look more shaped and sligthly ligther. It takes 2-3 months to appreciate the results. Gaining weight is not by any means related or connected to liposuction. Occasinally some patients change their life style by stop dieting and exercising hoping that they will not gain weight after liposuction which is an unrealistic expectation. more

Weight Fluctuations after Liposuction

Initially liposuction takes away fat and then you have some swelling and fluid in the areas that were suctioned. After a few months a patient may notice a loss of weight but some notice an increase in weight. Studies have shown that just as regular weight loss patients must eat healthy and exercise to maintain a desired weight loss so must postop liposuction patients. Usually there is some soreness and restriction of activity after liposuction and that adds to the problem... more

Weight Gain After Liposuction

Weight gain is frequently noted 2 -3 months after surgery due to swelling still being present. A year later suggests that either your metabolism is slowing or your eating habits have changed. Go for a physical with an internist who can possibly provide you with some guidance. Remain focused on good eating habits and exercise as well.

Weight Gain Post-Liposuction

Weight gain after liposuction can be narrowed down based on how long it has been since your surgery. If you are still within the first 2-3 months of recovery, you are still experiencing swelling. This means that the areas where fat was removed have filled with fluid that may be heavier than the fat that it replaced. The fact that you are a year out means quite simply you have gained weight by either a combination of relative factors—too many calories going in and not enough going... more

Weight gain post liposuction.

Gaining a few pounds immediately after liposuction is common. However, after a year post surgery this is not something I would consider common. Be sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercising and eating a healthy diet in order to maintain the best results.

Weight Gain After Liposuction

There is no reason that you would gain weight after liposuction that is related to the procedure itself.

Liposuction and Weight Gain

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.

Weight gain after Liposuction

You can certainly gain or lose weight following liposuction. However neither is directly related to the surgery. There must be some other reason ( metabolic, increased caloric intake, lack of exercise). The thing that you should notice is a more evenly distribution of the weight gain rather than localizing more in the area or areas treated with liposuction.

The key is increasing your exercising.

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... more