Question 1

What is Liposuction?

Accepted Answer

Liposuction is a surgical procedure conducted by plastic surgeons. This operation works to remove fat on the body and is done while the patient is under anesthesia. Typically, a liposuction procedure is used on patients who are at a healthy body weight who are looking to remove fat on specific areas of their body such as the abdomen, waist, and thighs.

Question 2

Are there different types of liposuction procedures?

Accepted Answer

There are 5 different types of liposuction procedures that can be performed by plastic surgeons:

1. Tumescent Liposuction: This type of liposuction procedure uses a saline solution to suction the fat out of the body through small tubes. Tumescent liposuction is the most common type of liposuction procedure.

2. Dry Liposuction: Dry liposuction is similar to tumescent liposuction, however, no liquids are used to suction the fat out of the body. Therefore, this type of liposuction procedure can cause bruising or bleeding.

3. Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: An ultrasound-assisted liposuction procedure—also known as UAL—utilizes an ultrasound machine to “melt” the fat away on the body. UAL is used on areas of the body that have denser areas of fat, as the ultrasound works to break up the fat in the body. After using an ultrasound machine, suction liposuction is conducted to remove the broken up fat from the ultrasound-assisted liposuction.

4. Power-Assisted Liposuction: This form of liposuction—also known as PAS—uses a machine that moves back and forth, quickly, to make pulling out the fat easier for the plastic surgeon.

5. Laser-Assisted Liposuction: A laser-assisted liposuction procedure—also known as LAL—also uses a saline solution (similar to tumescent liposuction). Unlike the above liposuction procedures, laser-assisted liposuction is less invasive and uses small tubes inserted into the body that heats and “melts” the fat. After using a laser, a plastic surgeon will then train excess fluid from the body.

Question 3

Is Liposuction Permanent?

Accepted Answer

Whether or not a liposuction procedure provides permanent results is typically up to the patient. When done in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, liposuction patients can expect to have permanent fat-removal results. However, those patients who experience weight gain after lipo or continue on an unhealthy lifestyle can cause any remaining fat cells to grow larger creating unproportioned fat distribution in the body.

Question 4

Can Fat Return After Liposuction?

Accepted Answer

Fat does have the potential to return after liposuction if the patient does not take care of their body or live a healthy lifestyle. There are a few ways that fat returns after liposuction: the fat can come back in different places than it was “sucked” from during the procedure; if the post-op patient gains back weight more than the number that they were after their liposuction operation; or if fat does return, it can look disproportionate in the body.

Question 5

How Can I Keep Fat from Returning After Liposuction?

Accepted Answer

Even though fat can return in the body after liposuction, there are a few ways to prevent the fat from coming back to your body. One of the most commonly asked questions is if you can gain the weight back after liposuction. While you can, there are 3 ways to keep fat from returning to your body after liposuction: 

1. Maintain a weekly exercise routine: Some great examples of a healthy exercise regime include cardio exercise (including walking, running, or biking) and resistance training (using weights, weight machines, or resistance bands).

2. Eat a healthy diet: Focusing on eating a healthy diet that does not include processed junk foods and also includes a caloric deficit will help ensure that weight isn’t gained.

3. Follow the rules provided by your surgeon: After your procedure, your plastic surgeon will provide you with information on how to maintain your liposuction-induced weight loss. Following the doctor’s tips will help ensure you have the best results possible.

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What Is Liposuction & How To Keep Fat From Returning

Dr. Mehdi K. Mazaheri, MD, PC

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