Why is my waist measurement the same after liposuction?

Question

Before Lipo I was 108 pounds, 5'3", 27 waist, 30 around belly button, 32 hipbone. I am now 3 months post op, and have the same measurements except around belly butron is 29.5. And now this morning weighed 111 pounds. How is this possible? And why didn't the measurement get smaller. I had 650cc removed - abdomen and flanks. I had breast augmentation at the same time with 480cc uhp implants.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Even when swelling has substantially subsided the actual measurement of the waist may not change much. A better barometer of the benefits of liposuction of the pre-and postop photographs. Liposuction is a body contour operation.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question. There are many variables here. Its hard to answer accurately without looking at you before and after pictures. Although  your weight is heavier on the scale, how do you look and feel. Do your clothes fit better? Also, weight can fluctuate 2-3 pounds from day to day depending on fluid intake, having a bowel movement , where you are in a menstrual cycle etc. A more accurate gauge is how your clothes fit. How do you look. Another key factor is that you were augmented with moderately large implants. From my experience, having performed approximately 150-200 augmentations a year for the past 25 years, patient's weigh an average of 3-5 more pounds on the scale after this procedure. If you are happy with your results, I wouldn't put much "weight" on a number on the scale. Best regards.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You did not mention when you had the surgery. If you had it recently, then it is likely do to swelling. Best of luck.

Robert Graper, MD · Answer

Good question. The most likely answer is that the 650 cc of liposuction was (at your weight) probably mostly tumescent local anesthetic fluid and much less fat. Remember that your implants weigh more than a pound each and add that to your original weight and you're close. If your waist measurement reflects both intra abdominal and extra abdominal fat and most of your fat is on the inside this all could account for your small waist line improvement and the weight gain. See your surgeon. Good luck.

Ryan T. M. Mitchell, MD, FRCSC, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.This is a common scenario with liposuction. Due to the tumescent technique often used in liposuction there is often a zero balance when it comes to weight or measurement changes in the post-operative phase. This is attributable to the fluid injected, the IV fluid, and post-operative swelling due to the nature of the procedure. Often it takes in excess of 3 months to see resolution of the swelling and the final result.I would give it a few more months to see your final endpoint.Best of luck!

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Liposuction decreases the fat layer and the amount taken down is limited by your anatomy.  While you were healing from surgery you were limited on what activities you could and you could have gained weight which may have increased your intra-abdomen fat.  You are only 3months post op and you still have swelling to the area.  the swelling can take as long as 6mo to a year to go away.  Follow up with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your concerns and to examine the are of concern.

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post. You really should not judge your measurements for another 3 months. At the 3 month mark, you've only recently lost a majority of the swelling that occurred from the surgery. During your recovery, you were probably not able to diet and exercise effectively either. Give it some more time, even though I realize that is tough to do sometimes. Best wishes.

Why is my waist measurement the same after liposuction?

Answers (7)

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