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| Source: SpaMedica. Before and after photo of a liposuction patient. |
Some people would say liposuction is the “easy” way to lose
some weight. On the surface, sure, it looks like the procedure is a great way to
trim up and shed off pounds. I mean, what’s the point of going on a hardcore
diet and exercising everyday when you can avoid all that stuff by getting
liposuction?
This is a super common misconception. First off,
liposuction is not a “quick” way to lose
weight. It’s actually not a weight loss method. Also, it’s not a procedure
where you go in, get some fat taken out and your results will automatically
appear within the next day.
There’s maintenance and things you’ll have to consider when
it comes to diet and lifestyle to keep your liposuction results. Dr. Mulholland,
a Toronto plastic surgeon, shares his expertise on what you should expect to do
after liposuction so things don’t come as a surprise.
A balanced, healthy diet will help your body heal quickly after liposuction
This idea is the same for any other surgery. Having a
healthy diet (don’t be too hard on yourself by restricting calories though) helps
your body heal fast and without complications. Gradual weight loss of less than
20 pounds will also benefit your liposuction results. The areas and contours
you’ve gained will shrink and enhance your overall looks. Weight gain, of
course, can sabotage your liposuction results. Not only will the fat return to
the areas you’ve had treated, fat can also travel and accumulate in areas where
you normally didn’t have.
What your diet should be like depends on your own individual
health. Your liposuction surgeon is in the best position to recommend what your
diet should be after the procedure.
You can return back to regular activities soon after liposuction.
“Patients can return to relatively low-impact activities the
day after the procedure,” says Dr. Mulholland. With energy-assisted liposuction
procedures like BodyTite or SmartLipo, the risks of pain, bruising and swelling
are reduced. This provides patients with a faster opportunity to get back to
regular activities. Some patients have had liposuction on multiple areas of
their body and can go back to very light activities the next day. It’s not a
bad idea to have 2-3 days dedicated to resting and recovery after liposuction,
though.
If you’re into active physical activities like running and
weight training, you’ll have to wait 4-6 weeks after your procedure to jump
back into these activities.
Weight fluctuation is common after liposuction
As mentioned earlier, liposuction is not a way to lose
weight. It’s a way to help you shape up contours and remove unwanted fat from
pockets of your body that you don’t want. Dr. Mulholland says to focus on your contours
and the inches you’ve lost, not your weight.
With that noted, you will lose some weight after
liposuction. It’s also possible to see your weight fluctuate. Some reasons that
cause weight gain are related to the stress of surgery and stress hormones—this
shows up in the form of water weight. However, it’s a good idea to have a close
follow-up with your liposuction surgeon to make sure everything’s fine if you
have any worries about your weight.
These are just some of the things to consider before you
decide to take the plunge and have liposuction. Do your research, pick a
board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience and don’t be afraid to
ask questions. Leave a comment or book a consultation online if you have any
questions about liposuction.
