After liposuction has been performed, you will be able to see immediate results as soon as the swelling has subsided. In general, the swelling that occurs after a liposuction procedure will completely subside within 10 to 14 days after the procedure is performed. Although you will have lost weight immediately after the procedure, you must be prepared for the appearance of excess skin. Although it mainly depends on genetics and the elasticity of your skin, it can take more than 6 months for your skin to tighten over the areas of your body that were treated with liposuction. After this 6-month period has passed, you will have achieved a slimmer silhouette, as well as better overall health.
The reality of the situation is that the results you have obtained through your liposuction procedure are not permanent. Unlike gastric band surgery, liposuction does not alter the size of your stomach or other digestive organs. Liposuction is simply a cosmetic procedure used to contour your body shape. The permanence of the results you experience with liposuction will depend on your willingness to adopt a lifestyle change. This means you’ll need to make smart decisions regarding your dietary choices, and you’ll also need to start exercising regularly. Even your plastic surgeon will recognize that these changes must be made if your liposuction results are to last.
In a study conducted by Vanderbilt University in 2004, more than 200 participants who had recently undergone liposuction were monitored and interviewed. After a six-month period, 43% of participants had gained weight, 25% of people had lost more weight, and 32% had seen no change in their weight. Ultimately, the long-term results of the success or failure of your liposuction procedure will be up to you. Once the fat cells are removed from your body through liposuction, they are removed from your body forever; however, this does not mean that the removed fat cells cannot be replaced by new ones in the future.