Women who have had liposuction: are you glad you did?

katie1234 · November 2018

I'm 30 and 70kg (154lbs).

For the last six months, I work out twice a week (mixture of cardio and strength) and try to watch my diet and I've lost 6kg (about 13lbs) this way but lately I've plateaued.

I'm happy with my arms, legs, boobs and bum but my stomach is a real problem area. I am seriously considering liposuction on this area. I think it would massively improve my confidence, my clothes would fit better and I would look much better.

I'm not massively overweight but my figure is quite frumpy.

The reason I like the idea of lipo is the spot reduction - losing another 5lbs will not make a big difference to my overall figure, but losing 3-5lbs directly off my stomach could make quite a dramatic difference. I'd probably have to lose 15-20lbs off my body weight to get the same effect from diet and exercise and that would be very difficult for me.

I'd really like to hear from women - or men - who have been through it and how they felt after. I'm less interested in people's general opinions on whether lipo is a good idea.

TavistockToad · November 2018

how tall are you?

how do you know taking another 5lbs off wouldn't make a big difference?

katie1234 · November 2018

I'm about 5"5. It would make a difference, but not a very big one because some of the weight would come off my back/ legs/ arms/ *kitten* (areas I'm already okay with) rather than targeting my tummy (which I hate)

TavistockToad · November 2018

katie1234 wrote: »

I'm about 5"5. It would make a difference, but not a very big one because some of the weight would come off my back/ legs/ arms/ *kitten* (areas I'm already okay with) rather than targeting my tummy (which I hate)

at 5ft5 and 154lbs you're overweight by BMI, so it stands to reason that you have an amount of fat still to lose, that's why your figure is frumpy.

IMO getting to a normal BMI should be your first step.

katie1234 · November 2018

You're technically right, in that my BMI is 25.7, and it should be below 25. Losing that 5lb would put me within the healthy range, but as I've said, I don't think it would dramatically impact my stomach area.

SabAteNine · November 2018

These things are always a personal decision, but to me it sounds like the quick-and-dirty way out of a situation that, while not ideal (BMI-wise), is not dramatic either. Yes, having 5 lbs taken out via liposuction would put you at the top of the healthy range - but is it worth it as a first resort? It's still an intervention, and it's probably not going to be a one-off.

A 5 lb loss can happen sustainably and healthily in 5 weeks. The max loss on MFP is 2 lbs/week, meaning it is relatively safe to lose that amount in two weeks and a half. Not by trying to watch your diet, but with what works: actually watching it, calorie-wise, counting, weighing, maintaining a deficit.

I had some tum problems myself and always thought this is just the way things are. Never have I been more wrong... and no, with proper weight training and eating quite a lot, seeing a sixpack starting to form did not make my face look awfully thin, or my butt to go away.

But as I said, it depends on how much effort anyone's willing to put into this. To each their own. Whatever you choose, good luck!

katie1234 · November 2018

"A 5 lb loss can happen sustainably and healthily in 5 weeks. The max loss on MFP is 2 lbs/week, meaning it is relatively safe to lose that amount in two weeks and a half. Not by trying to watch your diet, but with what works: actually watching it, calorie-wise, counting, weighing, maintaining a deficit."

I get that, but a 5lb weightloss from all over my body wouldn't make a huge difference to my overall body composition. That was my point. 5lbs directly removed from my stomach would be a much more dramatic effect on my appearance.

It is absolutely a quick-and-dirty solution - a shortcut - I'm just not convinced that because it's a shortcut it's bad, shortcuts can be mighty convenient.

SabAteNine · November 2018

I don't know much about the procedure in itself, but there is a list of attributes for good candidates and one of them is not being overweight and obese - I deduce from here that they recommend the procedure for people who are in the healthy range and still struggle with some very stubborn „pockets”, not wanting to go away with anything else. Problem is, right now, you don't know whether this is the case or not - your problem might resolve with diet and exercise alone.

