Maintain Your Figure after Liposuction

Many people who are considering liposuction believe that they will no longer have to exercise and watch what they eat following the procedure, and that they will be able to maintain their new, streamlined figure without effort. However, while liposuction effectively trims fat from specific, targeted areas, there is no surgical procedure that can replace a healthy lifestyle. In fact, the December 2004 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® featured the results of a study showing that patients who do not follow a healthy diet after liposuction are three times more likely to gain weight, while patients who do not exercise after liposuction are four times more likely to gain weight. Use this page to learn more about why exercise and diet after liposuction are critical for liposuction patients who wish to maintain their figures.

Can I Gain the Weight Back after Liposuction?

While liposuction is an excellent way to reduce excess body fat in specific areas, the removal of certain fat cells is by no means a guarantee against weight gain. Adults have a fixed number of fat cells in their bodies, so the fat cells that are removed during liposuction will not regenerate. However, if patients do not observe a healthy diet and exercise routine after liposuction, the remaining fat cells can still grow and contribute to weight gain. Patients may also find that, if they do not make alterations to their exercise and diet routines after liposuction, they are more apt to gain weight in areas of their bodies that were not previously problematic, where the fat cells were left unaltered by their procedure. The most successful and satisfied patients are those who use their liposuction procedure as motivation to develop healthier eating and exercise habits.

How Soon Can I Exercise after Liposuction?

Before beginning any exercise routine after liposuction, it is important for patients to consult with their surgeons for specific and individual guidelines for liposuction recovery. Most plastic surgeons encourage patients to begin a gentle walking routine within three to four days of their liposuction. Mild exercise after liposuction is a critical defense against the formation of blood clots in the legs and other post-surgical complications. Patients can usually begin to increase their levels of activity within two weeks of their liposuction, but vigorous exercise after liposuction should be avoided for at least the first month to give the body time to heal.

Should I Follow a Diet after Liposuction?

Many patients use liposuction as a way to jump-start a healthier lifestyle, using their physical and financial investment in the procedure as motivation to take better care of their bodies. Keep in mind that, while liposuction may remove certain fat cells, it is not a cure for weight gain and does not change a patient’s metabolism. It is just as important for patients who have undergone liposuction to provide their bodies with vitamin- and mineral-rich foods and to closely monitor fat intake as it is for those who have not had liposuction. Furthermore, while excessive dieting is never a good idea, a healthy diet after liposuction is essential to maintaining a newly-sculpted figure.

Talk to a Liposuction Surgeon near You to Learn More

If you are considering liposuction to help shape and contour your body, you should understand that it is not a cure for excess body fat. Patients who undergo liposuction still need to maintain a healthy exercise and diet routine after liposuction. For further information on how to maintain your figure after liposuction, use our online directory to contact a cosmetic surgeon and liposuction professional in your area.