Weight maintenance after liposuction - Do I need to adjust my caloric intake?

Dear ALY2020,

I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.
It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.


Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Yes, your ideal calorie intake should be adjusted to match your new body weight after the procedure. Once the inflammation subsides, your metabolism will adapt to your body's new composition. Great job taking a proactive approach to maintaining your results!

After liposuction it is best to maintain your weight and engage in regular exercise to keep your results looking great. Rather than focusing on calories alone it is better to look at eating healthy. You can work with a nutritionist and a trainer to work with you if needed. I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

Everyday, your weight will fluctuate a few pounds depending upon when and what you ate and drank. Liposuction is not for weight loss, but for stubborn areas of fat. I would suggest eating how you normally do. At 100 pounds, you will not have 3 pounds of fat.

Yes, maintaining your weight after liposuction does require some attention to your caloric intake. While liposuction removes fat cells in targeted areas, it doesn't stop your body from storing fat in other areas. So, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and regular exercise to keep your weight stable.
Here are some things to consider:
1. Caloric Intake: After liposuction, your body may have a slightly higher metabolic rate due to the surgical process and recovery. However, it’s still crucial to consume an appropriate amount of calories. If you want to maintain your current weight, you should continue to track your intake based on your activity level, age, and metabolism.
2. Nutrition: Focus on nutrient-dense foods—lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—to support your recovery and long-term health. Avoiding processed foods and sugars will help keep fat gain at bay.
3. Exercise: Regular physical activity, especially combining strength training and cardiovascular workouts, will help you keep your weight stable and maintain muscle tone. This is especially important after liposuction since exercise can help you avoid regaining fat.
4. Hydration: Staying hydrated helps your body recover and supports metabolic functions, which are essential in weight maintenance.
5. Ongoing Fat Distribution: Liposuction does change the contours of your body, but if weight gain does occur after surgery, it may still be distributed differently. Fat cells can still expand in untreated areas if calorie intake is too high.
So, to ensure your results last, adjusting your diet and staying active are essential steps.

As I explain to my patients, your body knows how much fat it has onboard. If a surgeon "steals" that fat away, either through liposuction or excision, your body will replace it. And it will place it wherever your fat cells live. Hence, after liposuction, other areas of fat may become bigger. However, if you lose, for example 10#, and you change your diet and/or exercise to maintain that new weight, your body will not put that fat back on. So, if you resume your usual diet and/or exercise as at your original weight, your body will put that fat back on. If you adjust your diet / exercise to your new weight, it should maintain.
Sounds like you are doing great!