After Liposuction, the Fat will Return and Redistribute in the Upper Abdomen, Shoulders and Triceps

Getting Rid of Extra Fat through Liposuction may just Prove to be a Case of Wishful Thinking

As is common with almost all cosmetic surgeries, liposuction also comes with its share of side effects. Some of the obvious side effects of the operation are bruising, swelling, dimpling, temporary scars and thrombophlebitis. Most of the people flocking to a cosmetic surgeon readily accept these side effects to achieve that perfect but elusive figure. However, most of them have not bargained for this fallout - that the fat that they are so eager to get removed by liposuction will return after some time and get redistributed in other parts of the body like upper abdomen, shoulders and triceps.

Getting rid of extra fat through liposuction may just prove to be a case of wishful thinking. This result has been published in the latest issue of Obesity after a study led by DR. Teri L. Hemandez and Dr. Robert H. Eckel of the University of Colorado.

For the study, non obese women wanting to undergo liposuction were randomly divided into two groups. The first group had liposuction on their thighs and lower abdomen while the second group serving as control was requested to refrain from the procedure. Both the groups were regularly monitored and underwent scans to observe the pattern of fat deposition in their bodies. The results confirmed what the researchers had feared. Within a year, the extra fat removed by liposuction was back on the body. Though it didn’t return at the same place, it was redistributed on the upper abdomen, shoulders and triceps in the arms.

Fat is pretty stubborn- it just refuses to go away

Liposuction is a surgical technique of removing extra fat deposits between the skin and muscle to improve the body’s shape. Prior to fat removal, a tumescent solution is injected into the treatment area. This solution contains a mixture of saline (saltwater), anesthetic (lidocaine), and a vasoconstrictor (epinephrine). The tumescent solution helps numb the area, minimize bleeding, and facilitate fat removal. During the procedure, a cannula connected to a potent suction device is inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. The cannula creates small tunnels through the fat and sucks the fat out. After the liposuction, these tunnels collapse thereby improving the body contour.

Compression garments or bandages are usually applied to the treated area to minimize swelling and support the new body contours. You may be advised to wear these garments for several weeks following the procedure. Pain medication and antibiotics may be prescribed to manage discomfort and reduce the risk of infection. The recovery period varies for each individual, but most people can return to work and light activities within a week or two.

As liposuction completely destroys the fishnet structure under the skin where the fat was deposited prior to the procedure, new fat cells do not grow in this area.

Read More: Accusuction - Dr. Howard Bellin's Liposuction Technique vs. Conventional or Tumescent Liposuction

However, according to Dr. Rudolph Liebel, an obesity researcher at Columbia University, one cannot deceive Mother Nature. Fat is pretty stubborn- it just refuses to go away. The life of a fat cell is normally around seven years. When one fat cell dies, it is replaced by another. Body tends to defend its fat by all means. Whether you diet or you undergo a liposuction, the fat comes back. It just gets redistributed to newer areas.

Liposuction has been a rage for figure conscious women for quite some time now. There were no earlier studies done to see how the body responds to the removal of fat surgically. This is because the process involved a lot of expenditure, required exact measurement of fat using body scans, and the interpersonal relationship between the surgeons and their patients forbade the surgeons from subjecting their wards to random clinical trials. But the results of this study are an eye opener.

To minimize the chances of fat redistribution and maintain the results of liposuction, it is crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet. Because once the fat is deposited, it is really very hard to get rid of it. These lifestyle factors play a significant role in maintaining overall body weight and body composition. By staying active and consuming a well-rounded diet, you can help reduce the likelihood of significant weight gain and fat redistribution.

It's important to note that liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss or a solution for obesity. Liposuction is typically recommended for individuals who are close to their ideal weight but have stubborn areas of localized fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.