Does Fat Come Back After Liposuction? Can Fat Cells Regenerate After Removal?

Liposuction is one of the fastest ways to achieve your ideal curves. After a short surgical procedure, patients enjoy an instantaneous improvement in the treatment area. Downtime is minimal after liposuction, and most patients are back to regular activity in two weeks or less. Liposuction is fast, but does it last? Does fat come back after liposuction?
That’s a common question from patients who want to make sure the fat that’s sucked out via liposuction won’t grow back shortly after the procedure is through. Learn about liposuction Charlotte NC longevity, and get our best tips for maintaining your new look below.

Liposuction Basics: What Happens During the Procedure?

Modern medical innovation has brought us many techniques and tools for liposuction. We use many of the latest liposuction technologies at H/K/B to ensure our patients receive the safest and most effective options for their treatment. Although there are differences between each treatment type, most liposuction procedures share a common process.
Liposuction begins with a small incision, usually less than a quarter inch. The incision will be placed in an inconspicuous area with easy access to the treatment zone. The area is flushed with a diluted lidocaine and adrenaline solution. This increases comfort and reduces bleeding during treatment while making the fat cells easier to remove. A cannula, or thin metal tube is placed into the incision and suction is applied to remove fat cells. We may use a mechanical motorized device or ultrasonic energy to help loosen fat cells.
After sufficient fat removal and sculpting are achieved, we wrap the area with bandaging or a compression garment. This holds tissues in place and reduces postoperative swelling. Our surgeons often use surgical drains for a few days after liposuction. These drains collect fluid and significantly reduce swelling as well.
We often pair liposuction with fat transfer to enhance multiple areas on the body. The fat cells we remove can be used to restore or create volume in other areas of the body. Fat transfer is a relocation procedure for fat, removing it from areas with excess and implanting it in an area that needs extra volume.

Fat Cells and Regeneration: Does Fat Come Back After Liposuction ?

One of the most common questions we get from prospective liposuction patients: does fat grow back after liposuction has been performed?
The good news here is that, once liposuction is used to remove fat from a particular area, that fat will not grow back. With that said, some fat cells will remain, even once your procedure is through… and those fat cells can become bigger with weight gain.
Something else to note: If you do gain weight, it may seem to have a disproportionate effect on parts of your body that were not treated with liposuction. That’s because the areas that were treated will have fewer total fat cells remaining.

Maintaining Your Liposuction Results 

Fat cells don’t typically regenerate, but they can still grow. You can gain and lose weight after liposuction, both in the treated areas and elsewhere. Achieving a stable weight before surgery, and maintaining your post-liposuction weight through diet and exercise will ensure your results last as long as possible.
For example, let’s say you weigh 150 pounds before liposuction. Through your liposuction procedure, you lose a total of six pounds. Following your procedure, you’ll want to maintain a body weight of 144 pounds or less. If you gain weight over that number, you may start to notice it… although, if it’s just a pound or two, the effects will be very negligible. 
Most patients that remain at a stable weight will enjoy lifelong results from their procedure. Body composition changes, as you get older, may lead to new trouble spots. These trouble spots are areas we can treat with liposuction.
As for some specific steps for maintaining your lipo results, here’s what we would recommend:

• Follow all of the post-procedure instructions that your surgeon gives you. Not only will this help you maintain your results, but it will also ensure proper, healthy healing.
• Consume a healthy diet that’s focused on lean proteins and healthy sources of carbohydrates. Try to regulate total caloric intake, as well.
• Stay properly hydrated at all times, drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
• Never skip meals, but do consider making lifestyle changes such as eating several smaller meals throughout the day, as opposed to two or three big ones.
• Make sure you exercise regularly.

By following these guidelines, you should have no problem holding onto your liposuction results. And if you have any questions, you’re welcome to reach out to the team at H/K/B at any time.

Comparing Liposuction Results with CoolSculpting

Often, patients who are curious about getting liposuction also have an interest in CoolSculpting. As such, it may be helpful to evaluate CoolSculpting on the same terms. That is, it may be beneficial to discuss the extent to which CoolSculpting results stand the test of time.
When you get CoolSculpting, fat cells in the targeted area are literally frozen, destroyed, and expelled from the body. They do not grow back, nor will the body simply replace them with new fat cells. As such, most patients find that their CoolSculpting results withstand the test of time.
As with liposuction, though, we’ll offer a warning: The body won’t create new fat cells, but it can store more fat in the existing ones. For this reason, you’ll need to make every effort to maintain your CoolSculpting results. You can potentially do this simply by adopting a healthy lifestyle, including sound nutrition and regular exercise.
We are happy to offer both lipo and the best CoolSculpting® Charlotte NC sessions here at H/K/B. Reach out to us to learn more about the pros and cons of each.

Learn More About Getting the Best Liposuction Results

It’s time to start thinking about your summer body, and with liposuction, you will be bikini ready this summer, and many summers to come. Call H/K/B and schedule your liposuction consultation and to answer any questions you may have about “does fat come back after liposuction”. Our practice is proud to be a top provider of liposuction in Charlotte, NC.