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Q: Liposuction ( Answered,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Liposuction
Category: Health > Beauty
Asked by: euphrates-ga
List Price: $30.00
Posted: 29 Jul 2004 05:25 PDT
Expires: 28 Aug 2004 05:25 PDT
Question ID: 380694
I am considering having liposuction, however, I have read in magazine
articles that body sculpting may have undesirable consequences.  While
I may have the slim thighs, tummy and waist I've been after, I could
end up with with fat on unusual parts of my body if I were to gain
weight after the surgery.  Will I end up with a fat neck or an extra
padding of fat on my back?  I understand plastic surgery is not an
alternative to proper diet, nor is it an excuse to pack on the
calories post-op.  However, I think it's reasonable to assume that one
will gain weight as one ages, or, if one becomes pregnant (as I am
hoping to do in the next 5 years or so - I'm currently 34).
Answer  
Subject: Re: Liposuction
Answered By: umiat-ga on 29 Jul 2004 12:37 PDT
 
Hello, euphrates-ga! 

 I have compiled some references for you so that you can make an
informed decision concerning liposuction surgery. I think it is
unrealistic to assume that you cannot gain weight after liposuction.
Liposuction can eliminate or reduce the number of fat cells in a
specific area of the body. Some fat cells do remain in the sculpted
area, however, and you can still gain some fat in those regions if you
do not watch your weight, Fortunately, you will not have as many fat
cells to fill, so your proportions will remain smaller and it should
be easier to maintain you shape if you keep fit.

 You might also want to consider the condition of your skin.
Liposuction works best for those who have smooth, taught skin that can
bounce back into it's new shape. If your skin is stretched or saggy to
begin with, liposuction might merely make it look worse. Liposuction
is also not a remedy for cellulite.

 For an overview of liposuction surgery, the various techniques and
complications, please read "Liposuction." Published by BUPA's Health
Information Team. March, 2003
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Liposuction.html
 


WEIGHT GAIN AFTER LIPOSUCTION
==============================

Liposuction.com has an excellent overview concerning the types of
results that can be achieved with liposuction and the possibility of
future weight gain. I have excerpted a few of the highlights, but
please review it for a complete picture of what you can truly expect.
http://www.liposuction.com/faqs/realistic_expectations.php

Does liposuction produce permanent results?

"After liposuction the new body?s shape is more or less permanent. If
a patient does gain a moderate amount of weight after liposuction,
then the figure will simply be a larger version of the new body shape.
Fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. If the
patient does not gain excessive amounts of weight, then the new more
pleasing silhouette is permanent. Of course after liposuction the
clock keeps ticking, and advancing age will produce the usual changes
in the shape of the body associated with the aging process.
Nevertheless, the benefits of liposuction will always be apparent."


Will the fat cells grow back after liposuction?

"Liposuction removes fat cells permanently. The fat cells that are
removed by liposuction can never come back, however if the patient
gains a significant amount of weight, then new fat cell can develop.
With a small weight gain, existing fat cells simply get bigger by
accumulating more fat within the existing cell. However, with an
increase of more than 10% of body weight one can expect new fat cell
development in all areas of the body, including areas previously
treated by liposuction. As an adult gains larger amounts of weight,
increasing numbers of fat cells (lipocytes) are formed from existing
pleuripotential connective tissue cells by a process of
differentiation. Existing connective tissue cells first change into
immature fat cells (lipoblasts), and then develop into mature fat
cells with progressive obesity."


Where does the fat go when a person gains weight after liposuction?

"If a patient gains a significant amount of weight, say more than 10
pounds (5 kg), after liposuction, then the fat must go somewhere on
the body. In fact, the fat accumulates in all areas of the body in
proportion to the amount of fat cells in each area. Areas where fat
cells have been removed by liposuction will accumulate relatively
little fat, while in areas not treated by liposuction relatively more
fat will be deposited. For example, if a woman gains weight after
liposuction of her hips, outer thighs, and abdomen, then
proportionally more of the fat will be deposited elsewhere such as the
woman?s breasts, face, back and legs."


If I do not gain weight, does fat come back in the treated areas? 

