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What Should I Do if I Still Look Fat After Liposuction?

i did liposuction about 6mths ago... but i still look fat even if i exercise regularly... is there something else i can do? should i do another liposuction again?

Asked 42 months ago by mary777 in singapore
Sort 17 expert answers by:
+2

If you are large, then multiple liposuctions may be needed.

Large patients may need several liposuctions to reduce the areas significantly.  Talk to your doc and discuss your desires with him.  It is not uncommon to do staged procedures to get to your end point.  Sincerely, David Hansen,MD
David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+4

Liposuction is all about technique and patient expectations

It would be interesting to see some pre- and post-operative photos, and to learn what your expectations of the result of your liposuction procedure were - before you had the surgery. It may be that your surgeon undertreated your contour abnormalities. Surgical results will vary based on your own tissues, the skill of the surgeon and the modality of liposuction that was used. It might also be the case that your own expectations of the surgical result with liposuction were not... more
Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

For the best liposuction results, have it when able to maintain steady diet and exercise

For the very best results from liposuction, this procedure should be performed when you are able to maintain a steady pattern of healthy diet and exercise. In other words, it is best not to do this procedure when you’re at your lowest weight ever. Instead, the procedure should be performed when you are at a stable weight, with diet and exercise patterns that you know you will be able to maintain consistently. If this is the case, you are unlikely to ever gain a disproportionate... more
Michael R. Macdonald, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is not a weight reduction procedure.

Liposuction will not make fat people thin.  It is for changing contour.  5 liters of liposuction, which is considered a massive amount, is less than 10 pounds.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction helps shape contours.

Liposuction helps to shape your contour.  The best candidates for liposuction are those that have localized pockets of fat in excess of other areas.  If you have generalized obesity before liposuction then it is generally hard to notice a significant difference.
Richard H. Fryer, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Body fat after liposuction

Liposuction results depend on weight characteristics and surgical technique.  It is important to maintain a natural contour with liposuction, rather than absolute body fat. Speak to your surgeon about redo liposuction and combine this with diet and exercise. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction in stages

Sometimes liposuction needs to be done in stages. Liposuction is used to remove small fat deposits as well as contouring the body. Most people mistake this procedure for the easy way out of diet and exercise. I would recommend to consult with your plastic surgeon to see if you need another stage of liposuction.
Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Still "look fat" after liposuction?

Liposuction removes excess fat.  That's all it does.  When it is used on the ideal candidate, liposuction contours small "problem areas" (removing small saddle-bags, for instance).  But sometimes we do liposuction for people who aren't near their ideal body weights, too.  In this case, liposuction is used for debulking larger areas.  Liposuction will not make you lose weight and it will not make you thin.  It will only remove excess fat to... more
Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Expectations with Liposuction

The ultimate goal for Liposuction should be to improve body contour by removing persistent fat not responsive to diet and exercise.  Liposuction is designed to improve bodily proportions by removing localized areas of bulging caused by fat under the skin.  As with any cosmetic surgery, the goal should be improvement rather than perfection. 
Joseph G. Bauer, MD
Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Remaining Fat After Liposuction

Liposuction is performed to contour the body by removing stubborn areas of isolated fat, rather than as a means of weight loss. You will not see a significant change in weight after liposuction, instead you should see more pleasing contours such as more curve above your hip or a slimmer flank region. To maintain the results of liposuction surgery, you will need to maintain a proper diet and exercise plan. It is hard to determine your exact situation without seeing before and after... more
Tarick K. Smaili, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Whether you should do another liposuction procedure depends on why you still look fat

Liposuction is an effective method for removing unwanted collections of fat.  Deciding whether or not to do another procedure because you still look fat depends on why you think you still look fat. If you still have significant fat in the area that was suctioned, you may wish to do a second procedure to remove more after waiting a sufficient amount of time to allow the swelling from the initial procedure to subside. If you still think you look fat because there are other... more
Lawrence A. Osman, MD
Woodland Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Persistent fat after liposuction

Liposuction is a popular and effective way to contour the body. Keep in mind about liposuction will only remove the fat that is above the muscle and under the skin. If you are still concerned with the appearance of your torso and specifically your abdomen, it may be that you continue to have fat that is deep to the muscle. No surgery can reach this fat, only a regressive exercise regimen and a balanced low-fat diet can help you reduce this deep fat. Your best bet is to discuss your concerns... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Looking "FAT" after Liposuction

Liposuction is a CONTOURING and curve restoring procedure aimed at localized fat deposits. It is not a weight reduction procedure. You SHOULD see a significant difference in your appearance after liposuction but under the best of circumstances the procedure cannot remove more than 10 pounds or so under outpatient conditions.
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction and unhappy with results

Without examining you it would be difficult to offer advice. Liposuction is not the amswer to weight loss it is best for areas of local fatty deposits that do not get better with weight loss and exercise.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is not for weight reduction.

Hi. 1) Liposuction should remove bulges and improve contour. If you were overweight before liposuction, you will still be overweight after, but with much better shape. I am afraid there is nothing but eating less and exercising to lose weight. 2) If your shape was not improved with liposuction, then it probably wasn't done right, and you might try again.
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction should produce noticeable body contouring.

Mary 777, Your question requires more information before a clear answer can be given. Did you have preopeative photos and your weight taken? The photos can be critiqued to determine if any contour improvements were achieved. Likewise with the weight; if you had significant weight gain after the procedure, your results would be compromised. One additional area to consider is that certain exercise regimens cause an increase in muscle mass which make you gain bulk instead of slimming you... more
Vikisha Fripp, MD
Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

This is an unusual situation after a liposuction...

This is an unusual situation after a liposuction procedure. The best results of liposuction come in properly selected patients with reasonable expectations who take the result from surgery and magnify it by proper diet and exercise leading to losing an additional 10-15 lbs after the surgery. There are many doctors who don't do very well at letting the patient know if they are a good candidate or what kind of result they could expect to achieve. This sets the patient up for an expectation... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
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