Fat Returns After Liposuction? Not So Fast, Says New Study

A new study has overturned the conclusions of a previous study that indicated fat cells are redistributed to untreated areas after liposuction. The study, published in the August issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, refutes the conclusions of the previous report with a larger sample size and more precise measuring techniques.

Does Fat Return After Liposuction?

A report published last year in Obesity concluded that fat returns to untreated areas of the body within a year after the procedure. The abdomen, shoulders, and arms were especially vulnerable to this effect. According to a press release on the ASPS website, the media quickly picked up the story, with a column in the New York Times featuring an image of a distorted woman.

However, many surgeons were skeptical about the study’s results, including Eric Swanson, MD. “Previous studies have evaluated small numbers of patients and used imprecise measuring techniques, limiting their power to reliably detect changes.”

New Study: Liposuction Improvements Last

Dr. Swanson’s study evaluated 301 patients who had liposuction; either as a standalone procedure or in combination with tummy tuck surgery. He used standardized photographs and computer-assisted body measurements, which were taken before the procedure and at least three months afterwards. “Our study included a sufficient number of patients and used precise measurements, making the conclusions highly reliable,” Swanson said.

The study found no evidence of fat regrowth in the treated areas, which included the arms, abdomen, and lower body. Postoperative measurements also found:

• upper body dimensions were unchanged
• average reductions in hip measurements remained significant after one year or more
• average hip reduction was significant even among patients who gained five pounds or more after surgery

Dr. Swanson concluded that “patients can be reassured that their improvements will last and they need not worry about putting weight back on disproportionately.” However, he still cautions patients to work on maintaining their weight after the procedure.

“Of course, liposuction does not change your ability to gain or lose weight. Its value is in permanently reducing the number of fat cells in problem areas. For any given weight you will be in the future, your proportions will be better after liposuction, barring extremes in weight gain.”