Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the country. In 2018, over 250,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Liposuction is not only popular, it’s a very safe procedure and a great way to get rid of stubborn fat deposits that can’t be removed through diet and exercise.

To undergo liposuction, you ideally should be within 10 to 20 pounds of your goal weight and in good health. Liposuction isn’t a weight loss program. It is a body sculpting procedure that can help you achieve your ideal silhouette by reshaping your hips, belly, thighs, buttocks, back, arms or face. Liposuction will make you look and feel better in clothing.

Permanently Remove Fat Cells

There are a few types of liposuction procedures, but they all utilize a thin tube, called a cannula, attached to a vacuum that suctions liquified fat from your body. Generally speaking, only a few pounds of fat are removed during a liposuction procedure, but all patients and bodies are different.

Because fat cells are suctioned out of your body, they will be permanently removed during liposuction.

What If I Gain Weight?

We encourage our patients to continue to improve their appearance with diet and exercise following liposuction. If you do happen to gain a small amount of weight after surgery, the fat will not preferentially collect in the areas suctioned, but more evenly throughout your entire body.

Because fat cells are permanently removed during liposuction, you will generally maintain the same shape as you gain weight. Treated areas will start with less fat, and therefore will not “catch up” to untreated areas or return to their pre-surgery shape.

But beware! If you gain a large amount of weight after liposuction, your body can grow new fat cells in treated areas.

Maintaining Results

Ideally, the results of a good liposuction procedure will remain intact forever. Bodies change with age, but this method of body sculpting is meant to grow old with you. To ensure these results, you should undergo liposuction when you’re close to your ideal body weight and can healthfully maintain that weight long-term.

To ensure your liposuction results last, you should maintain a healthy diet, high in protein and healthy carbohydrates, exercise regularly, drink plenty of water and, of course, follow all post-procedure instructions from your surgeon.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure and therefore comes with some risks. If you’re considering liposuction, discuss your options with your board-certified Plastic Surgeon to determine what’s best for you. We offer consultations and are happy to discuss your goals and how we can help you achieve them. Give us a call today.