Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of fat cells from a problematic area of the body, creating a smoother surface and a slimmer silhouette. Liposuction is especially helpful for removing stubborn fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. Its important to be as close to your goal weight as possible before liposuction because weight fluctuation after the procedure will change your silhouette.
How Much Weight Will I Lose With Liposuction?
Liposuction is not a weight loss method, it is a body sculpting method useful after youve already lost most of the weight you want to lose. You will, of course, lose a few pounds (the exact number depends on the person) because fat cells are being removed, but you should not depend on liposuction as a weight loss technique.
Will My Fat Cells Return After Liposuction?
The removal of fat cells from liposuction is permanent- those cells wont grow back. If you gain a small amount of weight after liposuction, the fat cells you do still have will increase in size. If you gain large amounts of weight, new fat cells will form. So the look you have after liposuction will be permanent (discounting normal body changes due to aging) if you dont gain large amounts of weight after the procedure.
What If I Gain Pregnancy Weight After Liposuction?
If your weight gain is within normal guidelines and you lose the baby weight after you have the baby, your liposuction results will return. In this way, pregnancy weight gain affects liposuction results in the same way any other weight gain does. If you are considering liposuction AFTER pregnancy, consider having the procedure done on your abdomen- for some patients, it can flatten the tummy in the same way a tummy tuck can, with a much shorter and less uncomfortable recovery.
What If I Do Gain Weight After Liposuction?
If you gain a little weight after liposuction, most of it will gather in areas other than the area treated (areas with more fat cells). As your weight gain increases, your silhouette may change as other parts of the body increase in size and the treatment area lags. Eventually, however, new fat cells will form in the treatment area and you will gain weight all over the body.
As you can see, its important to get close to your ideal weight before liposuction, and to stay as close to that weight as possible afterwards. You can work with your doctor on a weight loss plan if you are not close enough to your goal weight to have the procedure.
If you have any questions about liposuction in Northern Virginia or would like to schedule a free liposuction consultation, please call our offices at (703) 574-2588.