Does lipo take remove fat cells even when they are 'shrunk' or do they need to be full for it to remove the cell permanently?

Question

I'd like to have lipo on my waist, flanks, thighs and upper arms and am wondering whether to lose weight before or afterwards. I read that fat cells shrink when you lose weight, so my question is does the liposuction remove ALL cells- the full/fat ones AND the ones that have shrunk with weight loss? If that's the case I will probably lose weight before the surgery, but if it only removes the full cells then I won't lose weight first as would like to permanently remove as many fat cells as poss!

Peter Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. The absolute number of cells removed from a given area might differ, as removing larger cells would require less of them to be removed to achieve a given volume decrease compared to smaller ones. Lipo isn’t that selective. I would suggest to be close to your goal weight at a the time of surgery,  then plan on a 5-7 lbs final weight loss after your procedure. The thinner you are the better, since lipo is a contouring procedure and it is designed to make your normal contours come out from beneath the fat.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

It really doesn't matter if cells are "fat" or 'thin", the liposuction technique removes all of them. It's like cutting down a field of grain, everything goes. So you don't have to do anything different with respect to your weight gain or loss.  The thinner you are the better, since lipo is a contouring procedure and it is designed to make your normal contours come out from beneath the fat.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Liposuction destroys or reduces the population of fat cells in a treated area. These cells once gone are gone for good. One of the most important decisions a patient must make is the selection of the best board certified plastic surgeon to perform the liposuction procedure. Beyond this, the final result is largely the result of adherence to postoperative protocols to prevent complications that can largely be avoided.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear  holiday81,
Liposuction is a procedure which removes the excess fat tissue from desired areas. It doesn't matter if your cells are full or "shrunk". You should reach your goal weight prior to surgery in order to get the best results. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

There is so much misconception out there. So here is a great opportunity. First, please see a lipo specialist. Most surgeons do 20 a year, see someone who does at least 10 a week. Overall, the better shape you are going into surgery the better you will be coming out. Secondly the goal is to remove as many fat cellls as possible but maintain a thin natural look (we leave about 4mm of fat under the skin to allow a smooth result). Using technology such as vaser melts all the fat so the size of the cells do not matter!

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

holiday81 I completely understand your confusion with regard to this matter. Bottom line, it is by far better to try to get down to your target weight prior to liposuction surgery, as liposuction is not a weight-loss tool. It is designed to remove well-defined areas of fat unresponsive to diet and exercise. Liposuction removes fat cells in the treatment area but it is best to first lose the weight.  You will enjoy a much better result! Consult with a board-certified Plastic Surgeon to confirm my advice. Good luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

You're making this way too complicated. More complicated than it actually is. When you're overweight so are your fat cells. All of them.  When you shrink so did the fat cells. If you can't lose weight then you should lose weight because that's a much better way to look good, be healthy and get the results you want.  Probably half the patients I see don't need liposuction if they could lose weight but they can't or they are not willing to so they get liposuction instead. Get to your ideal weight then get assessed properly.  The only variable that matters is who does the liposuction.  Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

Does lipo take remove fat cells even when they are 'shrunk' or do they need to be full for it to remove the cell permanently?

Answers (7)

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