One of the biggest misconceptions about liposuction is that it is a weight loss surgery. Once you undergo liposuction, the weight will be gone and won’t return, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t quite the case. So, what exactly does liposuction involve, and how can you maintain the results after your procedure?

How does liposuction work?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure which removes stubborn excess fat from various areas of the body. However, most people are unaware of the different fat types stored in our bodies. The types of fat which are present in the body include:

Subcutaneous fat: Liposuction removes subcutaneous fat located right under the skin. If you can see or pinch the fat, that will be subcutaneous. Everyone has subcutaneous fat. However, lifestyle choices will impact how much fat there is. This fat is generally considered harmless and will not necessarily cause health problems. Instead, it can cause aesthetic problems as the fat is visible.

Visceral fat: this type of fat surrounds the internal organs of the abdomen, like the stomach and liver. Unlike subcutaneous fat, it cannot be removed through liposuction. Excessive amounts of visceral fat can cause additional health problems such as heart disease or high blood pressure.

Liposuction will remove subcutaneous fat from certain areas of the body. This could be the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs or arms, to name a few areas. Once the liposuction has been completed, the fat cells from the target area will have been removed, and these fat cells will not return. However, you will still have fat cells in areas of the body where you did not have liposuction. This means that you will still be able to gain weight in those areas of the body. If you had liposuction on the abdomen, you would still be able to gain weight on your hips and thighs. You will also still have visceral fat in the body, making you appear as if you have gained weight.

How to maintain results after liposuction

We understand that choosing to undergo liposuction is a big decision, and you will understandably want the results of your procedure to last as long as possible. So what steps can you take to help you maintain results?

1. Regular physical exercise

Liposuction is generally recommended for those who have already lost weight and now have stubborn pockets of fat that they cannot lose. Unfortunately, having liposuction does not mean you now get to avoid exercise. Instead, you will need to follow a consistent exercise regime. This will help you to avoid gaining weight in the areas that were not treated. While it is recommended that you engage in exercise, remember to follow your surgeon’s instructions during the recovery period. In the first few weeks following your liposuction procedure, you must avoid strenuous physical exercise, including any heavy lifting. You will be encouraged to undertake light physical activity, such as walking, to encourage good blood circulation and prevent blood clots. Your surgeon can tell you exactly what activities you should avoid and for how long. It is important to follow these instructions to avoid any post-op complications.

Many people mistakenly believe it is possible to lose fat from specific body areas with certain types of exercises. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When a person loses weight, they lose it from everywhere. This is why the Brazilian butt lift or BBL, which is a combination of 360 liposuction with fat transfer to the buttocks, is such a popular procedure in the UK. Many people are keen to reduce the size of their waist but may love the size and shape of their hips, which may help give them an hourglass appearance. Weight loss from exercising and diet will help to flatten the stomach but will also reduce the desired areas of fat in the hips and buttocks.

Once the recovery period has finished, you should resume your regular exercise regime. Try to include some form of physical activity in your daily routine. This will help you to maintain the liposuction results and avoid gaining weight.

2. Healthy diet

You should also follow a healthy diet as well as a good exercise regime. You should try and avoid foods which are high in sugar and saturated fats, carbohydrates and processed foods. Instead, try to increase your intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats. Make sure your diet includes enough protein and fibre. Make sure to be aware of how you are cooking your food – you may wish to avoid deep frying and using butter. Eating several small meals throughout the day will not only help to maintain energy levels and keep you sustained, but it will help you to avoid snacking on unhealthy food.

3. Keeping well hydrated

Keeping your post-op body doesn’t just depend on what food you eat and how active you are. Your water consumption also has an important role to play. Drinking enough water will help to maintain a good metabolism and will help with your digestion. Try drinking water before you have a meal – this can help to make you feel full, which can help you to avoid overeating. It is generally recommended that you consume eight-ounce glasses of water per day, however, this will vary depending on factors such as your body type and metabolism.

4. Minimising stress

In addition to a good physical diet – you need to ensure you have good mental health as well. Stress can cause you to gain weight. When your cortisol levels are raised, you will begin to crave unhealthy foods. High levels of cortisol are associated with increased levels of belly fat. To avoid stress, you will need to learn how to relax and dedicate some time during the day just to focus on yourself and your health. Exactly what helps you relax will vary from person to person. Some people will enjoy meditation and taking a bath, while others will find physical activity such as yoga will help to alleviate stress.

5. Following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions

Getting the best liposuction results depends on following all the postoperative instructions given to you by your surgeon and this is especially important during the first 4-6 weeks of your liposuction recovery.

You should try to take it easy during the first week after your procedure, and you should make sure you wear your liposuction compression garment for a full six weeks. Any strenuous exercise, including going to the gym, should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks after the procedure. Localised massages to the area of liposuction will help to soften any scar tissue and help to speed up the resolution of swelling. All of these simple interventions can help to ensure amazing liposuction results.

Make sure to keep in touch with your surgeon in the postoperative period, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our post-operative nursing team if you have any questions or concerns during your liposuction recovery. Our nurses are here to support you throughout all stages of your liposuction treatment journey.

Schedule a liposuction consultation at Centre for Surgery

Following the five tips given above can help you make sure your liposuction results are permanent. If you have been considering liposuction, please get in touch with us today on 0207 993 4849 to book a face-to-face consultation with an expert liposuction surgeon at our Baker Street facility in Marylebone.

Shaf Moradian

1709810706

I had my first ever surgery here so as you can imagine I was very nervous but I had an excellent experience. All the staff were professional, caring and helpful. I felt like I was in good hands and that the staff really looked after me. Very big thank you to the team and surgeon for such a positive experience and I would recommend this clinic.

Hassan Berton

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Dedicated professionals who know the art of their craft. From the moment my dad and l walked into the reception and spoke to the beautiful staff the love compassion and most importantly the care before and after my dad's surgery was second to none. My father was very nervous about the whole process but the staff were calm and reassuring which helped him settle. The following weeks were the hardest for my dad in recovery after surgery but the follow ups and the love from the staff seemed to bring his self esteem and confidence back. We are very happy with results and can't thank them enough. Special mention for the surgeon thank you doc you gave me my dad back!!!

Eduardo Gispert

1706029926

I can only talk positively about this clinic where I had a cyst removal. The service is excellent, all the staff and doctors are very professional and friendly. I was assisted by three practitioners during my surgery, one being the surgeon. The clinical procedures and risk managemement practices are excellent, to minimise any risks. All post-op appointments with nurses (shout out to Nicola) were included in original price.

Di G

1706014005

Really happy with my experience at CfS and happy to recommend. My surgeon was great and all the staff are super friendly and supportive throughout my recovery. I"m now really pleased with the outcome (10 weeks on) and am booking in for another procedure later this year. [i also did all my research in terms of ensuring the surgeon was GMC registered and the clinic had good CQC reports etc].

Ruth King

1705667892

I booked an appointment for an Osteoma removal (hard bone, small growth) from my forehead. I was rather nervous about the whole thing, so booked at short notice so that I couldn't back out of it. Apart from some rushing around getting the correct paperwork in place prior to the procedure, everything went very well. I felt well looked after before and after. I didn't feel much pain (local anesthetic) during or after, the bruising and scar mainly faded within a fortnight, and there seems to be very little sign of a scar now, three months after the removal.Thank you very much!

How to Maintain Your Liposuction Results

How does liposuction work?