Weight Gain After Liposuction

Liposuction or liposculpture reduces fat in problem areas. At 2-3 months, stable patients get on the scale and see a few pounds missing. Yet some patients notice that they have actually gained weight.
Why?
Immediately after surgery, swelling replaces where fat was removed. This swelling, caused by leaky capillaries, consists primarily of water. Once the swelling recedes, and they become more physically active, patients typically notice that their weight improves. By nature, surgery causes soreness and patients are usually restricted from full workouts for a period of time after surgery. This explains the weight gains often noticed immediately after surgery.
For weight gain that continues past this point, the patient has gained fat in their body. Period. Some patients will gain a false sense of confidence after their liposuction procedure. Areas that they have monitored as their "alarm bell" are now much better. They relax and allow their good eating and exercise habits to lapse. By the time the usual alarm bell goes off again, they have gained ten pounds.
This underscores several points. We all typically gain weight over time and gain fat and lose muscle. This is normal human physiology. As time passes, the effort and will power to remain "fit" increases. Anybody who has been to a school reunion knows what happens to a classful of previously fit people.
Liposuction is not a weight loss tool. It is to aid in losing fat from problem areas. If anything, patients should plan on being more active and healthier about their eating habits after surgery than they were before. One week in the gym watching their weight and a patient can lose weight perfectly, with no irregularities, much better than I can sculpt in the operating room. Some of the worst results I have seen are from very wealthy people who think they can just suck out the fat and get many procedures done, each time developing a few more irregularities in the process.
This is not what people like to hear, I know. But the rewards for healthy and restrained eating and regular exercise are great.

Dear lklugirl,

Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding weight gain following your liposuction procedure. It's important to address this, as it can be quite perplexing, especially when you're maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Firstly, it's crucial to recognize that liposuction is excellent for contouring and removing stubborn fat pockets, but it doesn't prevent new weight gain. Our bodies are dynamic, and weight can fluctuate due to a variety of factors including changes in metabolism, lifestyle, age, and even hormonal imbalances. Sometimes, these changes can occur subtly, without a noticeable shift in eating habits or activity levels.

After liposuction, if the body gains weight, new fat cells can accumulate in different areas where the surgery wasn't performed, or even in the treated areas, albeit to a lesser extent. This is because liposuction reduces the number of fat cells in the targeted areas, but the remaining cells can still expand if weight is gained.

To manage or reverse this weight gain, here are a few steps you might consider:

Evaluation: It might be helpful to have a detailed evaluation with your healthcare provider or a nutritionist to identify any underlying factors contributing to your weight gain.

Exercise: Incorporating regular, balanced exercise can help regulate your weight and improve overall health. Focus on a mix of cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training.

Nutritional Review: Even if your eating habits are generally good, slight adjustments in your diet, such as portion control or increasing your intake of whole foods, can make a significant difference.

Follow-up with Your Surgeon: Discussing your concerns with the surgeon who performed your liposuction can provide tailored advice and possibly identify solutions based on your post-operative journey.

Remember, weight gain after liposuction isn't uncommon, and it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. It's an opportunity to reassess and adjust your lifestyle and wellness strategies to maintain your desired results.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon

The fat cells removed with liposuction do not grow back. However, the remaining fat cells can and will enlarge with weight gain. As weight is gained, you may proportionally gain less weight in the liposuctioned area as there are now fewer fat cells there. Weight gain is related to diet and exercise.