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Liposuction was one of the top five plastic surgery procedures of last year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Their data reveals that 235,237 liposuction procedures were performed, which was a 6 percent increase over the previous year. That means that hundreds of thousands of patients enjoyed the noticeable improvement in body shape that liposuction provides. Dr. Dennis Bucko is one of the most experienced liposuction experts in San Diego. He performed the first liposuction in San Diego County in 1985 after being trained by the famed originator of the procedure, Dr. Yves Gerard Illouz, in Paris, France.

Some of the San Diego liposuction candidates that Dr. Bucko encounters in consultation are curious as to how long the results typically last. Before proceeding with liposuction surgery, they want to know the likelihood of fat returning after liposuction.

If you are considering liposuction but have concerns about the longevity of the results, this blog post is for you.

Permanent Reduction in Fat

Liposuction involves using a hollow tube called a cannula to break up fatty tissue and gently suction it from a targeted area of the body. Once fat is removed from the body, it is permanently gone and cannot return. The body won’t generate new fat cells after the onset of adulthood. As long as the patient maintains his or her weight, the results of liposuction should be largely preserved.

With that in mind, it is not impossible for some of the fat to return to treated areas. If a patient gains a considerable amount of weight after liposuction, the fat cells throughout the body — including those remaining in the treated area — can enlarge. There may be an uneven distribution of fat, depending on where the extra fat is stored and how much is gained. This is true for significant weight gain (e.g., 10 percent of the body’s overall weight); 5 to 10 pounds probably won’t make much of a difference. After liposuction removes fat cells, there are fewer fat cells in the treated area so it is less likely to be stored in that area. If you do gain weight, it will be more evenly distributed because of the liposuction procedure.

Maintaining Liposuction Results Long-Term

Liposuction patients that want to enjoy long-term success should do the following:

  • Follow all post-operative instructions provided by the surgical team
  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
  • Practice portion control
  • Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water
  • Avoid crash or fad diets
  • Exercise regularly
  • Not smoke
  • Not drink in excess

Speak to Our San Diego Liposuction Surgeon

To learn more about how liposuction can contour “problem areas” and improve body shape, call or email Belladerma Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Care Center and request an informational consultation with Dr. Bucko.