Liposuction, advertised heavily since 1974 has become a popular plastic surgery procedure to get rid of excess fat from problem areas of the body such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms and buttocks. According to the 2012 plastic surgery statistics report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 202,000 procedures were performed in 2012. Amidst its popularity, there existed a confusion that made at least some people hesitate to undergo the procedure – will fat return after liposuction?
A study in the August 2012 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) revealed that fat actually does not return in both treated and untreated areas following liposuction. The study evaluated 301 patients who had liposuction, either alone or in combination with abdominoplasty, using standardized photographs and computer-assisted measurements of body dimensions obtained preoperatively and at least three months after surgery. The study revealed no evidence of fat re-growth in treated areas of the arms, abdomen, or lower body. Upper body dimensions were also unchanged after surgery, indicating no fat redistribution. Measurements in the study do not support the concept of fat re-accumulation in treated or untreated areas of the body.
These findings refute an earlier report published in the journal Obesity that had concluded that fat returns to untreated areas of the body, especially the abdomen, shoulders, and arms within one year after liposuction. This study was done on non-obese women who underwent liposuction for their lower abdomen and thighs. The researchers had concluded that fat reappeared in other parts of the body, especially the upper abdomen.
With the arrival of energy based liposuction devices such as VASERlipo and BodyTite, skilled plastic surgeons can provide safe and effective body sculpting, with minimal complications and optimal results. The new study will surely encourage more people to undergo body contouring and benefit from an improved appearance.
A traditional as well as advanced liposuction procedure doesn’t affect one’s ability to gain or lose weight. However, future weight gain may change your final result; so it is necessary to exercise regularly and follow a balanced diet after the procedure. The results of liposuction surgery can be long-lasting if you follow all these tips along with the surgeon’s instructions.