How Many Times Can You Have Liposuction?

While liposuction is technically a fat removal solution, that doesn't mean the results of lipo last indefinitely. Weight gain after liposuction can cause fat cells remaining in the previously treated area to swell or enlarge, which can mean the return of unwanted inches and pounds even after a successful treatment. For patients who experience this, a repeat liposuction procedure may help to restore their original results. Although there is technically no maximum number of times you can undergo liposuction, multiple rounds of revisions may not be ideal for a variety of reasons.

Here, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Terrence "Terry" Higgins and Dr. Andrew G. Silver of Plastic Surgery Vegas discuss what patients considering revision liposuction should keep in mind, when revision lipo may be recommended, and how you can maintain your liposuction results for as long as possible to help avoid the need for a repeat procedure.

How much weight can you lose with liposuction?

It is important to keep in mind, first and foremost, that liposuction is not considered a weight loss procedure. Instead, liposuction is designed to remove stubborn pockets of fat that are unresponsive (or slow to respond) to diet and exercise efforts. The amount of fat that can be removed with liposuction surgery will vary from patient to patient based on several individual factors, including how much excess fat is present, which areas are being treated, the patient's overall health, and others. For the average patient, it is often possible to remove about 10 – 11 pounds in a single liposuction procedure.

Can you get repeat liposuction in the same area?

In most cases, it can be considered safe and possible to perform repeat liposuction — or revision lipo — in the same treatment area. Some of the reasons to get repeat liposuction may include:

• Pregnancy after a primary liposuction procedure
• Weight gain after liposuction
• More fat in a treatment area than can be safely removed in a single procedure

If you have questions about having liposuction again in an area that was already treated, don't hesitate to ask our knowledgeable team.

Is repeat liposuction safe?

Generally speaking, patients in good health who had no previous complications with liposuction may be considered eligible candidates for revision lipo. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to repeating liposuction in the same area. For instance, patients should consider the reason for needing repeat lipo — whether weight gain due to pregnancy, hormone changes, an underlying condition, nonadherence to diet and exercise plans, or something else — and whether they'll be able to avoid running into the same problem again after their revision procedure.

Additionally, the patient's overall health should be taken into account to ensure they are still able to tolerate anesthesia and recovery. In some cases, scar tissue may also need to be evaluated to be certain that liposuction is still a safe and appropriate option.

What are the reasons not to get repeat lipo?

While there is no set limit on how many times you can get liposuction, minimizing the number of times you have surgery is recommended to:

• Avoid surgical and post-surgical complications
• Reduce exposure to anesthesia
• Minimize cumulative recovery times
• Keep financial investment to a minimum
• Prevent disruptions to daily activities

By maintaining a consistent weight through a healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy the results of your initial liposuction procedure for years, decades, or even a lifetime.

Get a slimmer, smoother, sexier figure with long-lasting liposuction in Las Vegas, NV

Although repeat liposuction once, twice, or several times is possible in many cases, there are many reasons to avoid revision procedures and, instead, keep the results of your initial surgery looking their best for as long as possible. Whether you are considering liposuction for the first time or looking to restore the results of a previous lipo procedure, we can help. To learn more about options for lipo and repeat lipo in Las Vegas, NV, call our friendly team at Plastic Surgery Vegas to schedule your private consultation and evaluation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Terrence "Terry" Higgins or board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew G. Silver at Plastic Surgery Vegas today.