Does Fat Come Back After Liposuction?

Liposuction is an effective procedure for removing localized fatty deposits from the body that are diet and exercise resistant. Once fat has been removed on an area of the body via liposuction, the removed fat is gone forever. What follows is additional information regarding the effectiveness of liposuction at permanently removing fat from the body.

Fat is Permanently Removed

• Fat removed through liposuction is removed permanently. Adipose tissue (fat) cannot reappear once it has been physically removed, as is the case with liposuction. The fat that is removed is gone permanently.

Existing Fat Cells Can Grow

• Remaining fat cells not removed through liposuction can increase in size if an individual gains additional body fat, but the fat gain will not occur in the areas that have been treated with liposuction.

Fat Gain Patterns Can Change

• After liposuction, especially liposuction that involves large amounts of fat removal, it is common for an individual to experience a shift in body fat storage patterns. If a large amount of fat was removed from the abdomen, any significant fat gain may result in the majority of the fat being stored elsewhere, such as in the thighs or lower back/love handle region.

Fat Conversion Process Remains Unchanged

• Liposuction does nothing to alter the body's normal way of converting food into fat. An individual who has liposuction performed gains fat just as easily as before the procedure; the only difference is where the fat gets stored.

Potential

• Liposuction has the potential to drastically improve the shape and appearance of many areas on the body. By making an area of the body more even and symmetrical with surrounding areas, liposuction enhances appearance in ways that diet and exercise cannot.