Lipo worked great, 5 months later, I have more fat than pre-op?

Question

I went from 129# to 170 after taking prednisone for a head injury. I began seeing a weight management physician, started Phentermine and a 900-1200 cal meal plan. I work with a plastic surgeon who did abdominal, thigh, back roll Lipo in April removing 3500 cc. My stomach was FLAT, I was super happy. I now have more fat than pre-op in my abdomen and thighs. Tons of labs done, all WNL. I'm frustrated and getting depressed. He's offered to do Lipo again, I fear it'll be the same result. Any advice?

Nathan Eberle, MD, DDS, FACS · Answer

that is the ultimate question. if your weight is back down to where you were when you initially had lipo, then it would be reasonable to expect a similar result. IF you are 50+ pounds heavier, the results will not be as satisfying as they once were.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Sorry but liposuction is not a treatment for weight gain.  We carry fat in different areas of the body as well as can have a visceral( internal abdominal) fat that can not be treated with liposuction. Diet and exercise can treat the visceral fat.

Jon A. Perlman, MD (retired) · Answer

Sorry for your experience but a 40 pound weight gain due to prednisone can wreak havoc on one's body.  Do your best to get close to your preoperative weight (129 pounds) before judging the results of your liposuction surgery and at that point see whether you are a candidate for repeat liposuction.  I guess is that much of the fat that has returned is visceral fat and not amenable to liposuction surgery but this should be determined in a face-to-face examination.Jon A Perlman M.D., FACSDiplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)ABC-TV Extreme Makeover SurgeonBeverly Hills, California

Lipo worked great, 5 months later, I have more fat than pre-op?

Answers (3)