Liposuction and Weight: How They Fit

Liposuction is a popular body-shaping procedure through which we have helped many people feel a renewed sense of confidence. The surgery is performed hundreds of thousands of times a year all around the world, and it has been for many years. Still, we continue to meet potential patients who have a few wrong ideas about what liposuction is all about. Here, we want to set the record straight about liposuction and weight.

Can liposuction help you lose weight?

Liposuction is a fat-reducing procedure. A large number of enlarged fat cells make us, well, fat. It would make sense, then, to assume that removing a number of enlarged fat cells from one or more parts of the body would decrease weight. Interestingly, it doesn't happen this way. Although several liters of fatty matter can be removed during a liposuction procedure, the main result is seen in the mirror, not on the scale. If you're interested in reaching a goal weight, liposuction won't help you. If you're interested in getting rid of fatty deposits on your thighs, buttocks, tummy, arms, chin, or other area, liposuction may be an excellent treatment option for outstanding results.

Won't the fat just come back?

One of the concerns that patients have when considering liposuction is that the fat they have removed will simply come back after surgery. This is a tricky concept. The body will not grow new fat cells to replace those that have been removed by liposuction. Fat also will not migrate from one area of the body to the area treated with liposuction. However, that doesn't mean body shape can't change in the future. Body contouring is determined by the size of the fat cells in any given area. If, after liposuction, diet and exercise habits fall to the wayside, it is very possible that fat cells will enlarge. This can happen anywhere on the body, including an area previously treated with liposuction.

What many people discover is that, once they've corrected stubborn areas of fat with liposuction, their motivation to eat well and exercise regularly increases. When you feel good about your body, you want to show it more love in as many ways as you can.

Is liposuction right for you? We can help you find out. Contact our office to schedule a body-shaping consultation.