What Are the Best Practices for Maintaining Liposuction Results Long Term?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat from the body. While the results of liposuction are permanent, it’s still possible to gain weight after liposuction. Adopting healthy habits is the best way to maintain your liposuction results long-term. In this article, we’ll cover some steps you can take to keep the weight off and maintain your liposuction results.

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a balanced diet is key to maintaining your liposuction results. Good nutrition not only supports your overall health but also helps maintain your physique.

• Aim to fill your plate with lean proteins like chicken, fish, and tofu. These proteins help build and repair tissues and keep you feeling full longer.
• Adding a variety of fruits and vegetables is also essential—they’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and fibre that are great for your body and help control your appetite.
• Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats are another important part of a balanced diet. They provide lasting energy and keep your digestive system running smoothly.

It’s best to avoid foods high in sugar, such as sweets and sugary drinks, as well as high-fat foods like fried items and fatty cuts of meat. Processed foods, which often contain hidden sugars and unhealthy fats, should also be avoided. These types of foods can lead to weight gain, which can affect your liposuction results.

Read more: How long should you expect your liposuction to last?

2. Stay Active with Regular Exercise

Once you’ve fully recovered from your liposuction, getting back to regular exercise is essential for maintaining your results. Staying active not only helps keep your weight stable but also boosts your overall health and energy levels. Incorporating different types of exercises into your routine can make a big difference.

• Cardio exercises like walking, jogging, or cycling are great for burning calories and improving heart health.
• Strength training, such as lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises, helps build muscle and tone your body.
• Flexibility exercises like yoga or stretching keep your muscles flexible and reduce the risk of injury.

Creating a consistent workout routine is key to staying active. Start by setting realistic goals and gradually increasing your activity level. Find activities you enjoy to keep yourself motivated—whether it’s dancing, swimming, or joining a fitness class. Mixing up your routine can also keep things interesting and prevent boredom.

3. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking plenty of water is vital for maintaining your liposuction results and supporting your overall health. Staying hydrated helps regulate your body’s functions, aids in digestion, and keeps your energy levels up.

• Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, or about 2 litres. This can vary depending on your activity level, climate, and individual needs.

Proper hydration has plenty of benefits, especially for your skin. It helps maintain elasticity and keeps your skin looking smooth and healthy. Water also helps flush out toxins, which can improve your overall complexion.

By making water your go-to beverage and keeping a bottle handy throughout the day, you can meet your hydration goals and support the longevity of your liposuction results.

4. Manage Your Weight

• Eat Balanced Meals: Focus on eating nutritious foods like lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods keep you full and provide essential nutrients. Try to avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient options like sugary snacks and fried foods.
• Check Your Weight Regularly: Keep an eye on your weight by weighing yourself regularly. You don’t need to do it every day, but a weekly check can help you spot any changes early and make adjustments if needed.
• Watch Your Portions: It’s easy to overeat if you’re not careful about portion sizes. Use smaller plates, eat slowly, and listen to your body’s hunger cues. This can help you avoid overeating without feeling deprived.
• Stay Active: Regular exercise is crucial. Mix up your routine with cardio exercises like walking or biking, strength training like lifting weights, and flexibility exercises like yoga. This keeps your body healthy and strong.
• Choose Healthy Snacks: Instead of reaching for chips or cookies, keep healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, and veggies on hand. Having these healthier options readily available makes it easier to make good choices.

5. Take Care of Your Skin

Before and After Stomach Liposuction Source: Levant Cosmetic Surgery

Taking care of your skin is essential to maintaining your liposuction results. Here’s how:

• Maintain Skin Elasticity: After liposuction, your skin needs to adjust. To help maintain elasticity, keep your skin moisturised with lotions or oils rich in vitamins A, C, and E. These nutrients promote skin health and elasticity.
• Follow a Skincare Routine: Develop a daily skincare routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising. Gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and promotes cell renewal, keeping your skin smooth. Moisturising daily keeps your skin hydrated and supple.
• Protect Your Skin from the Sun: Sun damage can harm your skin’s elasticity and overall health. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even on cloudy days, and wear protective clothing and hats when outdoors. This helps prevent premature ageing.

6. Attend Follow-Up Appointments with Your Doctor

Keeping up with your follow-up appointments is essential for getting the most out of your liposuction results and ensuring your recovery goes smoothly. Here’s why these check-ups matter and what you can expect from them.