"If a patient does not gain weight after liposuction, then fat does
not come back in the treated areas. However liposuction does not stop
the aging process. It is natural for the size and location of the
body?s fat deposits to change gradually with increasing age. Despite
expected changes with aging, the results of a successful liposuction
should always be apparent."


What can I expect if I get pregnant after liposuction?

"Pregnancy does not permanently alter the results of liposuction. If a
woman has liposuction and subsequently becomes pregnant, gains weight,
gives birth and finally loses the excess weight of pregnancy, then her
original liposuction improvements will return, just as if she had
never been pregnant."


==


From the website of Dr. Jeffrey Melton, MD, Director of Cosmetic Surgery, 
Department of Dermatology, University of Illinois at Chicago
http://www.drmelton.com/Chicago/Liposuction/Can_I_still_gain_weight_after_/still_gain_weight.html
 
Q. "Can I still gain weight after liposuction?

A. "Yes. Absolutely.  And you can probably gain weight after
liposuction just as easily as before liposuction. The only difference
is that liposuction will influence where you will gain the weight. 
You will not tend to gain it (or, rather increase the size of the fat
deposits) in the same places as you did before liposuction.
Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, nor will it prevent you
from gaining weight afterwards.  It will only change your relative
proportions.


==


According to "ESTHETICS... information about cosmetic plastic surgery,"
http://www.phudson.com/LIPOSUCTION/weightgain.html
 
Gaining back weight:

"When fat cells are removed with liposuctioning they cannot come back.
Increasing weight is distributed more evenly through the remaining fat
cells. If the areas of predisposed fat accumulation are removed then
the fat is no more likely to appear there than anywhere else.

* Even if you become pregnant localized fat accumulation in your
predisposed areas is unusual after liposuction."


Are patients always happy with the results?

"One of the most significant issues in whether patients like or
dislike the result the result of liposuction, is the area treated.
After liposuction most patients are happy with the result. The areas
where complications are less common and satisfaction is most likely
include the abdomen, outer thigh, calf and knees.

"Although good results are anticipated, patients are less likely to be
happy with the results in the buttocks and inner thigh and following
suction of the breast in men for gynecomastia."

"Dissatisfaction usually occurs because of irregularity and over or
under resection of fat. Ultrasonic liposuction may offer advantages in
some situations. Because it is more effective in removing fibrous fat
it is suggested that it is helpful to "redo" areas previously treated
with traditional liposuction."


====


From "Tumescent Liposuction - Can I Gain Weight after Surgery?"
http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/faq/faq_lipo_gainweight.htm

"Tumescent Liposuction removes fat cells from localized parts of the
body. Some cells are left behind intentionally. If too much fat is
removed, the skin will stick unnaturally to the underlying muscle and
tissues. The remaining fat cells can still store unused energy. For
those who eat more than they use with exercise, the extra energy will
be put away as fat. The distribution of where you put on the fat may
be different after Tumescent Liposuction surgery."


===


From "Liposuction Surgery." SmartLiposuction.com
http://www.smartliposuction.com/recovery.html

"Major weight gain or loss after liposuction can produce skin surface
irregularities. The final result may not be clear until 6 months after
surgery. Many people assume that because liposuction permanently
removes fat cells, it's impossible to regain weight in the treated
areas. This is only partially true. Adults have a fixed number of fat
cells, and liposuction removes some of these cells permanently. The
remaining fat cells can grow bigger, especially if you do not exercise
and maintain a healthy diet. This means problem spots can return.
However, weight gain after liposuction will usually be distributed to
other parts of your body instead of settling back into the old problem
areas."

==


From "What Happens When Someone Has Liposuction And Then Gains
Weight?" Best Doctors.
http://www.bestdoctors.com/en/askadoctor/g/gouverne/mlgouverne_022100_q6.htm

"People have thought if you have the fat removed and then you gain
weight, it doesn't come back in the area that you've removed it from,
but it comes back in disproportionate layers somewhere else. That
doesn't happen - it's an urban legend. It doesn't come back in
different or funny layers. If liposuction was done correctly, and an
unsightly bulge was removed, after weight gain that bulge will not
grow out of proportion to other areas."

"Fat cells are not like other parts in our body. They don't divide -
they just get bigger, and if you gain weight, they get plumper. When
you lose weight, they get skinnier. It's not good to gain weight, and
that's a failure of the outcome of the procedure - if you're unable to
control your weight. Your body can shrink and grow, depending on
weight loss, but that funny disproportion should disappear after
liposuction."


