Liposuction Can Refine Your Shape but It Isn’t for Weight Loss

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed every year, with over 200,000 lipo procedures performed on men and women in 2020.

Despite the popularity of liposuction, there are still many misconceptions about what liposuction really does and how it helps with body contouring.

Many people assume that lipo is for weight loss, as it removes fat cells. But is lipo for weight loss? Can you expect average inches lost after lipo? The truth is probably not what you would expect.

Liposuction and Weight Loss

Liposuction is a procedure that uses a small, specialized tool called a cannula to remove fat cells to help eliminate stubborn body fat and provide body contouring. While lipo removes fat cells it doesn’t really remove weight.

In fact, most surgeons will not consider liposuction unless you are at or near your ideal body weight. Surgeons typically limit the amount of fat removed during a procedure to 11 pounds or less, so the most you can expect to lose from this procedure is one to 10 pounds.

The fat cells removed during liposuction are gone forever. However, that doesn’t mean new fat cells can’t develop in the same area and affect your liposuction results. If you maintain a healthy weight and stay active, you should be able to maintain your new body contours.

Will You Lose Inches with Lipo?

Losing inches isn’t always a guarantee when it comes to liposuction either. In many cases, while you will see changes in the appearance of your body and see the contours you desire, the number on the tape measure may not drop.

Factors, such as how much fat tissue remains, the location of your liposuction and the elasticity of your skin can affect the number of inches lost.

A 1999 study looked at the average inches lost from liposuction of different areas, such as the arms or abdomen. On average, participants experienced a 3-inch loss in the waistline and a 0.5-inch loss on the arms.

If you are considering liposuction, but still wondering how it can really help you, Dr. Scot Martin is here to answer all your questions. In some cases, he may recommend combining liposuction with a tummy tuck to get the results you desire.

To see if you are a good candidate for lipo, contact us online or call 575-521-7111 to schedule an office consultation today.