Maintaining the slimming effects of liposuction over the long term is definitely a concern for many Denver cosmetic surgery patients. Although lipo does remove fat cells, that doesn’t mean that future weight gain is impossible. What are some of the ways you can protect the results from your liposuction?
Setting the Stage
Maintaining your new look following liposuction actually begins long before the procedure, through a proactive approach that sets you up for successful results in the first place. One of the most persistent misconceptions surrounding liposuction is that it functions as a weight loss solution. Although it’s true that a few pounds typically will be lost through the liposuction process, the primary goal of the procedure is to sculpt the body, not help you lose large amounts of weight.* So, the first step in protecting your lipo results is to reach your target weight before your appointment.
If you already eat well and enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle, but just have one or two problem areas that refuse to cooperate, then you’re an ideal candidate for liposuction. During lipo, a hollow wand is inserted through tiny incisions, and fat cells in those resistant deposits are withdrawn. This smoothes out the target area to improve the lines of your body, plus allows improved muscle tone and definition to become more visible.*
After your procedure, maintaining those healthy habits will continue to serve your body in good stead. Eating right gives your body the support it needs to promote healing, while avoiding the types of foods that pack on pounds can help you maintain your new shape.* Staying active is another way to prevent the development of excess weight, but be sure to get the all clear from your surgeon before resuming your regular exercise program.
Planning Ahead
As any Denver plastic surgeon will tell you, the fat cells withdrawn through liposuction are removed from your body. So, for example, if your love handles were slimmed down with lipo, the chances of building up those same deposits a second time are unlikely.* As long as you continue practicing the healthy habits that helped you reach your target weight in the first place, you should have no problems protecting your lipo results.
This does not mean that you can’t gain weight elsewhere on the body, however. If you eat lots of foods that easily convert to additional fat stores, like sugary foods and simple carbs, and your lifestyle is pretty sedentary, liposuction won’t prevent you from gaining weight.
Whether or not you’ve had liposuction, the risk of weight gain is dependent on your eating habits, exercise routine and your natural metabolism. Liposuction doesn’t affect any of these factors, nor will the procedure prevent future weight gain. Again, eliminating your love handles doesn’t mean you can’t gain weight in your tummy, thighs or upper arms.
Instead of thinking of lipo as a weight loss solution, instead think of it as a finishing touch. After you’ve gone through all the hard work of exercising and maintaining a target weight, lipo delivers the final polish.* Without continuing to take care of yourself, the results simply won’t last.
*This information is for education only, and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.