6 Minute
Is Liposuction Permanent?
You’re thrilled with the possibility of getting rid of stubborn fat pockets, but you’re wondering if the results will last. The short answer is yes. However, it’s crucial to note that while liposuction removes fat cells in target regions of the body, it does not eliminate every fat cell in the body. Therefore, additional weight gain is possible.
Why Do People Get Liposuction?
Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic treatments performed in the United States. It involves suctioning out diet and exercise-resistant fat from areas such as the abdomen, upper arms, back, thighs, and hips.
This popularity can be attributed to the fact that liposuction is minimally invasive. Its results become noticeable almost immediately, and the procedure simply works.
However, it is worth noting that liposuction is not an alternative to traditional weight loss solutions. It is mainly recommended for removing pockets of fat that refuse to respond to exercise and diet. As such, it is not unusual to see even the fittest individuals going for liposuction.
How Does Liposuction Work?
As one of the most versatile cosmetic procedures, the particular steps for liposuction surgery depend on the patient and the treatment area. Many people gravitate towards liposuction because of the wide range of available treatment areas, including:
- Neck
- Arms
- Chest/breasts
- Abdomen
- Love handles
- Hips
- Back
- Thighs
- Calves
- Ankles
There are a few different liposuction techniques, such as traditional liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), and laser-assisted liposuction. Traditional liposuction involves suctioning out the fat, UAL uses a device that melts the fat, and laser-assisted lipo uses a laser to dissolve the fat. Each method has a similar process of targeting stubborn fat cells and removing the fat via a cannula, which is a thin hollow tube.
Before the fat can be removed, you’ll be given IV sedation or general anesthesia to make the procedure more comfortable. After anesthesia, your surgeon will create small, precisely placed incisions, allowing them to insert the tube to remove the fat. Once the fat has been removed, your surgeon will close the incisions.
How Much Fat Does Liposuction Remove?
The exact amount of fat removed during a liposuction procedure will vary from patient to patient. In general, liposuction should not be treated as a method for weight loss. While it is likely that you will experience some weight loss with the removal of your fat cells, it is often not a dramatic amount.
Liposuction should be viewed as a body contouring procedure that allows you to get rid of stubborn fat and sculpt your body into toned and proportional contours. For patients with poor skin elasticity, additional body contouring procedures—such as a tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, etc.—may be necessary to achieve your desired outcome.
During a consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your medical history, medications, and any previous surgeries. You’ll also meet with your surgeon to examine your potential treatment areas and assess which liposuction techniques will be used to achieve your goals. By the end of your consultation, you’ll have a treatment plan detailing how your surgical goals will be addressed, a clear idea of what results to expect, and a price quote for your liposuction cost.
Can Fat Come Back After Lipo: What Happens After Liposuction?
Even though liposuction permanently removes targeted fat cells, there are still other fat cells in your body where fat can accumulate. Fat will not return to the treatment areas where the fat was removed; however, fat can be apparent in other body areas.
Immediately following your surgery, you will likely have to wear a compression garment over the treatment area to help reduce swelling. The garment usually needs to be worn for a few weeks during recovery, but your surgeon will let you know exactly how long you need to wear it.
Once the anesthesia wears off fully, you may experience some pain and discomfort in the treatment areas. Due to bruising and swelling, you won’t be able to see your complete results yet. Your surgeon will give you aftercare instructions and tell you how long you should avoid strenuous activities.
Your total recovery will depend on what body areas you get liposuction and the extent of correction needed. Generally speaking, most patients can return to work in a few days and notice that most swelling subsides after six weeks.
Does Liposuction Remove Fat Permanently?
Despite the success associated with liposuction, many people still wonder if liposuction offers a permanent solution to the problem of stubborn fat deposits. To answer this question, you must first understand what the procedure does.
Although plastic surgeons use several different techniques, liposuction essentially removes fat from a target body area. The results will be permanent since liposuction permanently removes fat cells from an area, and fat cells do not grow back or duplicate in the area where liposuction has been done.
Can Fat Return After Liposuction?
As mentioned earlier, liposuction permanently removes fat cells from a particular area. However, this does not stop the body’s natural process of producing fat.
Even after liposuction, your body will continue converting the excess sugar into fat and storing it in other body parts (or in the remaining fat cells in the treatment area). The body does this to prepare itself to survive in the event of starvation.
Weight gain after liposuction is absolutely possible. This is why it is essential to maintain your liposuction results after your treatment.
What Can I Do to Maintain a Good Shape After Liposuction?
Although fewer fat cells will be left in the treated area and, therefore, less possibility of fat accumulation in those areas, additional fat gain in other areas can still negatively affect your body contour.
To prevent such an eventuality and continue looking great, you must continue exercising and eating a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight and minimize the rate at which your body produces fat.
Are You Interested in Liposuction in Ontario, CA?
See more liposuction transformations by visiting Dr. Andreasen’s liposuction before and after photo gallery.
If you have stubborn pockets of fat that have refused to respond to diet and exercise, you may want to consider liposuction. However, although liposuction permanently removes fat cells from an area, it does not prevent the body from producing fat and storing it in other parts of your body.
To maintain your great shape, you will need to continue working out and be careful with what you eat.
Contact Dr. Andreasen today by calling (909) 291-4900 or filling out our online contact form.
