I regret getting such dramatic liposuction on my abdomen, what would happen if I was to gain weight?

Question

23 no kids 5'4 135lbs. I wish I never underwent liposuction. I'm so scared that the weight gain will go into other areas if I do gain weight. If I were to gain a lot of weight after lipo and regrow the fat cells in my abdomen and lose it all again would my fat composition go back to how it was naturally like before the procedures? I understand I'd be gaining weight in all other areas that were untreated as well. Help!

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Patients will commonly wonder what the effects of liposuction will be on their weight and more specifically their ability to gain or lose weight in treated and untreated areas. 
After puberty, an individual will have the same population of fat cells for the remainder of their lives (barring an intervention). Any changes in weight will manifest not as more or less fat cells but rather swelling or shrinking of those very same fat cells.
Liposuction destroys or reduces the population of fat cells in a treated area. These cells once gone are gone for good. The treated areas now harbor a reduced population of cells and consequentially have a reduced potential for weight gain or weight loss. However, a reduced potential does not make changes in these areas absolutely impossible. The remaining cells can still swell with weight gain potentially compromising a cosmetic result.
The final component is the least understood. This is that of weight/fat distribution. It remains unclear how the body directs particular populations to change. Patients will often lament that attempts at weight loss are frustrated by losses in areas not targeted and weight gain by contrast goes directly to perceived problem areas. It is impossible to predict how a patient will respond to weight gain. While we know that treated areas must theoretically have a lower potential for growth by virtue of reduced adipocyte populations, this does not necessarily always hold true with some patients always demonstrating the effects of weight gain in the same predictable areas. Similarly, post operative weight gain is not always manifested in untreated areas.
One way to think about this issue is in simple mathematical terms: if one has a population of 100 fat cells in a given area and liposuction is performed removing 50 cells-that treated area now has a 50% reduction in its potential to demonstrate weight gain (via swelling of the remaining cells); However, that treated area of 50 cells maintains a greater potential to demonstrate weight gain than another smaller area of 25 cells which has not been treated. Thus a treated area will have a reduced potential relative to it's pre-operative state but not necessarily to other areas (treated or not).
The best advice one can give is to reach a stable healthy weight pre-operatively and try to maintain post-operatively. This is the best way to achieve a good result with the best chances for longevity.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello 12312345123  The results of liposuction are usually permanent, but in the case of a large weight gain the area would also gain fat but to a lesser degree. Weight gain and weight loss can change the results for any patients and the outcome of weight change is not predictable. #weight #postop

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The whole point of liposuction is to remove areas of fat that you want removed so that your body is more balanced.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Barring massive weight gain, you will not regrow fat cells, and your contour will be maintained whether you loose or gain weight. That's the beauty of liposuction. You do need to eat well and exercise moderately to prevent intra-abdominal fat growth, though. Growing old does not relegate you to gain weight, in fact many baby boomers are showing that doesn't have to be the case at all. Relax and enjoy. Best of luck!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, you would need to maintain a healthy, stable weight in order to maintain your results. In most cases, if you gain weight, you will gain in untreated areas first. Best, Dr. Emer

I regret getting such dramatic liposuction on my abdomen, what would happen if I was to gain weight?

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I regret getting such dramatic liposuction on my abdomen, what would happen if I was to gain weight?

Answers (7)

Answer: Liposuction Causes Permanent Fat Redistribution

Answer: Liposuction Causes Permanent Fat Redistribution

Answer: Gaining weight after Liposuction--VASER HI DEF 4D Liposculpture, ThermiRF, fat grafting

Answer: Gaining weight after Liposuction--VASER HI DEF 4D Liposculpture, ThermiRF, fat grafting

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