Secondly, I saw a very long list of risks and side effects for the procedure. To me those are clearly not worth it, but as I said, it's your decision. Hope you find someone around MFP who actually went through liposuction, and who will be able to share on the experience.

katie1234 · November 2018

Yup, I've read a lot online and now I'm really hoping to hear from some people who have had first-hand experience of it, good or bad, there must be someone around who has done it

TavistockToad · November 2018

katie1234 wrote: »

"A 5 lb loss can happen sustainably and healthily in 5 weeks. The max loss on MFP is 2 lbs/week, meaning it is relatively safe to lose that amount in two weeks and a half. Not by trying to watch your diet, but with what works: actually watching it, calorie-wise, counting, weighing, maintaining a deficit."

I get that, but a 5lb weightloss from all over my body wouldn't make a huge difference to my overall body composition. That was my point. 5lbs directly removed from my stomach would be a much more dramatic effect on my appearance.

It is absolutely a quick-and-dirty solution - a shortcut - I'm just not convinced that because it's a shortcut it's bad, shortcuts can be mighty convenient.

they can be convenient, but what will you learn from it in terms of maintaining your weight loss and losing more if you want to get to a healthy BMI?

I am trying to think if there's anyone on here who has had the procedure... there was a surgery thread, but that was more tummy tucks etc following extreme weight loss. you could try searching for that one?

jmf286 · November 2018

I haven't had it done but I have seen it done IRL. It is a pretty brutal procedure. If you decide to get it done, don't go to anyone who wants to do it under local or at some sort of clinic. Go to a proper plastic surgeon and get it done in a hospital under a general. Not sure where you are but here in Australia there has been a huge increase in shonky doctors who call themselves cosmetic surgeons who actually have no qualifications or accreditation for these procedures and they are maiming and killing people through incompetence and lack of care.

GottaBurnEmAll · November 2018

I'd urge you to really think carefully about this.

I don't have time to look it up right now, but there was a study done about fat regain after lipo. You know where all the fat goes? To the abdomen. And it's visceral fat, not just under the skin.

If you don't have the patience now to even get within normal BMI, how are you going to have the patience, consistency, and dedication it takes to maintain weight loss over the years?

I'm not against the idea of lipo for anyone. I think it's better suited to someone who has reached goal weight and maintained it for a while who still has some stubborn fat pockets, not someone in a position like yours.

smolmaus · November 2018

My uncle-in-law's sister (weird connection I know) had it done on her stomach after she lost a good bit of weight but wanted to get the flat tummy without losing the rest, same as you. I personally haven't seen her stomach since she put the weight back on but my aunt has and says it looks weird af. If you gain fat again the distribution can be completely different, which I'm sure you know but she's the only person I know who's had it done so I only have that n=1.

Don't mean to be harsh but if you can't see yourself being disciplined enough to lose more weight and just see what might happen naturally then the odds of you never gaining back the weight you've already lost don't sound great?

katie1234 · November 2018

I'm honestly just not that interested in people's personal opinion's on lipo or my weight.

If there's anyone who has been through it, I'd love to hear from them. Otherwise, I have a PT, a doctor, a therapist and various other people who are better qualified to give me advice.

animatorswearbras · November 2018

Hi I'm 5'5" and probably the same body shape as you (apple). I hate my stomach and have had the same thoughts, even at 25 on the BMI scale I look overweight especially in pictures because it's all in the torso but changed my mind when I got to about the 140 mark and doing a couple of sessions of circuit training every week (and averaging about 7500 steps a day). I started to really shift the weight off my stomach and at 130 hardly a tummy at all. (although I'm never going to achieve a 26 inch waist)

For me it was a long process, I for the life of me can't lose more than half a pound a week on average but you've just got to perservere. However if you do decide to go down that route no judgement from me, I totally empathise with the urge, but just be prepared that it can come with complications and may not look that great if the surgeon messes up. (I was really worried about loose or lumpy skin, plus the dangers of general anaesthetic and that ultimately put me off doing it the fast way) xxx Good luck whatever you do.

