Weight loss - will I lose some weight with lipo to my legs, arms and trunk?

Question

Hello doctors, I have lipedema on my legs, arms, and trunk. I was approved for surgery by insurance for lipo and skin excision to my legs/arms/trunk. I am 5’1 and 120 lbs currently. My goal weight is 105 lbs. Will I lose SOME weight with lipo to my legs, arms, and trunk plus skin excision? My legs are 100% high volume. Arms and stomach are not. ***I understand lipo is not a weight loss procedure, but skin and lipedema fat have mass. Thank you kindly

Thomas Wright, MD · Answer

Lipedema Reduction Surgery is not a weight loss procedure but it usually results in bit of weight loss.  Each Lipedema Reduction Surgery results in a small weight loss in smaller women and a slightly larger weight loss in larger women. After the swelling from the surgery settles 3-4 pounds / 1-2Kg may be lost per area treated.  The same goes for skin lifts and skin excision on each area.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Liposuction of your legs, arms and trunk will permanently remove the fat and will result in weight loss, which will not rebound.  Body weight is not determined by total fat weight but intra-abdominal fat.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Generally, speaking people did not lose a significant amount of weight from liposuction.
High volume procedures include removing up to 5 L of fat, which is typically equivalent to about 8 pounds.
In the state of Florida the maximum amount that can be removed as an outpatient procedure is 4 L which is closer to 5-6 pounds of fat.
People will initially have enough swelling, and edema to actually gain weight.
A few months later, people will gain a new equilibrium and most patients come back weighing about the same, which means they’ve technically gained weight.
High volume liposuction seems to stimulate the brain to make people a bit hungry.
Liposuction is not useful for weight loss. 
I suggest people not focus on weight other than making sure they don’t gain weight after the procedure.
Patients who are able to lose weight on top of Liposuction seem to appreciate results much more than those who come back when the same or possibly more.
The first section results are generally based on two variables.
The first is patient candidacy and the second is the choice of providers.
Not everybody seeking Liposuction is a good candidate for the procedure.
Lower extremity Liposuction often fails to deliver the type of results patient had anticipated. this is especially true for individuals who have had weight, fluctuations, are older or have any degree of skin laxity.
 The procedure can be technically difficult, and individual who have any degree of skill laxity or generally not going to see the same quality results as those who have tight skin.
it’s very important to differentiate between skin laxity and excess subcutaneous fat.
Skin laxity is often perceived incorrectly as being a fat problem.
Loose skin often looks and feels like excess fat.
without including pictures, we can’t begin to make an assessment.
Delivering consistent quality, liposuction results, including the ability to make an accurate assessment is more difficult than most people realize.
I recommend patients to be more selective than they may think necessary when it comes to finding providers for this procedure.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Weight loss - will I lose some weight with lipo to my legs, arms and trunk?

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Weight loss - will I lose some weight with lipo to my legs, arms and trunk?

Answers (3)

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.