Liposuction and Weight Loss | Understanding the Difference

Liposuction is highly effective for eliminating bulges of fat and smoothing body contours that don’t respond to fitness and lean diets.  Liposuction is not a satisfactory method for weight loss. As with all cosmetic procedures, maintaining realistic expectations is the foundation for a good outcome. If you’re interested in liposuction, here are answers to some common questions to help you understand the difference between liposuction and weight loss:

Can liposuction get rid of belly fat?

Liposuction procedures are commonly used to remove small amounts of fat and improve the shape of the belly, hips, thighs, buttocks, back, arms, or face. Belly fat can occur either underneath the abdominal muscles or between the muscles and skin, and liposuction only addresses fat directly underneath the skin. Fat behind the abdominal muscles can only be reduced by traditional weight loss efforts.

Can liposuction eliminate cellulite or stretch marks?

Cellulite is the result of fat pushing against the skin while fibers simultaneously pull down on the skin, causing the distinctive dimpled look. Liposuction can remove the fat that’s pushing against the skin, but it does little for the fibers pulling on the skin, so the dimples often remain intact even after a liposuction treatment. Similarly, liposuction does not have an effect on stretch marks, which are scars just beneath the topmost layer of skin. Stretch marks can fade, but they usually don’t disappear completely.

Can liposuction tighten loose skin?

Loose or sagging skin is caused by a variety of factors: age, genetics, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations all have an impact on your skin’s elasticity. However, liposuction is focused on the fatty areas of the body, not the skin. Removing fat via liposuction or dramatic weight loss could result in loose leftover skin, which can be remedied with other cosmetic procedures. 

Does liposuction make you lose weight?

Contrary to its name, body fat does not actually weigh that much—it’s not as dense as muscle. Because liposuction is ideal for removing small collections of fat, the actual weight removed is minimal, so you won’t see much of a difference on the scale. If you have a high BMI (body mass index) and you desire significant downward adjustment of your body weight, consider a proven medical weight loss program like a 10x diet.  For more profound obesity, bariatric surgery might be a better option, with liposuction reserved for spot-reducing and body shaping smaller areas such as the neck, thighs, or flanks (“love handles”).

View Liposuction before and after photos here.

Is it easier to lose weight after liposuction?

While liposuction does not result in major weight loss, it’s common for patients to experience increased motivation for general health and serious exercise after body contouring procedures. Once you have the sculpted body you want, maintaining it isn’t difficult with a fitness routine and healthy eating. Incorporating more vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins into your diet and minimizing dense carbohydrates, fats, and synthetics will help maintain your liposuction results.

Liposuction and body contouring in San Diego at Feel Beautiful Plastic Surgery

If have localized areas of fat that you can’t seem to get rid of with diet and exercise, liposuction might be just what you need to finally achieve the body contours you’ve worked so hard for and want to achieve. At Feel Beautiful in San Diego, Dr. Laverson uses state-of-the-art equipment and employs the safest, most effective techniques in body contouring to help each patient get the beautiful results they desire. For more information on liposuction, fat transfer, Brazilian butt lift, or any of our other services and procedures or to schedule a consultation, fill out our contact form or call (858) 295-4001 today.