katie1234 · November 2018

animatorswearbras wrote: »

Hi I'm 5'5" and probably the same body shape as you (apple). I hate my stomach and have had the same thoughts, even at 25 on the BMI scale I look overweight especially in pictures because it's all in the torso but changed my mind when I got to about the 140 mark and doing a couple of sessions of circuit training every week (and averaging about 7500 steps a day). I started to really shift the weight off my stomach and at 130 hardly a tummy at all. (although I'm never going to achieve a 26 inch waist)

For me it was a long process, I for the life of me can't lose more than half a pound a week on average but you've just got to perservere. However if you do decide to go down that route no judgement from me, I totally empathise with the urge, but just be prepared that it can come with complications and may not look that great if the surgeon messes up. (I was really worried about loose or lumpy skin, plus the dangers of general anaesthetic and that ultimately put me off doing it the fast way) xxx Good luck whatever you do.

Thanks x

Muscleflex79 · November 2018

katie1234 wrote: »

I'm honestly just not that interested in people's personal opinion's on lipo or my weight.

If there's anyone who has been through it, I'd love to hear from them. Otherwise, I have a PT, a doctor, a therapist and various other people who are better qualified to give me advice.

maybe a calorie counting site full of people losing weight through a sustained calorie deficit isn't the place to ask though - wouldn't you be better going to a site about liposuction?

katie1234 · November 2018

Muscleflex79 wrote: »

maybe a calorie counting site full of people losing weight through a sustained calorie deficit isn't the place to ask though - wouldn't you be better going to a site about liposuction?

Thank you so much for that tip.

Jennloella · November 2018

I've had it, great results even 8 years later - I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I thought I needed to. Cool sculpting may be a better scenario for you, less invasive - honestly go talk to a Dr and get your ?s answered.

katie1234 · November 2018

Jennloella wrote: »

I've had it, great results even 8 years later - I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I thought I needed to. Cool sculpting may be a better scenario for you, less invasive - honestly go talk to a Dr and get your ?s answered.

Thanks so much for your reply

Can I ask what weight you were before, how many inches you lost and how you found the recovery?

smantha32 · November 2018

katie1234 wrote: »

I'm 30 and 70kg (154lbs).

For the last six months, I work out twice a week (mixture of cardio and strength) and try to watch my diet and I've lost 6kg (about 13lbs) this way but lately I've plateaued.

I'm happy with my arms, legs, boobs and bum but my stomach is a real problem area. I am seriously considering liposuction on this area. I think it would massively improve my confidence, my clothes would fit better and I would look much better.

I'm not massively overweight but my figure is quite frumpy.

The reason I like the idea of lipo is the spot reduction - losing another 5lbs will not make a big difference to my overall figure, but losing 3-5lbs directly off my stomach could make quite a dramatic difference. I'd probably have to lose 15-20lbs off my body weight to get the same effect from diet and exercise and that would be very difficult for me.

I'd really like to hear from women - or men - who have been through it and how they felt after. I'm less interested in people's general opinions on whether lipo is a good idea.

I had it done on my stomach and it looks pretty good, but you have to make sure you're not going to gain weight. I put on 15 pounds after the lipo and because the fat cells weren't in my stomach anymore a lot of it went to my boobs. Proportionately not a problem but I went up a cup size and now my shoulders hurt from the extra weight.

katie1234 · November 2018

smantha32 wrote: »

katie1234 wrote: »

I'm 30 and 70kg (154lbs).

For the last six months, I work out twice a week (mixture of cardio and strength) and try to watch my diet and I've lost 6kg (about 13lbs) this way but lately I've plateaued.

I'm happy with my arms, legs, boobs and bum but my stomach is a real problem area. I am seriously considering liposuction on this area. I think it would massively improve my confidence, my clothes would fit better and I would look much better.

I'm not massively overweight but my figure is quite frumpy.

