How Do I Maintain My Results After Liposuction?

Liposuction has long been considered an effective, dependable way for both men and women to achieve a trimmer, more attractive physique. Considering its reputation as a versatile and trustworthy body contouring option, it’s no surprise that liposuction is consistently the most popular cosmetic surgery performed in the US annually. Still, despite its immense popularity, there are still some common misconceptions about liposuction and what it can and cannot do.

For starters, patients must understand that liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss surgery. This means that patients should reach their goal weight before choosing to undergo liposuction and not expect to achieve considerable weight loss from their surgery. Lipo is meant to help treat stubborn pockets of fat that cannot be helped with diet and exercise alone.

Another common falsehood around liposuction is that the fat removed during surgery can never return. While it’s true that liposuction removes fat cells from the body that cannot regenerate, weight gain can lead to the development of new fat cells. To put it simply, it’s up to the patient to make the lifestyle changes necessary to help keep fat away after lipo. With this in mind, I’m happy to provide a few tips to help patients maintain their liposuction results.

The first step towards keeping up your results is getting regular exercise. In the days following your surgery when you are still recovering, you will have to avoid vigorous exercise, though I strongly recommend walking as much as possible during this time. Once you have fully recovered, try to develop a steady, consistent weekly exercise regimen to keep potential new fat cells from developing. That means a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of more vigorous aerobic activity every week.

Maintaining a healthy diet is also crucial. Unless you are making smart eating choices, your body won’t see the visible benefits of your weekly exercise. As a general rule, it’s helpful to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables while mixing in whole grains and lean protein. Try to limit your intake of sugars, simple carbohydrates and saturated fats. Additionally, make sure to drink plenty of water during the day. Keeping yourself hydrated will help control your hunger and assist your metabolism and digestion.

When performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, liposuction can be an excellent way for patients to achieve a slimmer, trimmer body contour. Still, undergoing liposuction is just one step towards achieving and maintaining your healthy new physique. To help get started contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today. And don’t forget to follow me on social media for tips, photos, and news from the world of cosmetic surgery.