Liposuction After Bariatric Surgery: Is It Necessary?
After undergoing bariatric surgery, most patients experience dramatic weight loss that leaves them much thinner and in better overall health than they were prior to the procedure. This means lower blood pressure as well as a potential cure for diabetes and key benefits for cancer prevention. However, patients will run into some cosmetic issues after dramatic weight loss.
Believe it or not, some bariatric surgery patients wind up needing liposuction after they’ve lost a lot of weight. The team at our Tijuana, Mexico bariatric center consider the common and sensible need for cosmetic surgery after surgical weight loss procedures.
Some Fat Is More Stubborn Than Others
Thanks to bariatric surgery, many people lose a significant amount of body fat. However, there are some pockets of fat that are more stubborn than others. Even after the weight loss surgery, this fat may still remain, resulting in unwanted bulges or poor body contour even following major weight loss.
Won’t Diet and Exercise Help with Fat?
You would think that the improved diet and increased activity level of patients after bariatric surgery would get rid of all excess fat. While it’s helpful, it sadly can’t target specific parts of the body as well as you may think.
Since spot reduction is a myth, all of the crunches or lunges you do simply won’t eliminate that unwanted fat. In these situations, the ideal option for getting rid of the unwanted body fat is to perform liposuction.
How Liposuction Works
Liposuction is intended for cosmetic fat removal rather than weight loss. In fact, only a certain amount of body fat can be safely removed during the liposuction process. Liposuction can help patients experience expertly targeted spot reduction, removing that unwanted fat and helping you look your best.
Ideal Candidates for Liposuction
Good candidates for liposuction are people who have unwanted body fat that has not responded to exercise and a healthy diet. They should be in good overall health and not suffer from medical problems that would make a body contouring surgery a potential risk to wellness. During the consultation process, we can discuss if liposuction is a good option for your goals.
Part of a Post-Bariatric Body Contouring Plan
Some unwanted fat is not the only issue that bariatric surgery patients must deal with. After major weight loss, it’s not uncommon to experience loose skin and stretch marks. This is simply the nature of normal skin laxity, and while your skin will shrink back around your slimmer frame to some degree, it can only do so in a limited fashion.
That’s why in addition to liposuction, many bariatric surgery patients wind up undergoing tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), thigh light, arm lift, and breast lift procedures. These can all help improve the overall figure of someone who’s lose a significant amount of body weight.
Ideal Timing for Your Body Contouring Surgery
Timing is everything when it comes to cosmetic surgery after massive weight loss. Patients will want to wait about two years after their bariatric surgery before they undergo body contouring procedures. This allows patients to lose weight and their body mass to stabilize, ensuring optimal results. This can be discussed in more detail as part of a consultation with our team.
Learn More About Post-Bariatric Body Contouring
For more information about liposuction and other cosmetic surgery procedures after bariatric surgery, be sure to contact an experienced weight loss surgeon. The Tijuana Bariatrics team is here to help you become healthier, look better, and feel great.