Importance of Regular Check-Ups

Regular check-ups with your doctor are essential. They allow your doctor to track your healing progress and ensure everything is on the right track. These visits are crucial because they can catch any potential issues early on, allowing for quick and effective treatment.

What to Expect During Follow-Up Visits

During these appointments, your doctor will examine areas where you had liposuction. They’ll check for proper healing, look for any signs of complications, and discuss your overall progress.

Your doctor will also provide personalised advice on things like skincare, exercise, and diet to help maintain your results. It’s a great time to ask any questions you might have and get professional guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Addressing Concerns or Complications Early

If you ever notice something that doesn’t seem right—like unusual swelling, persistent pain, or changes in the appearance of the treated areas—consult your doctor right away.

It’s always better to be safe and address concerns early rather than waiting and potentially facing bigger issues later. Your doctor is there to help you navigate your recovery, and early intervention can make a big difference in preventing complications and ensuring you achieve the best possible results.

By keeping up with your follow-up appointments, you’re not just ticking off a box; you’re actively participating in your own recovery and long-term success. Your doctor’s expertise and guidance are invaluable resources, helping you maintain your results for years to come.

7. Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Maintaining your liposuction results isn’t just about diet and exercise; it’s also about embracing healthy lifestyle habits that support your overall well-being.

Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can negatively impact your health and your appearance. Smoking affects your skin’s elasticity and can hinder your body’s healing process, while excessive alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain and bloating. By quitting smoking and moderating your alcohol intake, you’ll not only protect your liposuction results but also improve your overall health.

Manage Stress Through Relaxation Techniques

Stress can take a toll on your body, leading to weight gain and unhealthy eating habits. Finding effective ways to manage stress is crucial. Practices like meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or even taking a walk in nature can help reduce stress levels. Engaging in hobbies you love, spending time with friends and family, and maintaining a positive outlook can also make a big difference. By managing stress, you’ll be better equipped to stick to your healthy habits and enjoy your life more fully.

Get Sufficient Sleep

Sleep is often overlooked, but it’s a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to give your body the rest it needs to repair and rejuvenate. Good sleep supports your metabolism, helps maintain a healthy weight, and keeps your skin looking fresh and vibrant.

Tip: Establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensuring your sleep environment is comfortable and free from distractions can all help improve the quality of your sleep.

8. Set Realistic Expectations

Setting realistic expectations is essential for maintaining your satisfaction with your liposuction results. Understanding what the procedure can and cannot do will help you set achievable goals and appreciate your body’s changes.

Understanding the Limitations of Liposuction

Liposuction is designed to remove fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise. However, it’s not a solution for weight loss or a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. It won’t prevent future weight gain or address loose skin or cellulite. Recognising these limitations helps you maintain a healthy perspective and appreciate the realistic results of liposuction.

Be Aware of Potential Weight Gain

After liposuction, it’s still possible to gain weight. While the fat cells removed during the procedure are gone permanently¹https://med.stanford.edu/cosmeticsurgery/aestheticservices/body/liposuction.html, the remaining fat cells in other areas can expand. This means new weight gain might occur in different parts of your body. Being mindful of this possibility helps reinforce the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise to manage your overall body weight effectively.

Read more: Managing weight gain after liposuction 

Liposuction FAQs

Can you gain weight after liposuction?

Yes, you can gain weight after liposuction. While the fat cells removed during the procedure are gone permanently, your body can still store fat in other remaining fat cells. If you gain weight, it’s likely to accumulate in different areas than where the fat was removed. This is why maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine is crucial to preserving your liposuction results.

Can you have liposuction twice?

Yes, it is possible to have liposuction more than once. Some people opt for additional procedures to target new areas of fat. However, it’s important to allow sufficient time for healing between procedures and to discuss with your surgeon whether a second liposuction is advisable for your specific situation.

Read more: Can You Get Liposuction Twice?

Is liposuction permanent?

Liposuction results are long-lasting in the sense that the fat cells removed during the procedure do not grow back. However, it’s not a permanent fix for weight management. If you gain weight after the procedure, it will be distributed among the remaining fat cells in your body. Maintaining a stable weight through a healthy lifestyle is key to ensuring your liposuction results last.

References:

• 1. https://med.stanford.edu/cosmeticsurgery/aestheticservices/body/liposuction.html