Is it best to be carb depleted before liposuction?

Question

I figure a low carb diet would make the fat cells smaller(less water) therefore more is able to get sucked out. Is this safe, or will I be too dehydrated for the procedure?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Any transient element is just that.  You do not want to be dehydrated or otherwise compromised prior to surgery.

Paul C. Dillon, MD · Answer

You should proceed in a safe fashion prior to surgery.  Liposuction is no different.  Good hydration, whole foods and multivitamins are a good combination 4 weeks prior to surgery.  The good news is that if you have a good amount of fat removed, it can jump start you into a more efficient postoperative carb burn.  This means that excercise is no longer trying to remove stubborn fat.  So I would consider your change of diet AFTER your procedure not before.

Adam C. Augenstein, MD · Answer

Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle with a stable body weight is the safest and best approach prior to liposuction or any surgery.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

Extreme dieting before surgery is a bad idea and more carbs before surgery have been shown to have better results. A low carb diet will not give better lipo results.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I have patients stay on a sensible balanced diet before surgery, Starving before surgery is not a good idea.

Gregory Sexton, MD · Answer

It makes no difference. It is best to stay hydrated and eat normal before surgery.
Good luck,
Greg Sexton, M.D.
Columbia, S.C.

Brian Kubiak, MD, FACS · Answer

Your diet and the size of the fat cells do not have any significant impact on the results obtained with liposuction.  A well-balanced healthy diet is always important especially before and after surgery.  Low carbohydrate diets can lead to dehydration which should be avoided prior to surgery.  This volume depletion can worsen when you are NPO (nothing by mouth) the evening before surgery.

Is it best to be carb depleted before liposuction?

Answers (7)

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