Life after Liposuction: Keys to Keeping the Body You Love

By Christy Burns

Published on April 13, 2007

Liposuction patients might be surprised to discover that the most difficult aspect of the procedure is often not the surgery, itself. Nor is it the post-operational regimen of cotton pads, compression garments, and pain-relievers. For many patients, the hardest part of receiving liposuction is maintaining the slenderizing results and improved physique after their new figure is finally revealed.

Liposuction has surpassed breast augmentation as the most popular form of cosmetic surgery in the United States. According to a recent survey published in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 80 percent of liposuction recipients were satisfied with their results. Three-quarters of the respondents said that they would recommend the procedure to a friend or family member. However, in the same survey, nearly half of the patients reported that they had re-gained weight – not because the procedure had been ineffective, but because they had not taken the necessary steps to improve their overall physical well-being.

One of the most prevalent myths surrounding liposuction is that it is a tool for weight management. In reality, however, the goal of liposuction is to contour the figure by removing stubborn fat cells from targeted areas of the body. Although these fat cells are permanently removed, this does not mean that the patient can’t, or won’t, gain weight. After liposuction, it is absolutely crucial that patients make a long-term commitment to regular exercise and healthy eating.

If you are considering liposuction or have recently undergone the procedure, here are a few keys to keeping the body you love:

• If you don’t already have a gym membership, treat yourself to one – and a new set of chic exercise clothes while you’re at it.
• If a gym membership is out of reach, talk to your friends or family about starting a walking club – sharing your workout with people you love is the best two-for-one deal around.
• Eating healthy does not always have to mean eating less. Your primary goal should be to eat more of the right things. Cut down on sugars, carbohydrates, and saturated fats. Steer yourself away from over-processed foods like fruit snacks and chose more natural alternatives like a small bowl of strawberries.
• Keep a bottle of water with you at all times to keep yourself hydrated and prevent unnecessary snacking. If you’re in the mood for something other than H2O, try a glass of fresh juice (make sure it’s 100 percent, not made from concentrate).
• Get the salt off the table – limiting your sodium intake will help decrease bloating, dehydration, and high blood pressure.
• Keep a calorie journal for one week, documenting what and how much you eat – this will help you see where you’re overdoing it and identify which types of nutrients you’re missing.

Liposuction gives people a chance to look and feel better than they ever have. By managing your overall physical health through improved diet and exercise, you can feel confident that the results of your procedure will last.