Liposuction is a popular, effective aesthetic procedure that sculpts the physique by removing stubborn, exercise-resistant fat. Although it can be performed on its own with excellent outcomes, it is well-known for being combined with other cosmetic procedures for both the face and body to optimize and enhance results.
While patients will notice improvements in their appearance with each passing week after liposuction, it is important to recognize the longer-term consequences of the procedure and how to extend the longevity of your transformation. In this blog, Dr. Nitin J. Engineer, a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon in Las Vegas, NV, discusses how to best maintain your liposuction results over time.
How Long Do Liposuction Results Last?
As long as you adhere to a healthy lifestyle, liposuction results are usually considered lasting and sustainable. The fat cells removed during the procedure are unable to grow back. However, the fat cells left behind in the targeted areas may expand or contract if your weight fluctuates.
How Does the Body Change Over Time?
As long as you stick to a healthy diet and exercise regimen after liposuction, your sculpted physique will remain intact years after your procedure. However, even if you maintain a stable weight, the body will continue to age, affecting your skin elasticity and muscle tone. With time, your overall liposuction results may diminish slightly. The areas most likely to transform over time include the following:
- Stomach – Liposuction can transform the midsection, especially when combined with a tummy tuck or mommy makeover. However, the belly can be especially prone to fat accumulation in relation to weight gain or hormonal shifts during menopause.
- Hips and thighs – The hips and thighs are areas that are notoriously resistant to exercise and are often, therefore, targeted by liposuction. When the patient’s weight fluctuates, lipo results may be impacted. Fat content in the hips and thighs can also be influenced by genetics and hormonal fluctuations.
- Arms – While liposuction can help reshape the upper arms by trimming excess fat, aging can cause skin laxity, which may alter your aesthetic results with time.
No area of the body is truly immune to changing or evolving after liposuction is performed. For this reason, it is critical that you remain at a stable, healthy weight after your procedure. This will help to minimize shifts in your figure over time. Unfortunately, issues like hormonal fluctuations, genetics, and aging are factors over which patients have less control.
What Happens If I Gain Weight After My Liposuction Procedure?
Gaining several pounds after liposuction may only subtly impact your outcome. However, if you put on a more significant amount of weight, you may notice more profound changes in your appearance. Despite this, weight gain will not entirely reverse your results in the treated areas. You may gain more weight in the parts of the body not treated with lipo. As an example, if you underwent liposuction in the abdomen but not in the upper arms and you gain weight, you may notice it more in your arms than in your belly.
Patients may be able to gain anywhere from 5–20 pounds before their weight gain impacts their liposuction results. However, the amount of weight your frame can sustain is typically due to multiple factors, including your height. Taller individuals with broader frames may be able to gain more weight without it negatively influencing their lipo results. People with smaller frames have fewer areas for the fat to hide and may see their liposuction results compromised faster and more easily if they gain weight.
What Happens If I Lose Weight Post-Liposuction?
If you lose weight after liposuction, the fat cells in the treated areas may continue to shrink after your procedure. However, if you lose too much weight, it could lead to loose, sagging skin in the targeted regions. This may combine with the effects of aging or genetics to compromise your liposuction results. The amount of weight you can safely lose without impacting your lipo outcome varies from patient to patient. This is again influenced by your frame, height, and other factors.
What Is the Best Way to Maintain My Liposuction Results?
While certain changes in my body may be unavoidable, there are a few guidelines you can follow to help you maintain your liposuction results as long as possible.
- Adhere to a nutritious diet – Choose a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins, consuming an abundance of veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This will help you avoid weight fluctuations that can throw your results off track. It is also critical to stay properly hydrated and drink plenty of fluids and water, as this helps to preserve skin elasticity.
- Optimize your workouts – When exercising, choose both strength training and cardio for the best results. Cardio can help burn calories, while weight lifting can tone your muscles and safeguard skin elasticity.
- Attend all follow-up visits – Another essential component of maintaining your liposuction results is to stay connected to your surgical team. They can advise you if any concerns arise and help you to stay motivated in terms of adhering to an ideal lifestyle. If any complications arise after liposuction, your surgical team can step in to correct issues before they lead to significant problems.
What Is the Takeaway?
After liposuction, it is important to understand the ways in which the body can potentially change over time. Factors such as aging, genetics, hormonal shifts, and weight fluctuations can all play a role in altering your final cosmetic results. Of these factors, weight fluctuation is the one over which patients have the most control. By maintaining a stable, healthy weight and adhering to a nutritious diet, you can ensure that your liposuction outcome continues to be a source of pride and confidence for years to come.
Looking to Learn More About Liposuction in Las Vegas? Contact Engineered Aesthetics Today to Book a Private Consultation!
Dr. Nitin J. Engineer is a trusted body sculpting authority in the Las Vegas area who has delivered customized, lasting results and a seamless treatment experience for over 10 years. His compassionate demeanor and insistence on patient safety have made him among the most sought-after liposuction experts in the region. If you would like to learn more about how the procedure can streamline your physique and restore your quality of life, reach out to us today to book a private consultation.