The reason I like the idea of lipo is the spot reduction - losing another 5lbs will not make a big difference to my overall figure, but losing 3-5lbs directly off my stomach could make quite a dramatic difference. I'd probably have to lose 15-20lbs off my body weight to get the same effect from diet and exercise and that would be very difficult for me.

I'd really like to hear from women - or men - who have been through it and how they felt after. I'm less interested in people's general opinions on whether lipo is a good idea.

I had it done on my stomach and it looks pretty good, but you have to make sure you're not going to gain weight. I put on 15 pounds after the lipo and because the fat cells weren't in my stomach anymore a lot of it went to my boobs. Proportionately not a problem but I went up a cup size and now my shoulders hurt from the extra weight.

If I put the weight back on on my boobs/ butt/ legs I'd be okay with it. Hopefully not my face or arms but of course you don't get to choose. Ideally I'd like to continue maintaining my weight, which is what I've been doing for the last while - up a kilo or down a kilo occasionally, mainly depending on the time of the month, but mostly holding steady.

cheryldumais · November 2018

I had a tummy tuck with lipo on my hips after losing 100 lbs. I didn't lose any weight strangely but the tummy tuck creates alot of fluid build up. It's been ten months now and the swelling is mostly gone although my weight isn't lower but I am happy with my hips. If you want to lose weight I wouldn't recommend it but if you want to reshape your body it can be useful. It is expensive and I am still numb from my navel down. I don't know if that has anything to do with the lipo or if it was because of the tummy tuck. I would think that if you remove 5 lbs of fat from one spot you are going to have some sagging skin though just the same as if you lost it through dieting.

kimny72 · November 2018

katie1234 wrote: »

I'm honestly just not that interested in people's personal opinion's on lipo or my weight.

If there's anyone who has been through it, I'd love to hear from them. Otherwise, I have a PT, a doctor, a therapist and various other people who are better qualified to give me advice.

I think the point people are trying to make is - just because you need to lose 5 lbs to get into the healthy BMI range, doesn't mean you only have to lose 5 lbs to get to the best weight for you. That's why BMI is a range. I'm 5'4 and I felt like a blimp at the upper limit of the healthy BMI range for my height. I'm currently right in the middle and still think I might try to lose another 5 lbs.

The thing with lipo or any surgery is there is no guarantee you'll like how you look when it's done, and there are always the possibility of complications. So perhaps first lose another 5 or 10 lbs and then make your decision. The midsection is often the last place people lose. I can say when I went from 130 to 125 is when I saw the obvious difference in my stomach. You don't always lose weight from all over. It would just be a shame if you paid for a procedure with risks when the next 5 lbs might be the 5 lbs that make a difference.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

Jennloella · November 2018

it was a long time ago I don't remember my weight but I was in maintenance. - when I go below 150 I hate how I look so I must have been around 155 or 165, it was after my 2nd baby. Recovery was fine, this was old school lipo so I had bruising but results were great. I had two more babies after that and everything still looks good - I have tried cool sculpting more recently and while results are not as dramatic it was far easier - no anesthesia, can be done on lunch, etc. As far as inches I am not sure I ever measured - I didn't get it on my stomach I had it on my outer thighs and flanks.

Runaroundafieldx2 · November 2018

You're over weight.

You should focus on trying to get in to a healthy weight range then go see a surgeon to ask all your questions.

katie1234 · November 2018

kimny72 wrote: »

katie1234 wrote: »

I'm honestly just not that interested in people's personal opinion's on lipo or my weight.

If there's anyone who has been through it, I'd love to hear from them. Otherwise, I have a PT, a doctor, a therapist and various other people who are better qualified to give me advice.

I think the point people are trying to make is - just because you need to lose 5 lbs to get into the healthy BMI range, doesn't mean you only have to lose 5 lbs to get to the best weight for you. That's why BMI is a range. I'm 5'4 and I felt like a blimp at the upper limit of the healthy BMI range for my height. I'm currently right in the middle and still think I might try to lose another 5 lbs.