==


Finally, the degree of success achieved with liposuction is still a
matter of ongoing debate, as evidenced by this final reference, which
is presents teh

From "Liposuction -- permanent fat removal?| Go Ask Alice. April 23, 2004 
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1150.html

"According to some experts, liposuction does not result in permanent
fat removal; however, others believe that fat removal is permanent.
Liposuction is still a relatively new cosmetic procedure that
selectively removes fat from the body. Considering the dearth of
scientific research on the long-term success of liposuction, due to
the high cost and difficulties of conducting such research, the debate
will likely continue for some time."

"The long-term outcomes that we do know of, have been based on
anecdotal information rather than hard science. These anecdotes appear
to indicate that anything can happen after liposuction: some people
have been able to maintain the changes without any fat growth or
regrowth; other individuals have had partial growth/regrowth; and,
still others have had complete growth/regrowth, with some even gaining
in excess of their pre-liposuction fat amounts."

..."Furthermore, liposuction, or any kind of surgical removal of fat
cells, only removes very few fat cells (<10%) relative to the large
number in the body."

Read more...


==


 I hope these references help you to determine whether liposuction can
produce the types of results that you want. Provided that you maintain
a healthy and fit lifestyle, liposuction can be successful for those
who have stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and
exercise. However, it is still considered a risky operation and not
something to take likely.

 Whatever you decide, I wish you the best!


Sincerely,

umiat 


Google Search Strategy
weight gain after liposuction
Comments  
Subject: Re: Liposuction
From: disca005-ga on 11 Mar 2005 05:43 PST
 
Hi, euphrates-ga

http://www.mediscapes.com/medical_procedures/cosmetic_plastic.htm#liposuction

this site will give you more information about where the liposuction
procedure could take place.
Subject: Re: Liposuction
From: warpedmind-ga on 11 Mar 2005 06:38 PST
 
Euphrates-ga,

Whether or not you decide to go the liposuction route is your personal
decision.  It is a quick fix for now, but by no means a cure all, a
fact you've already indicated you recognize.

Removing fat cells from an area will tend to result in the possible
"re-zoning" of where your body stores its fat.  However, this does not
mean that you will never have issues with fat again, nor does it mean
that the liposuctioned area will never have fat again.

While there are some with a medical need for liposuction in order to
get their life back, many simply see it as a quick dream fix.  But
lipo does not address the psychological, emotional, and mental issues
that may lead to one's weight gain.  Even if your plastic surgeon gave
you "the perfect body", it would not necessarily remain such unless
you address whatever issues resulted in your original weight gain, as
well as develop good eating habits and exercise regularly.

I personally am working on a website for people just like you.  The
location is http://www.hazardouswaist.com .  It is not ready yet, but
keep an eye on it.  In the meantime, there are two websites that I
feel will help you with these issues.  You may wish to check them out.
 I highly recommend them, not only for their effectiveness, but also
for their approach to addressing ALL issues involved with weight gain.

The first is http://www.kettlebell.com .  You may have heard about
kettlebells.  They are very popular right now.  This is an old
fashioned piece of weight equipment from traditional Russia, but is
critically acclaimed for building strength, muscle, and burning fat
right off your body.  It is a very effective means of exercise.  This
site also has general training advice for every fitness need.  There
is also a forum where you can get support for your goals.

The second is http://www.clubbell.com .  This is an excellent site
that introduces you to a brand new approach to fitness, called
Circular Strength Training.  Scott Sonnon is very into the whole
mind-body-spirit approach.  You will find that clubbells not only keep
that fat from building up, but that, with the help of the people at
that site, you can also address the more inner issues that may result
in your personal case of weight gain.

I hope that this information will prove beneficial to you.  I realize
that it is very frustrating to lose those pounds and to know what to
do to get into shape, but you can do it!  Just hang in there, have a
good attitude, love and respect yourself, and check out those sites
for valuable exercise tips and motivation.  Whether you choose lipo or
not is your decision... just remember that the issue of weight loss
goes deeper than the actual fat you remove from a quick medical
procedure.

Take care.  I wish you all the best.

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