Liposuction = Weight Loss?

Many people approach liposuction with the hope that this procedure will aid them in controlling their weight. However, ever since the early days of liposuction, and even with some physicians preforming large volume liposuction, it has been clear that people who have liposuction do not end up weighing less. The standard mantra has been that liposuction, and almost certainly Zeltiq as well, are spot reduction measures and not weight reduction measures. However, until now there has not been a good explanation for this. After all, it seems logical that if a pound or two of fat were removed, the patient should end up weighing a pound or two less. A study recently published in the journal "Obesity" provides some explanations.

Doctors from the University of Colorado took a group of non-obese women with bulges on their abdomens and/or thighs. Half were given liposuction and half agreed to serve as controls, with the understanding that they could later have liposuction at reduced cost, if they chose to do so.

In the women who had the liposuction, the doctors found that the fat gradually returned, taking up to a year to do so. However, the fat did not return the the areas treated with liposuction. Instead it was redistributed to the upper body, the shoulders, upper arms and upper abdomen. It is not understood why the fat did not return at all to the areas of the body that were treated, but it may be that the liposuction destroyed some of the vessels and tissues that are necessary to support the fat.

The results of this study support animal studies in which rodents had fat surgically removed and the fat eventually came back, but not in the areas where the fat was removed. Apparently the body has a preferred number of fat cells and when some die or are otherwise removed, they are replaced. That doesn't mean that liposuction, Zeltiq and other fat removal techniques are worthless. The women who had liposuction as part of the study were happy with their results. And over 50% of the women who were in the control group chose to go ahead with the liposuction, despite the fact that they were aware of the results of the study.

Gerald N. Bock MD

California Skin & Laser Center

Stockton & Lodi, CA

Comments

[San Diego Cosmetic Surgeon]

Yes, it is true that fat comes back even after liposuction. It is not magic after all. With regards to the weight loss, I guess that the lipo won't count because the bones and the muscles would weigh more, making it less likely to notice a loss of weight especially when you remove only 2 pounds of fat. But it would be wonderful to read about studies on that.

[nose lift Philippines]

Finding the right doctor is probably the most important thing. Although these procedures have become more common, they are no less serious than a regular surgery, and a choice of doctor is just as important.

aj

[Cosmetic Surgery]

I am so excited about this blog.I have study about Liposuction.I knew the information about,can easily solve the lots of problems with abdomen,upper arms,etc.This information is very helpful my studies. Thank you for posting this blog.

[Beth Barber]

It makes me crazy when people look to liposuction as the "end all be all" for weight loss. People need to try a healthy lifestyle first and liposuction should be the last resort. Great article!

[johnvictor]

Great post. After liposuction if there is again there is problem of gaining weight then there is any solution for that.