Readers Respond: Did You Gain Weight After Liposuction?

Responses: 22

From Natalie Kita, former About.com Guide

Updated April 02, 2010

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I had SmartLipo 6 weeks ago and am going to have a mini-tuck with SmartLipo in a few days. I'm sure there are individuals who have unique reactions to liposuction. I am normally the type of person who that kind of thing would happen to. However, I've actually lost a bit more (so far!) than the surgeon removed. I attribute it to estrogen (which is stored in your fat cells) removal. My breasts shrank a cup size, which actually makes me look a bit more balanced up top. Liposuction is an individual decision; I believe for MOST people, you can definitely have success. I took hormones 3 years ago that put 10 lbs. on me that I have been unble to lose NO MATTER WHAT, so...so far, I'm ecstatic!
—Guest Amy

After a tummy tuck and lipo a year ago, I've put on 8lbs. My body went into hypovolemic shock twice after surgery. I run 8 miles daily because I still compete in races and my diet is usually only living type foods no prepackeged stuff. I keep my calories to 1500 a day- 2000 on training days. I'm 5'6 and 138lbs. now. My waist is 2" larger than before my surgery and my thighs are 1" larger. My whole system is out of whack and its a little frustrating knowing I was in better shape before surgery. I'm still searching to know how to get my body back to normal.
—trueball_32

I just had lipo and have been on the net and am terrified to the point of gaining weight. Some say no matter what you gain it back. Others say that they exercised and ate well and have had good results. Has anyone had lifelong results that are good, because I am not going to do this again! I don't want to fail!
—Guest ham73

I was 5'9, and a size 27 (European) when I had liposuction in what I thought in my modeling days were trouble spots. The doctor removed all my fat, and my body responded by swelling and making me very weak. My face swelled, ankles, everything and I still battle with electrolyte imbalance if I eat too much salt. My body looks like a pregnant woman's in regards to swollen-ness. I never went down in swelling, and I look way worse than when I went into surgery. I lost my modeling career, and havent made money since.
—Guest liporuinedme

I had lipo on several sites 4-5 years ago, which successfully trimmed down my chronic "trouble spots" of lower belly; inner, outer and fronts of thighs; hips; inside knees and sides of waist. I'm happy with the results, but please know that one MUST maintain healthy diet and exercise habits in order to stay trim, regardless of the lipo. And as you get older, you have to step up those efforts for a number of reasons unrelated to lipo. I've done so, but my thigh cellulite is actually a bit worse after the lipo. However, at age 52, I guess you have to accept that.
—Guest I. Ellen

I really want to have liposuction on my stomach, which is the only part of me that could ever be called "fat". Now I'm worried that I could end up fat all over.
—Guest JellyBelly

I had liposuction 20 years ago, and yes, I feel like I gain weight more easily than I did before surgery. It's hard to say, though, if lipo is part of the reason for that or if it's just getting older. I had lipo on my thighs. Before surgery, it seemed like every ounce of extra fat I had was right there on my thighs. After surgery, when I gain weight, I tend to put it on more evenly than I did before surgery, so my body is in better proportion even when I do gain. Isn't that the whole point of liposuction?
—Guest Sylvia

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