Do Fat Cells Grow Back After Liposuction?

Posted June 16, 2014 in Liposuction

After puberty, the number of fat cells in the body will never change unless the cells are permanently removed with liposuction or injected into the body with fat transfer. When a person gains or loses weight, the fat cells simply shrink or expand accordingly, without increasing in number. Liposuction will permanently reduce the number of fat cells in the body, and they will never grow back. However, weight gain after this procedure is still possible because the remaining fat cells can still expand.

How Much Weight Will I Lose with Liposuction?

Unlike bariatric surgery, which is a weight loss procedure, liposuction is meant to contour trouble zones of the body that are difficult to reduce with diet and exercise alone. Although fat cells are permanently removed, liposuction patients only lose an average of five pounds after treatment, and there is no guarantee that those pounds won’t creep back onto the body over time. The main advantage of liposuction is that patients will have a more sculpted appearance in the treated areas after weight gain than they would if they had never had the procedure.

Liposuction is not intended to decrease the number on the scale; rather, it is intended to decrease inches off your body. Fat is removed from “all the right places” to improve your shape and give you firmer, sleeker contours. For the sake of comparison, a significant amount of weight is lost with bariatric surgery because the body is forced to take in fewer calories; the fat cells are not eliminated, but they rapidly decrease in size.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Liposuction?

The best candidates for liposuction have maintained a stable weight for several months and are close to a healthy weight for their height. Patients who experience superior results with liposuction are those who consistently lead a healthy and active lifestyle, but can’t seem to get rid of stubborn fatty deposits like “saddlebags” and “love handles.”

Liposuction can be combined with body contouring procedures such as the body lift, arm lift, or tummy tuck for those who have sagging skin as a result of significant weight loss, pregnancy, or the aging process.

If you are interested in liposuction or other body contouring procedures in the Williamsville area, please contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Todd B. Koch at Amherst Cosmetic Surgery Center. Please call (716) 631-1220 to schedule your consultation. Or you may fill out our online contact form to receive more information.