In most cases, the fat cells that are removed with liposuction cosmetic surgery do not re-grow. As long as the patient does not gain a decent amount of weight following liposuction, or even gains a moderate amount of weight over the years, the body will not generate new fat cells.
The adult body cannot typically produce new fat cells. There is permanent fat loss in the liposuction treated areas, and fat cells eliminated from a particular area will not return.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides liposuction to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.
Fat Cell Growth with Substantial Weight Gain
If the patient gains a moderate amount of weight over the years after liposuction, the fat cells that remain in the treated areas will simply become larger. They will accumulate more fat within the existing cell membranes.
However, if the patient gains a significant amount of weight (ten percent of their body weight or higher), there may be new fat cell development in various sites. This may include areas that have been treated with liposuction previously.
Gaining a relatively large amount of weight by an adult will cause an increase in the number of lipocytes (fat cells) that would be developed from the existing pleuripotential connective tissue cells through the process of differentiation. In this process, the existing connective tissue cells first convert to immature fat cells (known as lipoblasts).
The lipoblasts will gradually develop into mature fat cells as the patient gains weight over time. However, relatively lesser fat would accumulate in the areas treated with liposuction.
This will enable the patient to still enjoy the body contouring benefits of liposuction plastic surgery to some degree, even if they gain a substantial amount of weight.
Safe Volume of Fat Cell Reduction with Liposuction
An expert plastic surgeon would undertake fat removal through liposuction surgery in a conservative manner. Around six to eight pounds (three to four liters) of fat removal falls within the safe limit for a single liposuction session. This may vary slightly on the basis of the patient’s health, body weight, fat deposit accumulation, and other factors.
The elimination of more fat in a single session could increase the risks of complications for the patient. Some patients may require more fat removal than six to eight pounds. In such cases, the cosmetic surgeon may recommend the liposuction procedure in two to three stages.
Each stage would be spaced at least one month apart, and every stage would be undertaken as a separate liposuction plastic surgery.
Aesthetic Limitations with Excessive Fat Removal
Apart from the health risks associated with excessive fat removal, the patient will experience a higher possibility of developing loose or sagging skin, folds in the treated areas, and dimpling. Fat deposits that have been present for a significant period in a particular area may cause the skin to stretch permanently and lose its elasticity.
The treated area may deflate, and the skin may become loose if a large amount of fat is removed from this region. For such patients, the surgeon may recommend combining the liposuction with a lower body lift, breast lift, or tummy tuck, depending on the treated area.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for liposuction.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:
Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead, Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.