The thing with lipo or any surgery is there is no guarantee you'll like how you look when it's done, and there are always the possibility of complications. So perhaps first lose another 5 or 10 lbs and then make your decision. The midsection is often the last place people lose. I can say when I went from 130 to 125 is when I saw the obvious difference in my stomach. You don't always lose weight from all over. It would just be a shame if you paid for a procedure with risks when the next 5 lbs might be the 5 lbs that make a difference.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

People are really keen to give me answers to questions I didn't ask! As I said above, I have a doctor, a therapist and a personal trainer who are all much better placed than anyone here to give me general advice on weightloss and body image. That's why I'm specifically asking for advice from women who have gone through lipo for their first-hand experiences, which is what I'm much more interested in.

etherealanwar · November 2018

Personally I would only use it as a last resort, AFTER reaching a normal bmi weight. Seems like a lazy route to me but you do you.

kimny72 · November 2018

katie1234 wrote: »

kimny72 wrote: »

katie1234 wrote: »

I'm honestly just not that interested in people's personal opinion's on lipo or my weight.

If there's anyone who has been through it, I'd love to hear from them. Otherwise, I have a PT, a doctor, a therapist and various other people who are better qualified to give me advice.

I think the point people are trying to make is - just because you need to lose 5 lbs to get into the healthy BMI range, doesn't mean you only have to lose 5 lbs to get to the best weight for you. That's why BMI is a range. I'm 5'4 and I felt like a blimp at the upper limit of the healthy BMI range for my height. I'm currently right in the middle and still think I might try to lose another 5 lbs.

The thing with lipo or any surgery is there is no guarantee you'll like how you look when it's done, and there are always the possibility of complications. So perhaps first lose another 5 or 10 lbs and then make your decision. The midsection is often the last place people lose. I can say when I went from 130 to 125 is when I saw the obvious difference in my stomach. You don't always lose weight from all over. It would just be a shame if you paid for a procedure with risks when the next 5 lbs might be the 5 lbs that make a difference.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

People are really keen to give me answers to questions I didn't ask! As I said above, I have a doctor, a therapist and a personal trainer who are all much better placed than anyone here to give me general advice on weightloss and body image. That's why I'm specifically asking for advice from women who have gone through lipo for their first-hand experiences, which is what I'm much more interested in.

Sometimes having people give you additional info/ideas, even if it doesn't actually help you, at least bumps up your post so more people see it. But sorry I bumped up your post unnecessarily, didn't realize it would be a problem! I would suggest asking all your professionals if they have other people they've referred for lipo who would be willing to talk to you. I've been here 4 years, I don't know that I've ever seen someone mention having lipo in a post, but maybe you'll draw out some lurkers.

katie1234 · November 2018

etherealanwar wrote: »

Personally I would only use it as a last resort, AFTER reaching a normal bmi weight. Seems like a lazy route to me but you do you.

I will, thanks. Again, and I should probably get a megaphone, anyone who wants to have a general conversation about the pros and cons of liposuction is totally free to start their own thread. That's not the topic of this thread, and I would really appreciate if people could try to stay on topic. If liposuction isn't something you've had or considered, you're totally entitled to your opinion on that but it's really not what I'm looking for here. Thanks.

stolan2 · November 2018

I had lipo. My hereditary pot belly wasn't ever going to go away, regardless of how much I exercised. I also had those little fat areas on my lower back that you get after having kids - also not going away with exercise. My husband (who loves me regardless) said I looked in the mirror every morning and hated how I looked and he hated me thinking that about myself, so I should just get it done. I did and really happy with it. The belly wasn't painful at all, but the back was. I know others that didn't have pain at all. I think it just depends on the person. 3 years later, still happy every day I did it. I still exercise, etc. so the lipo was NOT a replacement for healthy living.

Women who have had liposuction: are you glad you did?

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