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Liposuction and Unstable Weight

Hi, I'm 26 years old, with a BMI of 26. Weight often flucuates 50 pounds. I'm unhealthy and I'm trying to get back to 116 but still would have lovehandles. Given the instability, is liposuction right? And because of the likelihood that I'll lose a lot after surgery but gain it back, should I have surgery after weightloss or before? I've read if you gain much after lipo, fat appears in new places.

What happens if you drop alot after surgery? Do you lose the sculpting the doctor created? If not, isn't it sensible to get the lipo while you're still overweight as an insurance policy against future weight gain? Then would it come back funny or simply return to the form doctor created?

Asked 24 months ago by KWilliamson in NY,NY

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Liposuction and weight issues

The answer to your complex question is simple. Only do the liposuction after you have lost the weight and kept it down for many months. Liposuction is surgery and has risks and should only be done when it will be of significant benefit to you. If your weight fluctuates widely, liposuction has no value. The most unhappy liposuction patients are the ones who come in after surgery having gained weight wondering why their result isn't great. This is very frustrating for the patient and the... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Weight loss and Liposuction

You have asked an excellent question! The final answer depends on your skin tone. If you have normal skin tone and elasticity, and the weight loss or gain is gradual, your skin will retract and expand with the weight change. However, if you are going to spend several thousand dollars, why take any chances? My recommendation is to lose the weight you want first and then try to find a game plan to keep your weight stable. Once you have proven to yourself you can keep your weight relatively... more

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD

Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

You need stability for Liposuction

Dear KWilliamson, First and foremost you need to develop a plan achieve a healthy lifestyle and stable weight. Find a primary care physician to help you if necessary. Liposuction is not a weight loss solution! Liposuction is the last thing you should worry about at this time. GET HEALTHY! Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Liposuction and weight loss

It is always better to have liposuction when your weight is stable. Yes, if you gain weight after liposuction it may appear in other areas. I would say have it when your weight is close to your goal weight.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Liposuction and Weight Loss

The best thing to do is to make sure you are stable at your weight. What you dont want is to have the liposuction and then you gain weight and most likely the nice results that you have would have been jeopardized. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Love handles better after liposuction independent of weight.

Hi. 1) As you can see, there is a lot of confusion on this topic. Telling you that you need to have long term ideal weight before liposuction is just saying that you will not be helped by liposuction. I don't agree. 2) Here are a few facts. After adolescence, the NUMBER of fat cells in the body is stable. When you gain weight, the same number of fat cells get bigger. And vice versa. 3) When a few million fat cells are removed with... more

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Weight gain or loss before or after liposuction

Achieve a stable and realistically maintainable weight and only then proceed with liposuciton to treat the problem or diet resistant areas. IF you undergo liposuction and gain the weight back you may be terribly disappointed, experience disproportionate fullness in certain areas, not to mention the expense.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Liposuction with fluctuating weight: advantages & limitations

Liposuction should be considered as a contouring procedure, for example if your thighs bulge to the side at the top of the leg and we suction this area, the contour of the thigh will become straight instead of like an S. This allows for ongoing weight loss or gain with the new shape. In other words, your thigh circumference will increase or decrease with weight fluctuations but you will not regain the bulge. One thing to think about is that the liposuction is a closed procedure and... more

Kimberley O'Sullivan, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

Yoyo weight and liposuction

Your best bet is to get to the weight you want to be and stay there for one year. Once you have convinced yourself that you can stay at that weight consult a plastic surgeon about body contouring. All the concerns and questions you have are compounded by the lack of weight stability. It is much wiser for you to deal with the weight than to attempt any type of liposuctioning.

John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Liposuction

You are honest to mention the swings in your weight, a rather substantial up and down of 50 pounds. Liposuction, as all surgical procedures, has some risks. Don't subject yourself to an elective cosmetic procedure if you can't protect your investment. Commit yourself to becoming healthier by watching your calories, eating the right food and exercising. You may wish to see a nutritionist, they can help set goals for you and make it easier to eat right. Then you'll be healthier and heal... more

Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

Timing of body contouring

The ideal time is when you have achieved a healthy, stable lifestyle. It sounds as if this does not apply to you since you are neither healthy, from your own assessment, nor stable, from your history of wide fluctuations in your weight. I usually recommend that patient focus on the lifestyle and not the weight since people can be at widely different weights depending on their body type and genetics. Perhaps you need to forget about a target weight and find out why your lifestyle (diet,... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Liposuction is a not a weight loss adjunct

Your question is a fairly common question and situation experienced by many. Liposuction is not a weight loss adjunct, but a tool designed to help you lose specific "fat pockets" or help contour those specific body areas that you're concerned about. It should be performed in patients who are at their ideal weight. If not, you'll never achieve your desired appearance, and potentially expose yourself to the complications from any operation. Do your best to get down to a stable weight... more