Before GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy became part of the conversation, much of the discussion around fat loss centered on liposuction.
Liposuction removes fat. As a result, it’s understandable that many would believe it acts in a way similar to diet, exercise, or a GLP-1 drug — as in, it will produce significant weight loss.
In reality, however, the number on the scale does not move much after liposuction. This is not a flaw; it’s in the design of the procedure. That’s because liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Instead, it’s designed primarily to reshape specific areas of the body by removing fat.
For many patients, the change on the scale is fairly minimal after liposuction. However, the visual difference can be striking. In fact, some may find that they appear thinner than if they lost the same amount of weight in fat through diet, as the fat removal from liposuction is highly targeted.
In his Milwaukee, Wisconsin clinic, Dr. Mark Bosbous has helped countless patients develop the perfect strategy to use liposuction to create their perfect body. He’s also fielded many questions about liposuction and weight loss. In this piece, we’ll go over what you should know about liposuction and weight loss.
How Many Pounds Does Liposuction Usually Remove?
This is a difficult question to answer. The amount removed depends on the size and number of treatment areas, the patient’s body size and health, the technique used, and more.
Generally speaking, patients can expect to lose between two and five pounds of fat during a liposuction procedure. This is equivalent to around a month of healthy, diet and exercise-assisted weight loss. It is also well within the range of normal, day-to-day weight fluctuations.
American plastic surgery guidance says that removing 5,000 milliliters or more of total aspirate — which includes not only fat, but blood and other fluids — is considered large-volume liposuction and requires additional precautions. This is equivalent to around 10 or 11 pounds.
Therefore, the maximum number of pounds you should expect to lose during a normal liposuction procedure is 11, though it is often a lot less and largely dependent on the patient’s specific circumstances.
Should I Consider Liposuction for Weight Loss?
The best patients for liposuction are the ones who are already near a stable, maintainable weight, but have localized fat deposits that remain resistant to diet and exercise. For example, some people find that they have love handles no matter their weight, but are able to maintain a stable number on the scale. This person could be a good candidate for liposuction — more so than someone who is looking to drop a few pounds. In fact, a surgeon may recommend losing additional weight before surgery.
There could be other issues that arise with liposuction. However, a good surgeon like Dr. Mark Bosbous will generally be able to predict and prepare for these issues during your consultation and planning process. For example, liposuction may result in some loose skin, which can be quickly addressed with another procedure.
What Does Liposuction Actually Do?
Liposuction is designed to remove localized deposits of subcutaneous fat. This is the softer fat located between the skin and muscle.
By doing this, one can reshape their body and take care of stubborn fat deposits. The procedure also removes the fat cells entirely, which some patients find allows them to maintain their figure despite minor fluctuations in weight.
What someone seeking this procedure cannot do is lose a substantial amount of weight using liposuction, nor can they use it to get rid of visceral fat — the fat that surrounds your internal organs.
Directly after a liposuction procedure, your weight will likely be the same or higher than it was before. This is because your body is swollen and retains a significant amount of fluid. Once that swelling has subsided, you might notice a drop on the scale — but it likely won’t be very high.
Still Curious About Liposuction?
The results from liposuction can be incredible, allowing patients to create the body of their dreams.
If you’re interested in liposuction, or just have some questions you’d like answered, reach out to Dr. Mark Bosbous today and schedule a consultation. He’ll work with you to develop a surgical plan with realistic, yet life-changing results. Get in touch today to schedule a meeting.