Determining what size you will wear after liposuction is an important question when considering the procedure. While liposuction can remove stubborn pockets of fat to contour the body, it does not target large amounts of weight loss. The amount of fat removed and resulting size change depends on your individual treatment plan and goals.
How much weight will I lose with liposuction?
Liposuction removes fat, not weight specifically. Patients can expect to lose anywhere from 1 to 10 pounds of pure fat. However, the amount of clothing sizes lost depends on several factors:
- The number of areas treated – Treating multiple areas like the abdomen, flanks, back, arms, and thighs will result in more fat removal and size loss compared to just one area.
- Volume of fat removed – Removing larger volumes of fat (up to 10 pounds) will have a greater impact on size than small volumes (1-2 pounds).
- Current weight and body fat percentage – Patients who are overweight but still have pockets of stubborn fat will see less size change than slimmer patients with good muscle tone.
- Skin elasticity – How well the skin tightens after lipo impacts the size change. Younger patients with good elasticity often downsize more.
- Muscle tone – Building muscle before and after lipo can help maintain a tighter, smaller silhouette.
On average, patients can expect to go down one to two clothing sizes after liposuction of multiple areas. Losing only one size is more common if only one part of the body is treated, like the abdomen.
How do I determine my new clothing size?
Here are some tips for determining your new size after liposuction:
- Get professional measurements – At your consult visits before and after surgery, have your surgeon or their team take measurements of your hips, waist, thighs, etc. Compare these to a size chart.
- Try on clothes – Once swelling has subsided about 6 weeks after surgery, try on clothes in your current and smaller sizes to see what fits best.
- Ask your surgeon – Based on the areas treated and volume removed, your surgeon can provide guidance on expected size changes.
- Take progress photos – Images taken before and weekly after surgery give a clear visual indication of shrinking silhouette.
- Use a measuring tape – Measure your waist, hips, thighs, arms, etc. and continue monitoring as you heal.
Keep in mind that size charts and brands vary. It’s a good idea to try on clothes rather than just going by the number size. If your current clothes are very tight or oversized, use your measurements along with the size chart to determine your new size.
What impacts my final results and clothing size?
How much you downsize after surgery depends on several surgical and lifestyle factors:
| Factor | Description | Impact on Size |
|---|---|---|
| Number of areas treated | Abdomen only vs. 360° treatment of abdomen, back, flanks, arms, thighs etc. | Treating multiple areas results in more size reduction. |
| Volume of fat removed | From minimal fat removal to maximum of 5 liters removed. | Removing larger volumes can decrease sizes more. |
| Compression garment use | Wearing a tight compression garment 24/7 for first 6 weeks. | Compression helps reduce swelling and encourages skin retraction for smaller silhouette. |
| Skin elasticity | Determined by age, genetics, sun damage, and smoking. | Younger patients with good elasticity will downsize more as skin tightens. |
| Healing & recovery | Following all post-op care instructions for proper healing. | Good healing leads to best possible results and size reduction. |
| Weight management | Maintaining a stable weight pre and post-op. | Weight gain can reverse size reductions from liposuction. |
| Exercise & toning | Building muscle with strength training pre and post-op. | Adding muscle creates a tighter, more compact silhouette. |
Be sure to discuss your goals and expected outcomes thoroughly with your surgeon. Following all pre and post-op instructions can help maximize your results.
How long will it take to see my new size?
It takes time for results to fully develop after liposuction. Here is a general timeline:
- First 2 weeks – Swelling and compression garment hide results.
- 2-4 weeks – Swelling improves and new contours start becoming visible.
- 1-3 months – Most swelling subsides, final results visible but still refining.
- 6+ months – Skin retraction complete, final result achieved.
Wearing your compression garment and following post-op instructions will help you get to your final new size faster. Be patient – it takes time for your body to heal and fluid retention to resolve.
Can I reach my goal clothing size?
It is possible to reach your goal size after liposuction if you have realistic expectations. Ideal candidates for reaching a specific size are:
- Already close to their goal size
- Have good skin elasticity
- At a stable weight
- Non-smokers
- Committed to healthy lifestyle
Those with significant weight to lose or lots of loose skin may be better candidates for procedures like tummy tuck or body lift surgery after major weight loss. Discuss your goals honestly with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
While there are no guarantees, following the recommended treatment plan and all pre and post-op care instructions gives you the best chance of achieving your desired clothing size after liposuction.
What if I don’t lose as many sizes as I want?
If you do not lose as many sizes as desired after liposuction, there are a few options:
- Give it time – Allow at least 6 months for full results and skin retraction before evaluating if you want more change.
- Improve diet & exercise – Toning up and losing a few pounds can help you drop another size.
- Additional procedures – Further liposuction, breast lift, arm lift, or tummy tuck may help you reach your goals.
- Accept results – If you have followed all post-op guidelines, your results may be the best your body can achieve through lipo alone.
Talk to your surgeon about why your results are not meeting expectations. Together, you can discuss the pros and cons of additional procedures or alternative options.
Conclusion
The amount of sizes lost after liposuction varies from patient to patient based on personal factors like skin elasticity, number of areas treated, and volume of fat removed. On average, patients can expect to go down 1-2 sizes. While clothing sizes can guide results, the real change is seen through measurements, photos, and how you look and feel.
Achieving your specific size goals is possible with modest expectations, a customized treatment plan, and following all pre and post-operative care instructions from your surgeon. Liposuction can create beautiful, natural-looking results – but it does require patience to see your final silhouette.