Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes fat from specific areas of the body. It is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed each year. A common question many people have is how much weight they will lose after liposuction. Here is a look at what to expect in terms of weight loss after liposuction.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat deposits between the skin and muscle. A plastic surgeon inserts a hollow instrument called a cannula through tiny incisions in the skin. The cannula is attached to a vacuum device that suctions out the fat. Liposuction can be performed on various areas of the body, including the:
- Abdomen
- Hips
- Thighs
- Buttocks
- Arms
- Neck
- Back
- Calves and ankles
Liposuction permanently removes the fat cells from treated areas. It produces slimmer, more contoured body areas. However, if weight is gained after the procedure, the distribution of fat may be different than before liposuction.
How Much Weight Loss Can You Expect?
Most patients can expect to lose anywhere from 1 to 10 pounds after liposuction. The amount of fat removed depends on:
- The number of areas treated
- The amount of fat in each area
- The volume of fat removed
Keep in mind that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. The goal is body contouring and slimming targeted areas. Patients who undergo liposuction typically have isolated fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.
Typical Fat Removal Amounts
Plastic surgeons usually follow recommended guidelines for fat removal limits during liposuction:
| Body Area | Maximum Fat Removal |
|---|---|
| Abdomen | 5,000 cc’s |
| Back | 3,000 cc’s |
| Buttocks | 3,000 cc’s |
| Thighs | 3,000 cc’s per thigh |
| Hips/Saddlebags | 3,000 cc’s per hip |
To put this into perspective, 1 cc of fat is roughly equivalent to 1 gram. So 5,000 cc’s removed from the abdomen is about 5,000 grams or 11 pounds.
Most patients can expect an average fat removal of 2,000 – 5,000 cc’s total. This translates to 4.4 to 11 pounds of fat. However, the weight loss on the scale may be less since the skin, tissue, and fluids that are removed during liposuction also have weight.
Factors That Influence Weight Loss
The amount of weight loss after liposuction depends on several factors:
Number of Areas Treated
The more body areas that are treated, the more fat that can be removed. Treatment of multiple areas allows for fat removal within safe limits per area.
Amount of Fat in Each Area
The distribution and amount of fat in each area will determine how much can be removed. Patients with minimal fat deposits in an area will lose less weight from that specific area.
Surgical Technique
The type of liposuction technique used impacts fat removal amounts. Some techniques remove fat more effectively than others.
Volume of Fat Removed
The total volume or amount of fat removed will determine total weight loss. Removing larger volumes of fat translates to more weight loss.
Skin Retraction
How well the skin retracts after liposuction affects appearance of weight loss. Loose, saggy skin can hide the true amount of fat removed during the procedure.
Weight Loss By Body Area
The typical amount of weight loss by body area after liposuction is:
Abdomen
Patients may lose 2 to 6 pounds from abdominal liposuction.
Flanks
Each flank or “love handle” area can lose 1 to 3 pounds.
Back
Back liposuction can remove 1 to 3 pounds of fat per side.
Arms
Removing excess fat from the arms may result in a loss of 1/2 to 2 pounds per arm.
Thighs
Thigh liposuction can remove 1 to 5 pounds per thigh.
Hips/Saddlebags
Reducing the hips can result in a 1 to 4 pound loss per hip/saddlebag area.
Neck
Patients can lose up to 1 pound with liposuction of the neck area.
Buttocks
Slimming the buttocks with liposuction may lead to a loss of 1 to 2 pounds per side.
Does Liposuction Lead to Overall Weight Loss?
Liposuction removes localized fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. It is not an overall weight loss solution. When large volumes are removed, patients may see a difference on the scale after surgery.
However, it is not uncommon to gain back some weight after liposuction. The remaining fat cells can enlarge again if caloric intake is not reduced after surgery.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Liposuction does not prevent future weight gain
- Diet and exercise are still necessary after surgery
- The scale may not reflect true weight loss due to skin and fluids removed
- Areas treated with liposuction will not regain fat, but other untreated areas may get larger
Patients who want noticeable weight loss in addition to body contouring may be better candidates for procedures like gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery.
Maintaining Your Results
The results of liposuction can be long-lasting with proper diet and exercise. Patients who gain a moderate amount of weight after liposuction will maintain their new shape.
But significant weight gain can impact your results. The untreated areas may accumulate more fat than the treated regions.
To help maintain your new contours after liposuction:
- Follow a healthy diet low in sugars and processed foods
- Engage in at least 30-45 minutes of exercise 3-4 days per week
- Drink 64 oz. of water daily to stay hydrated
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep per night
- Manage stress levels with relaxation techniques
- Wear compression garments as directed
Is Liposuction Worth It for Weight Loss?
Liposuction can enhance your figure by reducing localized fat bulges. But the modest weight loss is not likely to significantly impact your weight on the scale.
Liposuction is best suited for normal weight patients who are bothered by disproportionate fat deposits. They typically notice improvement in clothing fit more than the number on the scale.
Patients primarily concerned with weight loss instead of body contouring may be disappointed with their liposuction results. The more realistic expectations you have about weight loss from the procedure, the happier you will be with your results.
Conclusion
On average, patients may lose between 2 to 10 pounds after liposuction. The amount of weight loss depends on the number of areas treated, amount of fat removed per area, and total fat removed. While liposuction can provide significant fat reduction in targeted zones, it does not lead to dramatic overall weight loss.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle after surgery is key to retaining your results long-term. Liposuction can help you achieve the slimmer, sculpted body areas you want when you are already close to your ideal weight.