Does Liposuction Cause an Increase of Cellulite?

Question

I am looking to have the procedure done to my thighs (saddle bags) and my hips.  I have minimal amount of cellulite on my thighs and get endermology done regularly to keep it that way!

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Preoperative obesity, cellulite, stretch marks, a history of back and forth (yo-yo) weight change, or loose, sagging, inelastic skin, are problems which would tend toward poor results during a liposuction. In fact, these problems may be worsened by liposuction and may be best addressed by other procedures such as a leg or body lift (e.g. tummy tuck to improve your appearance. Basically, liposuction does not cause cellulite if performed correctly (in the right tissue plane and not removing excessive or uneven amounts), but the procedure may make existing cellulite more obvious or prominent.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Liposuction reduces the volume of fat, it does not consistently improve the appearance of cellulite. Sometimes, cellulite actually looks more apparaent after liposuction, and other patients see improvement. 
Cellulite is apparent as connective tissue bands that are attached to the overlying superficial dermis and anchored to the undelying subcutaneous tissue. As the tissues engorge secondary to fluid retention, fat accumulation and hormonal influences, the swelling of the tissue occurs in all areas except immediately over the vertical collagen bands that hold down the skin. So, similar to the buttons on the top of a mattress, there are multiple areas of indentations in between the swellings. 
Some physicians reported a technique where a sharp liposuction cannula was used to break up the collagen attachments and also tried fat injections to raise up the indentations. This apparaently has not been effective as most physicians are not doing this procedure. It might, in fact, make it worse. 
No surgeon can guarantee that the cellulite will not worsen after liposuction. It is a risk that you have to be willing to accept for the tradeoff of the benefit of volume reduction via liposuction. Also, if some cellulite worsens, it doesn't mean that it would happen in the entire surgical area.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

If properly done liposuction will not affect cellulite. It will not make it better or worse. See an experienced liposuction surgeon and you should not have a problem.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Liposuction generally does not increase nor decrease cellulite. However, if aggressive liposuction is performed in skin with relatively poor laxity, irregularities may occur which can be confused with cellullite.
Unfortunately, we have yet to discover a satisfactory treatment for cellulite. Endermologies has been used both before and after liposuction to minimize cellulite.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	&ldquo;Cellulite"  refers to irregularities that occurred on the surface of the skin. Liposuction will not cure or necessarily cause cellulite;  it will remove fat and reduce contour.  Patients with severe cases of cellulite  will not benefit from liposuction surgery and may require skin excision (for example  tummy tuck or thigh lifting)  to achieve the desired results.

	I hope this helps.

Joel B. Singer, MD · Answer

Hi:
Traditional liposuction using  superwet or tumescent technique can aggravate cellulite if too much tissue is removed. This is especially true if the area involved has already started to show some signs of sagging.
I have had extensive experience with traditional liposuction and have seen cases where cellulite was made worse by liposuction. The new laser assisted liposuction procedures are much more effective in tightening the skin and therefore much less likely to aggravate cellulite. My recent experience with Slim lipo has been very gratifying especially in smoothing out areas with surface irregularities.

Craig Mezrow, MS, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction will not cause cellulite and it's not a treatment for cellulite. There are some FDA approved machines for reducing cellulite such as the VelaShape by Syneron that requires a series of treatments.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Cellulite does not get better or worse with liposuction. Liposuction is definitely not a solution for treatment of cellulite. For that matter endermologie does not have a big effect on this either.

Robert B. Pollack, MD · Answer

I agree with most of the other responses. Liposuction generally does not make cellulite better nor does it make it worse either.
Robert Pollack, MD

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

The answer is yes BUT it doesn't always make it worse and rarely can give a better appearance. The bottom line is this: if the surgeon is careful and conservative the risk is less. If the surgeon is inexperienced or gets too aggressive the risk increases. I always try to gage my patient's tolerance for making cellulite worse vs how much fat they want removed.

Does Liposuction Cause an Increase of Cellulite?

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