Liposuction - is the Fat Removal Permanent?

Question

I am considering lipo on my stomach. Learning that once the fat cells are gone, they do not return - does that mean that my stomach will not see much fat in the future and if so, will it show up in other areas that I don't see much fat now? Also, after surgery will I be up and going after 2 weeks?

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Liposuction will permanently remove fat. It does not come back. However, if you do not maintain a healthy lifestyle and add weight, the remaining fat may increase in size. Additionally, the fat does not move to another area, unless the person gains weight at that location.

	Liposuction is great way to contour the body and obtain excellent result. It is very important to make sure that your surgeon is a board certified Plastic Surgeon. Anyone, can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon without training in plastic surgeon. Do your research well. These days everyone want to be a plastic surgeon, but they don't want to get the proper training.

Kenneth Bermudez, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, the fat that is removed after liposuction will not return, but remember, liposuction is not the answer for weight reduction, it's a method for body contouring. It's intended use is to remove and treat localized areas of fat deposition which differ from male to female. Men tend to deposit fat centrally along the abdomen and chest, where women tend to distribute fat at the hips and below.

	If you should gain a large amount of weight after liposuction, say 20 lbs., then the fat will redistribute to other sites of your body. No one can predict where the redistribution will take place, so it is always important to eat right and get regular exercise.

	Recovery from liposuction can vary, but for the most part patient can return to regular work and daily activities in a week. I usually restrict exercise for 3 weeks.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Complete knowledge of fat metabolism is still unavailable but it appears that the number of fat cells taken into adult life is fixed. Therefore, since liposuction removes many of these fat cells, the results should be permanent. The fat cells that remain can get bigger or smaller but it doesn't appear that they reproduce.

Richard H. Fryer, MD · Answer

Liposuction is permanent removal of fat cells -- but the fat cells that remain behind can increase their size by up to 16 times!

	Under normal circumstances the fat cells that are removed will never grow back.

	Your body is genetically programmed to store fat in certain areas and to absorb fat from certain areas when you need it for energy.  Having liposuction may or may not change these areas of preferred storage and utilization.

	As long as you maintain your good diet and exercise habits after liposuction you should not have a problem.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction results are permanent.  However, keep in mind that your weight and body proportions are not.  You will continue to age and feel the affects of calories that you eat.

Hayley Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction removes fat cells in certain areas of the body to improve body shape. Shape changes can be long-lasting if the patient does their part in maintaining their weight, with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is normal for appearance changes to occur as a result of weight fluctuation (weight gain), aging, gravity, and pregnancy.

Boris M. Ackerman, MD · Answer

In overwhelming majority of patients the liposuction results are permanent, provided that the patient does not gain any weight in the future.  On the other hand, if the patient does gain weight, the fat does not go to another targeted area, but all the remaining fatty layers get larger including the treated areas.  The good news is that if the patient regains his/her weight than the treated areas typically shrink back to the results obtained after liposuction.

	As for your recovery question, in our practice we expect our patients to be up and around the next day, doing mild aerobic exercises in a few days, and nearly unrestricted activity  within two weeks.  Of course it takes awhile longer for all the swelling and bruising to go away.

Thomas Buonassisi, MD · Answer

Once the fat is removed with liposuction it is gone permanently. There are still fat cells left behind in order to allow for a smooth contour under the skin and these cells are capable of storing additional fat. The key is to try and maintain a stable weight after liposuction to keep up your great results. As for recovery most people are back to easy daily activities in 2 weeks.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the commonly asked question.

	Fat cells that are gone (for example removed with liposuction surgery) are gone forever.  However, if a patient gains weight the fat cells that remain in the area treated with liposuction and in areas that were not treated will grow.  Do your best to maintain a healthy weight  after your procedure.

	I hope this helps.

John P. Di Saia, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Liposuction decreases the tendency to gain weight in treated areas but does not eliminate it. It is most predictable in patients who have mild weight swings. Those who gain and lose a lot are harder to predict regarding where newly gained weight will "go."

	 

	Best Regards,

	John Di Saia MD

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Liposuction - is the Fat Removal Permanent?

Answers (19)

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