How hard is it to keep weight off after lipo? I don’t want my love handles and belly coming back after the procedure! (Photo)

Question

I’m having Lipo of my stomach and flank areas in 2 weeks and looking for more info on keeping my new figure, I workout regularly and eat right for the most part but I can never loose my stubborn stomach and I’m terrified of it coming back after surgery.

Lisa J. Peters, MD · Answer

Having lipo does not make your body more prone to gaining weight.  If you consume more calories than your body burns, you will gain weight and the fat will be apparent somewhere.  Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the treatment area.  When you gain or lose weight, your body doesn't grow new fat cells, it just fills up the ones you have or empties them.  The trick after liposuction, is that what used to be your problem area (for example your stomach and flanks) is no longer going to be the first area you notice a couple extra pounds.  You will still be able to gain weight in your stomach and flanks, but less so than prior to surgery because there are fewer fat cells in that area to fill!  You will need to be careful about monitoring your weight regularly to make sure 2 extra pounds doesn't turn into 10 pounds before you realize it.  My other recommendation is to keep an eye out  for another part of your body that tends to show minor weight gain first, since 1-2 pounds is easier to lose than 15 pounds.  Again I'd like to emphasize that this "new" area of weight gain will be gaining weight just like it did prior to surgery, but because you're going to be happier with the contour of your stomach and flanks, you are just going to have to teach yourself to monitor minor weight changes by looking elsewhere.

Mitchel Goldman, MD · Answer

If you have trouble maintaining a stable weight, you may want to hire a trainer or a nutritionist, or enroll in a medical weight-loss program before your liposuction. Liposuction is a wonderful way to remove that stubborn fat that plagues you, but it doesn’t have any effect on your eating habits or cravings. It’s still up to you to keep your weight the same, so that you can enjoy the full benefits of your lipo procedure. After liposuction, if you do gain weight, you may end up with another belly bulge, but it would be smaller in comparison to the one you removed as the new enlarged fat will go to other fat cells throughout your body. You may also want to consider noninvasive fat-elimination techniques, such as Vanquish, CoolSculpting and Thermi. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist who is an expert at body-contouring with liposuction and who can refer you to an effective weight-loss and stabilization program.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Maintaining a stable weight after liposuction will ensure that the results are long-lasting.  The liposuctioned areas will tend to accumulate less fat due to the fact that the cell number in that area has been decreased with the liposuction. Healthy carbs, no sugar, no junk food.... and exercise.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. You look like a great candidate for liposuction. As long as you have chosen a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you should be in good hands and get a great result. If you have not chosen a surgeon with those qualifications, I would reconsider proceeding. As long as you maintain a healthy weight and an active lifestyle after surgery, you should maintain your result.Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

As long as you maintain a healthy, stable weight, you will be able to maintain your results. For best results, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermiRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photograph, you are a
great candidate for waistline contouring liposuction of your abdomen, flanks,
and likely lower back (not pictured).  This can greatly improve your overall shape with a
smaller waist.  Make sure you specifically
look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this
surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  It is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise after surgery.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

The best candidates for surgery are those who have reached a healthy stable weight (and proven they can maintain). Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, however, your results will be sensitive to changes.It is difficult to answer the question of "how difficult is it to keep the weight off?" as this will depend upon the individual. Those who struggle with their weight may find maintaining more challenging than another who has never faced this challenge.Ultimately, the best advice is to be patient and delay surgery until such time as you are truly stable and comfortable at your pre-op weight.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

Liposuction delivers a new "starting foundation" for any future weight gain or weight loss. You will always have less fat there than you would have had if you had not done the liposuction. I have had patients return MANY years later (and many pounds later!) for other procedures who say that even though they have gained appreciable weight they can still see the proportion difference in their shape.As far as maintenance. a good nutritionist and/or personal trainer should be able to get you on the right track. Diet is key - you can't out-train a bad diet.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

Weight control is not altered by liposuction in any way. If you gain weight you will have additional fat deposition but probably not in the areas treated by the liposuction procedure.

Argeny Mercedes Guzman, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello, thank you for sharing your information

After your surgery you should keep the recommendations your surgeon provides you. if you follow the right post op recommendations, and the meal and exercises you can keep your results. 
Best Regards

How hard is it to keep weight off after lipo? I don’t want my love handles and belly coming back after the procedure! (Photo)

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