Will there always be weight gain in new areas after smart lipo?

Question

I had Smart Lipo done on my inner and outer thighs a year ago, and while they look great, a bunch of fat has accumulated at my abdomen, where I've never had fat before. I work out and eat healthy and the fat there won't budge. It's driving me crazy because I feel pregnant all of the time. I am considering getting smart lipo again to fix that area, but will fat start accumulating somewhere else? I'm worried that it's a never ending cycle of lipo and new problem areas. Any thoughts?

Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a very common question I get asked all the time, and this is what I tell my patients.  Fat cells do not have the ability to migrate to other parts of your body.  Also fat cells in various parts of the body are different physiologically.  The fat cells of your outer thighs for instance is very different than the fat cells of your abdomen and even different from the fat cells of your inner thighs.  Abdominal fat is much more sensitive to hormonal changes, for instance, and have been shown to store estrogen.  When most patients notice "fat moving to other areas" after liposuction or Smart Lipo, I explain to them that most likely they may be gaining weight all over.  Because the treated areas having now fewer fat cells don't grow as much, there is a perception that the fat went to the untreated areas.  If you are gaining weight in your abdomen only, it could be due to hormonal changes, cortisol (stress hormone), or water retention.  Certainly you could undergo Smart Lipo to address that area, and as long as you maintain your healthy habits and your weight, you really shouldn't be concerned about fat accumulation in other areas as a result.  Hope this helps and best of luck!

Kevin M. Johnson, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a very common concern among people who undergo liposuction, as there seems to be an enduring myth about fat "moving around" after liposuction. Once fat cells are removed via liposuction, they're gone, and the body doesn't compensate by adding weight to other areas. Localized weight gain can be caused by a number of things, including hormonal fluctuations and stress. I don't believe your abdominal weight gain has anything to do with your Smartlipo procedure, and you may be a candidate for additional liposuction if other weight loss techniques don't work for you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Liposuction is for fine contouring and shaping, there should be no significant weight change or alteration in your long term weight from the procedure if you follow a diet and exercise.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

Eat less calories than you burn and your shape should eventually go back to what it looked like right after your lipo. No cosmetic procedure makes you immune to weight gain. Fat only accumulates when you eat too much.

David Dellinger, DO, FACOS · Answer

If you have maintained the same weight since your surgery then you may want to check with your primary care physician to determine if you're having any metabolic changes. Other issues such as increased stress and cortisal production increases result in abdominal fat gains. Otherwise, simple weight gain results in accumulation of fat in areas where fat cells reside, which now that fat cells are reduced in the thigh areas, will find another place to store fat.

Will there always be weight gain in new areas after smart lipo?

Answers (7)

Answer: Lipo reduces fat deposits. Eating too much causes your remaining fat deposits to swell.

Answer: Lipo reduces fat deposits. Eating too much causes your remaining fat deposits to swell.

Answer: Will there always be weight gain in new areas after smart lipo?

Answer: Will there always be weight gain in new areas after smart lipo?

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Everything you need to know about Smart Lipo

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Will there always be weight gain in new areas after smart lipo?

Answers (7)

Answer: Lipo reduces fat deposits. Eating too much causes your remaining fat deposits to swell.

Answer: Lipo reduces fat deposits. Eating too much causes your remaining fat deposits to swell.

Answer: Will there always be weight gain in new areas after smart lipo?

Answer: Will there always be weight gain in new areas after smart lipo?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Smart Lipo

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.