Is it OK to get lipo before having a gastric bypass? How soon should I wait between them?

Question

I am having a gastric bypass and would like to do lipo before getting the bypass done. Is that ok to do and how soon after lipo can I do my bypass?

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

It is possible to get liposuction before having a gastric bypass, but it is not usually recommended. Liposuction targets subcutaneous fat for body contouring, while gastric bypass addresses visceral fat and promotes long-term weight loss through metabolic changes. Since gastric bypass provides more significant health benefits, it is typically advised to prioritize it over liposuction. If you have liposuction first, you would need to wait 6-12 months before undergoing gastric bypass to allow for proper healing. On the other hand, if you have gastric bypass first, you will wait for 12-18 months before considering liposuction or body contouring, as the body continues to change as weight loss progresses. Multiple surgeries close together increase health risks, including infection and blood clots, and liposuction results may be diminished if done before significant weight loss due to potential loose skin. It is generally more practical to have gastric bypass first and later consider procedures like liposuction or skin removal once your weight has stabilized.

Walfre Edwin Guerrero Burgueno, MD · Answer

It is not advisable to perform liposuction before gastric bypass, since gastric bypass is a weight loss surgery, when you lose weight, you will probably need plastic/reconstructive surgery again (excess skin removal).
Therefore, it is advisable to first perform the weight loss surgery, and wait at least a year to perform the excess skin resection/abdominoplasty surgery.

Is it OK to get lipo before having a gastric bypass? How soon should I wait between them?

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Is it OK to get lipo before having a gastric bypass? How soon should I wait between them?

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Everything you need to know about Gastric Bypass

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.