After getting a tummy tuck with liposuction, is it possible to gain weight? Will your body store fat in new places? What will happen if you gain weight after liposuction? These are some of the most common questions asked about body contouring procedures.
Separate fact from fiction by reading through these tips to help you optimize your tummy tuck with liposuction results.
Reach and Maintain a Healthy, Stable Weight First
To see the best body contouring results, it’s essential that you’re able to reach and maintain a healthy weight for several months prior to your abdominoplasty with liposuction. That means no yo-yo dieting just to reach your target weight right before your procedure. The majority of people who yo-yo or crash diet do not end up keeping the weight off for a long period of time.
Instead of focusing on losing pounds, focus on how you feel when trying to lose weight. This will help you make healthier choices.
Understand the Limitations of Body Contouring Surgery
Tummy tucks and liposuction are cosmetic procedures aimed at removing and tightening excess skin and muscle tissue, as well as getting rid of isolated pockets of stubborn fat. These procedures do have limitations and are not weight loss treatments.
While there are some exceptions, it’s generally recommended that you reach a BMI of under 30 prior to moving forward with a cosmetic procedure. This is both for your safety and to help you maximize the results of your drain-free tummy tuck. The closer you can come to your target weight before your procedure, the more comprehensive your results can be.
Keep up with Healthy Eating and Exercise Habits
It is still possible to gain weight after a tummy tuck and/or liposuction. While a 5-pound weight gain isn’t likely to noticeably affect your results, larger amounts of weight can alter your body shape. The best way to maintain long-lasting results after body contouring surgery is to keep up with your same healthy diet and exercise habits as you may have developed prior to your procedure.
Fill your plate with lots of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables, and go light on sugar, saturated fats and processed foods. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous cardio activity each week.
Don’t Buy into the Myths about Liposuction Results
There are lots of myths out there surrounding how fat can or cannot accumulate in your body after liposuction. Because liposuction removes some of the fat cells in the treated area, new weight gain may be more evenly distributed throughout your body than before. However, you can still gain weight in areas treated with liposuction and abdominoplasty.
Also, liposuction does not cause fat to suddenly pop up in other areas of your body. Rather, poor eating and exercise habits trigger new weight gain, which might be stored in new areas for the reason stated above.
Dr. Eric Mariotti, a board-certified plastic surgeon, is known throughout the East Bay for his genuine compassion and the remarkable results he creates. Women and men come to his plastic surgery practice in Concord because he is highly trained and experienced, and has a caring personality. His patients think of him as a down-to-earth guy who happens to be a talented plastic surgeon.
