34 y/o, 5'2", 145lb - what can I expect lipo results to look like with weight fluctuations?

Question

I am 34 years old, 5'2" and 145lb, with a current goal weight of 128lb for an event in October. My natural weight tends to fluctuate at 145lb +/-5lb (however I topped out at 155lb due to lockdowns). I have liposuction (abdomen and hips) scheduled for mid June. If I continue to lose weight after the procedure then gain the weight back to my post lipo weight (I know from history that 128lbs is not sustainable for me), what can I expect my results to look like?

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. It’s difficult to predict long term results if there is significant weight gain or loss. Since liposuction involves permanent removal of fat cells, you should expect less of a dramatic change in that area. I hope this helps.

James Lee, MD · Answer

Thank you for submitting your question. If your usual weight is 145lb +/- 5lb, it would be best to be at that weight at the time of your surgery so that your PS can have a better idea of how to contour your body. Losing weight after liposuction isn't so bad however, gaining weight after liposuction can negatively affect your results. That being said, regaining from 128lbs back to 145lbs should not negatively affect the body contouring results if you were indeed 145lbs at the time of surgery. Weight fluctuations can negatively affect the skin elasticity though. Hope this information was helpful.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear crispypata,
generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a surgery, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you 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

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It's not possible to predict exactly how weight fluctuations will affect you individually.  Significant weight loss can lead to skin laxity.  Weight gain can impact your results and potentially lead to stretch marks, depending on the skin's elasticity.  It is best to have the procedure when you are at a healthy stable weight to avoid potentially impacting your results.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Patients are encouraged to be at their comfort weight going into surgery. That is, a weight they are comfortable maintaining for the foreseeable future. Weight fluctuations can change your results. The Gold Standard for superior liposuction results requires use of the advanced technology of ultrasound-assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I perform full body liposuction cases every week. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently resulted in outstanding liposuction outcomes. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of degree of excess fat by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. If skin redundancy is observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

What to expect from liposuction including weight changes afterwards is dependent on so many variables it’s not really possible to give you a good answer.

By far the two most important variables when it comes to this procedure is understanding if you’re a good candidate for Liposuction in the first place and secondly choosing the most experienced and talented provider.

Delivering consistent high-quality Liposuction results is far more difficult than most people believe.

If you don’t have someone who has sufficient skill and experience and the results will not be good regardless of any other circumstances.

Likewise some people are ideal candidate for Liposuction and others simply aren’t going to get good results for a variety of factors and variables.

Typically what makes somebody a good candidate for a liposuction is that the problem is related to fat distribution and they have a modest amount of excess fat.

When the problem is obesity the most patients tend to regain the The fat that was removed from the procedure with enough time.

They simply regain the fat in their new fat distribution.

If obesity is the problem then work on your obesity.

If where the fat is is the problem the liposuction is the correct solution.

Generally speaking patients gain weight after liposuction often don’t appreciate the results as being very impressive.

Defined the best provider I suggest patients have multiple in person consultations at which time you ask each provider to show their entire collection of Liposuction results of the area you’re interested in having treated.

An experienced provider should have no difficulty showing you 50 or more sets of before and after pictures. Simply seeing a few examples which in fact represent the best results of that provider‘s career is insufficient to get an understanding of what average results look like.  you also need to get some confirmation of how many of these procedures the surgeon has performed.

Highly experienced surgeons should easily be able to pull out hundreds or even thousands of before and after pictures. Ideally you should ask to see pictures of results that are excellent, average and below average.

When it comes to the torso I view the torso as a single anatomic unit and typically treat the entire torso or don’t treat it at all.

Not treating the entire torso leaves people with an abnormal fatist debution if that doesn’t look natural.

Typically for a woman treating the full torso includes upper abdomen, lower abdomen, love handles, waist, full back and under arm area.  on a man it would also include the chest.

You could repost including pictures and that way you could get confirmation if you’re a good candidate or not.

Weight wise I see no reason why you can’t have Liposuction but there are other things to take into consideration. People with skin laxity tend to not get results as good as those with tight skin.

Sometimes I describe the perfect Liposuction candidate as someone who is “young tight and pudgy”.

Considering that liposuction results are permanent and irreversible it behooves all patients to put in a strong effort with serious efforts in vetting each plastic surgeon before choosing your provider.

Who does the procedure is by far the most important variable.

Good luck,

Mats Hagstrom MD

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