Exercise and diet can help you lose weight, but these strategies usually do not work when it comes to getting rid of stubborn fat in areas such as the upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. More and more people are choosing to have liposuction to address this issue. Today, plastic surgeons offer SmartLipo Triplex laser liposuction, a minimally-invasive procedure that is less traumatic than traditional liposuction surgery. This FDA-approved laser liposuction treatment is performed using local anesthesia, provides superior outcomes and helps candidates achieve a more well-defined, attractive body.
One question patients often ask is “Can fat return after liposuction if I gain weight?” The answer is yes. The long-term results of liposuction depend on preventing weight gain with diet and exercise. For instance, if you neglect your routine wellness routine during the holiday season with its overindulgent meals, it can wreak havoc on body contouring results. An article from The American Society of Plastic Surgeons cited research which suggests that Americans gain between 0.8 and 2 pounds during the holiday season from November to January.
Both weight gain and weight loss can impact your body contouring outcomes. Gaining weight post-procedure can lead to fat build up in untreated areas, affecting the body’s proportions and the sculpted appearance achieved through body contouring. Losing a substantial amount of weight after lipo can result in excess, sagging skin, as the skin may not retract adequately, especially if it has lost elasticity due to previous stretching. The key to maintaining your liposuction results is to commit to a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a proper diet. Here are 6 tips for post-liposuction weight maintenance.
Six Lifestyle Changes to Sustain Liposuction Results
- Exercise regularly: To maintain your liposuction results, it’s crucial to follow proper recovery and exercise guidelines. Avoid high-impact or vigorous exercise during the initial recovery phase after your liposuction procedure. Instead, focus on light activities such as walking in the days and weeks following your surgery. Walking regularly can help improve blood circulation, prevent complications like blood clots, and promote faster healing.
Follow your surgeon’s exercise guidelines after liposuction recovery is complete. This typically begins with low-impact aerobic activities, resistance training, and other approved fitness exercises. Establishing a balanced workout regimen not only helps to sustain your results but also prevents weight gain and manages spikes in blood sugar levels caused by overeating. Combining these efforts with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle ensures long-term success in maintaining your body contouring results.
- Maintain a proper diet: The primary focus after lipolysis should be healthful eating habits. To minimize weight fluctuations, focus on a consistent, healthy diet rich in whole foods, including lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. A balanced diet post-liposuction focuses on lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is crucial for recovery and maintaining liposuction results. The goal should be to avoid weight fluctuations. Avoid fried and sugary foods. To support tissue repair and maintain muscle mass after procedures like liposuction, it’s important to include lean protein sources in your diet. Lean protein is rich in amino acids and vital for muscle recovery and overall health.
- Practice portion control: After undergoing body contouring procedures like liposuction or a tummy tuck, adopting mindful eating habits is essential to maintain your new shape. Even after fat removal, remaining fat cells can expand if calorie intake exceeds expenditure, potentially compromising your results. Practicing portion control after body contouring helps prevent overeating, supports weight stability, and preserves your body contouring outcomes. Simple strategies include using smaller plates, measuring servings, and being attentive to hunger cues. Mindful eating involves paying close attention to what you eat and recognizing when you’re full, which helps prevent overeating.
Managing stress and sleep is crucial as high stress levels and insufficient sleep can lead to increased appetite and cravings. Using stress-reduction techniques and ensuring sufficient rest are crucial for controlling food intake and maintaining your results.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is vital after liposuction to support your body’s recovery and optimize results. Hydration helps boost your metabolism, which is important for sustaining your new contours. Drinking water plays a role in weight management by supporting various bodily functions that indirectly impact weight loss, including metabolism, digestion, and waste removal. Staying hydrated can help control post-surgery hunger, as thirst is often mistaken for hunger, leading to unnecessary snacking. Best practice is to follow the hydration guidelines given to you as part of your post-lipo recovery routine.
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle, stay active: Long-term maintenance after liposuction requires staying active and avoiding an inactive lifestyle. It promotes healing, reduces swelling, and prevents complications. Even light activities like walking help improve circulation, which is essential for delivering nutrients and removing waste substances from the surgical site, helping the healing process. Movement can help reduce fluid buildup and swelling in the treated areas. Light movement helps maintain blood flow and reduces the risk of clots. If you are in a desk job, avoid sitting for extended periods – stand up and move your legs every twenty to thirty minutes.
- Cut down on alcohol: Alcohol is high in calories and heavy drinking causes fat accumulation and weight gain, potentially negating the benefits of liposuction. Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption is recommended to maintain lipo results. Medline Plus states that the best way to control calories from drinking is to limit how much you drink.
Achieving and Maintaining Liposuction Results: Choose the Right Surgeon
Liposuction can significantly enhance your body’s contours, but it’s not a magic solution. Post-procedure, maintaining your results requires commitment to a healthy lifestyle, with proper diet and exercise. With consistent effort and dedication, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help you maintain your liposuction results and enjoy your enhanced contours for years to come.
If you’re considering Smartlipo Triplex laser liposuction, it’s essential to choose an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery facility with surgeons experienced in the procedure. An experienced surgical team can help you achieve optimal results with customized treatment. Experts will also provide guidance on how to maintain weight loss after liposuction surgery through proper post-operative care and lifestyle choices.
Ready to maintain your liposuction results?