The Body
The answer is clearly NO. It’s important to understand that liposuction eliminates the majority of fat cells in the treated area. The fat cells removed cannot regenerate and are therefore permanently eliminated.
On the other hand, the remaining fat cells – even if far fewer remain – are not “immune” to further weight gain. Remaining fat cells are capable of storing fat. This is why it is quite possible to regain fat volume in the same place after liposuction. Admittedly, the extent of fat volume gain at the aspirated site is significantly less, but the formation of fat deposits is still possible.
Basically, if you gain weight after liposuction, the remaining fat cells in the treated area will absorb the fat and gain volume, which can compromise the result of the procedure. I generally tell my patients that it’s important not to put on more than 3 to 4 kilos after liposuction, otherwise it can alter the final result. On the contrary, patients who lose weight after liposuction will refine their result.
It is therefore important to adopt a healthy lifestyle after liposuction, and not to allow any remaining fat cells to develop. If you adopt a new eating habits and regular physical activity (at least twice a week of sport), you’ll be able to keep your weight off.
Basically, if you gain weight after liposuction, the remaining fat cells in the treated area will absorb the fat and gain volume, which can compromise the result of the procedure. I generally tell my patients that it’s important not to put on more than 3 to 4 kilos after liposuction, otherwise it can alter the final result. On the contrary, patients who lose weight after liposuction will refine their result.
It is therefore important to adopt a healthy lifestyle after liposuction, and not to allow any remaining fat cells to develop. If you adopt a new eating habits and regular physical activity (at least twice a week), the result of your liposuction will be even more refined and long-lasting.
Does fat reappear in other areas of the body after liposuction?
Many of my patients read on the Internet that, if you put on weight after liposuction – of the stomach and love handles, for example – the fat will then lodge in your arms or calves, for example.
In fact, there is a study that points in this direction:
« Fat redistribution following suction lipectomy: defense of body fat and patterns of restoration »
Teri L. Hernandez, John M. Kittelson, Christopher K. Law, Lawrence L. Ketch, Nicole R. Stob, Rachel C. Lindstrom, Ann Scherzinger, Elizabeth R. Stamm, Robert H. Eckel.
Here’s my feedback on this: it’s only one study that points in this direction, and there aren’t dozens of articles that corroborate its findings. In my practice – and having operated on thousands of patients for liposuction – I’ve never seen this.
And last but not least: liposuction is the most widely performed cosmetic surgery procedure in the world. If this problem were really known and recurring, we – liposuction specialists – would have known about it long ago and would be talking about it at our congresses and other professional meetings on the subject.
