Lipo recovery for a serious athlete?

Question

I am a professional male athlete under the age of 30. I routinely train with Olympic weightlifting and must maintain high cardiovascular fitness for my sport. In competition, it is a contact sport that is very physically challenging. I maintain a reasonably healthy diet and obviously train a great deal. I have always carried a bit of fat on my lower abs and flanks. Would a procedure on this area compromise my ability to train and compete for more than two months?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I usually tell my patients to wait at least 6 weeks before they start strenuous exercise to avoid any fluid collections.  This includes lifting anything greater than 5 or 10 lbs.   The board certified PS who performs your lipo will be in a better position to recommend your gradual return to your training routine based upon the extent of your lipo.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I treat NUMEROUS athletic males/females, many athletes models and those in front of camera all the time and who undergo strenuous activity.  you need 1-2 weeks off work, and 3-4 weeks off lifting.  depending on the type of liposcution or combination you need will depends on the downtime but It shouldnt ever change your ability to be a serious athlete. givne your backround you really need to chose someone with significant experience and who specializes in VASER HD 360 lipo. 
You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear topshelfsniper44,
every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. Generally speaking, you should be able to start with light training after 10-14 days and probably be able to continue with your normal training routine in less than a month.  I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Michael Dobryansky, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I always tell my patients that their bodies will tell them what they can and cannot do after liposuction. Usually it means that whatever you are not too sore to do, you can do right after. Having said this, you will be sore for a few days but not restricted. Incisions are tiny so you can work out right away.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concerns, but photographs would be helpful to provide a more detailed and specific answer. It sounds like your workout regimen is extremely vigorous and your area of concern probably does not have a great deal of extra fat. For that reason micro liposuction is your best option to improve contour. You may return to light workouts within 1 to 2 weeks and full workouts in less than one month after surgery. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon In your area to confirm my advice. Good luck.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I’m guessing physical adversity doesn’t bother you much.
If I’m right then you should be able to do unrestricted workouts including competition at three weeks.Low impact activities can be started much sooner.
It’s possible the area may still be sore if running a marathon or after a session of kickboxing even at three weeks but most people are not physically hampered at that point out from Liposuction.
I suggest confirming that you indeed are a good candidate for Liposuction.
Generally speaking typical men who are as an ideal BMI afternoon don’t have much subcutaneous fat.
Most people whose get paid to perform in sports don’t have enough fat to justify Liposuction especially men.I suppose there are exceptions.
Depending on your age, genetics and potential history of weight fluctuations there may be skin laxity which often is deceptive in looking like fat. Gravity has a tendency to show this on the lower abdomen and love handles in a standing position. Sometimes it’s not just coincidence the lower part of the torso look like they have more fat.
I recommend scheduling a few in person consultations with experienced board-certified plastic surgeons in your area who have a proven track record with top-notch results when it comes to Liposuction. 
Best, 
Mats Hagstrom MD

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

Liposuction of what you mentioned should not put you out of commission for more than a week or so. You do need to do nothing strenuous for several days to prevent bleeding. You should, however, be able to go back to training within a week. Your only problem will be your energy level, since your body will be using significant energy to heal. However, as an athlete used to training and with more reserve than normal people, you should be able to get back to normal relatively quickly, unless the amount of liposuction is significantly greater than indicated.

Lipo recovery for a serious athlete?

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