Year in and year out, liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. That’s no surprise considering the success of the procedure in removing stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to changes in diet or exercise. Dr. Lipton performs liposuction to give his patients a new slimmer contour. Here are some answers to questions we often hear.
Will the fat cells grow back after liposuction?
As you would imagine, the fat cells that are suctioned away with liposuction are gone permanently. And fat is less likely to rebuild in the areas treated. However, if the patient then gains a significant amount of weight, say 10% of his or her body weight, new fat cells can develop. But if the patient doesn’t gain weight the new contour is permanent.
If I gain weight does the fat come back to the treated areas?
Fat usually doesn’t return in the treated areas provided the patient doesn’t gain a significant amount of weight. Lesser weight gains will have fat that accumulates in untreated areas.
What if I get pregnant after liposuction?
While pregnancy involves weight gain, it doesn’t automatically affect the results of your liposuction. If you have liposuction and later become pregnant, you’ll gain weight, obviously. But if you then lose the weight from your pregnancy, your original liposuction improvements will remain, just as if you had not become pregnant. So the decision to have liposuction doesn’t need to be tied to whether you want to have children or not down the road.
How many pounds of fat can be removed?
There is a limit to the amount of fat that can be safely removed in a single liposuction procedure. The maximum amount of fat that can be removed safely is about 6 to 8 pounds. If more than 6 to 8 pounds of fat needs to be removed, it is safest to divide the liposuction into separate surgical procedures each separated by 3 to 4 weeks.
How long will it take to see results?
Most patients will see 90 percent of their ultimate liposuction results within one to three months after surgery. For the first few weeks after surgery there will be postoperative swelling, so you won’t be able to see your final contour. The amount and duration of swelling are predicated on how large the areas treated by Dr. Lipton, and the technique used.
Will liposuction help my cellulite?
No. Cellulite is caused by the way a woman’s skin is stratified. It has nothing to do with fat pockets, so liposuction does not affect cellulite.
If you have other questions about liposuction, or if you want to schedule a consultation, call Dr. Lipton at 972-420-0023.
