A common misconception of liposuction is that it permanently removes fat from the body, providing an everlasting thin figure. Dr. Zoran, a licensed plastic surgeon in Fort Lauderdale, is myth-busting these commonly asked questions and misapprehensions about liposuction. 

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that focuses on fat removal and is done by a licensed plastic or dermatologic surgeon. Some of the most common places people do liposuction procedures are hips, belly, thighs, buttocks, arms, and under the chin or face to improve their structure. 

Liposuction provides near-immediate results, removing unwanted excess fat in isolated areas of the body. But the skepticism regarding its permanent removal of fat remains – Does fat come back after lipo?

Does Liposuction Remove Fat Permanently?

Liposuction does permanently remove fat cells from the body. Although there are a wide variety of liposuction techniques and variations, they all seemingly have the same goal: permanently remove fat by removing fat cells from isolated or localized areas of the body. There are a variety of maintenance tips that can help people maintain liposuction results long-term. 

Does Liposuction Work Permanently? 

Fat can indeed return after a liposuction procedure if you allow it to come back. If you wish to permanently remove fat after liposuction then you must maintain your post-lipo weight. The more weight a patient gains after their procedure the less dramatic their fat removal results will be. 

In situations of a considerable amount of weight gain, new fat cells can develop throughout the body, even in liposuction-treated areas. Slight weight gain averaging 5 pounds will not diminish the results of fat removal; rather, the overall body structure will be improved by the fat removal procedure and will still be noticeable in treated areas. Liposuction fat can come back if the patient allows it to in large quantities. 

Weight gain in a patient who has received liposuction treatment can result in three different scenarios, depending on the patient and amount of weight gain:  

1. 1. Normal weight gain can occur, where fat increases in all areas of the body while maintaining the contours provided by the procedure.
   2. Weight gain can occur in other areas of the body that haven’t been treated.
   3. Weight gain will increase in the treated area.

The last result is highly unlikely, as it is difficult to gain weight in an area with decreased fat cells.  

How Many Pounds of Fat Does Liposuction Remove?

The maximum amount of fat removal that can be done with liposuction safely is about 6 to 8 pounds or 3-4 liters of fat. The more volume of fat removed from the body in a single procedure, the higher the patient runs the risk of serious lipo complications. If a patient is requesting to permanently remove fat of more than 6 to 8 pounds, our plastic surgery Fort Lauderdale recommends dividing the liposuction into separate surgical procedure sessions 3 to 4 weeks apart for the safest and best liposuction results. 

How Much Weight Can I Lose with Lipo?

Patients should not expect to lose an excessive amount of weight after a liposuction procedure. Liposuction permanently removes fat, changing the aesthetic appearance of the treated areas. It is important to note that liposuction should not be used as a method for weight loss; instead, it’s a cosmetic procedure. 

How to Maintain Liposuction Results

The best way to maintain your liposuction results is through a healthy diet and regular exercise. A healthy diet is paramount to healing quickly after your procedure, and to enjoy the best possible results, patients should continue this even after they are fully healed. Exercise will, of course, be limited during recovery. After recovery, regular exercise will help maintain your results and improve overall mental and physical health.  

For more information regarding liposuction recovery and maintenance, check out another of our recent blog posts.

Liposuction – Fat Removal Procedures in Fort Lauderdale 

Dr. Zoran is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Fort Lauderdale with experience in fat removal through liposuction and employs a fully licensed staff of professionals who can administer cosmetic procedures to enhance your appearance. 

Ready to schedule your cosmetic treatment in Fort Lauderdale? Contact us today if you have any questions regarding liposuction or to learn more about the additional dermatology treatments we offer. Request a consultation today! 

Additional Reading: 

Should I Get Liposuction During Quarantine? 

Neck Lipo vs. Neck Lift

Is Double Chin Removal Possible with Neck Liposuction?

Faith

Dr. Zoran Potparic is a board certified plastic surgeon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, committed to performing surgery of the highest quality, safety, and artistry. He applies his years of global study and research, as well as more than 30 years of hands-on experience performing reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for patients coming from all over the United States.