Can You Enhance Your Workout Routine With Liposuction?

High and low-intensity workouts are great for fat loss and sculpting your contours, but sometimes you need a little extra help. When you have stubborn fat in specific areas of your body that don’t respond to diet and exercise, a body sculpting treatment like liposuction can work wonders. For many women and men, liposuction not only reveals all the hard work they’ve done in the gym but also provides extra motivation to continue their healthy lifestyles.

How Does Liposuction Work?

You will be under local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia during your procedure to ensure your comfort. Your provider will then use a cannula to suction out subcutaneous fat deposits in areas of your body such as your upper arms, abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. The procedure can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the areas you want to treat and the amount of fat involved. You can usually go home the same day but will need someone to drive you home.

Some discomfort, swelling, and bruising are typical after the procedure. Your provider will advise you to start moving your body as soon as possible to keep your blood circulating. Swelling and bruising should subside in a few weeks.

What Areas of the Body Can You Get Liposuction?

You can get liposuction on any area of your body with pockets of stubborn fat; however, it’s important to recognize that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. You should be at a stable weight, have a BMI of 30 or lower, and have good skin elasticity before undergoing liposuction.

Below are the most common areas treated with liposuction.

Upper arms—You can eliminate the excess fat that accumulates on your upper arms, also called a “batwing.”

Upper abdomen—The area between your bellybutton and ribs is a frustrating place to gather fat. You can eliminate this upper belly fat with liposuction.

Lower abdomen—The lower abdomen tends to store fat more easily than other parts of the midsection. Liposuction effectively eliminates this fat, helping clothing to fit better.

Under the chin—Liposuction can be used to improve the fat deposits under the chin, also called a “double chin.”

Buttocks—Fat deposits can accumulate under your buttocks, forming a crescent-shaped bulge. Liposuction can eliminate these hard-to-shed fat deposits, sometimes called “banana rolls.”

Outer and inner thighs—You can use liposuction to slim down fat pockets on the outer thighs, also called “saddlebags,” and on the inner thighs to create a “thigh gap.”

Lower legs—It is not as common to get liposuction on the lower legs, but it’s an effective way to eliminate extra fat around the ankles and calves.

Depending on the area you want to be treated, you may need more than one liposuction treatment for the best results.

How Liposuction Benefits Your Workout Routine

We’ve already mentioned that liposuction removes the fat obscuring your hard-won muscle tone. The procedure also offers other benefits for your workout routine:

More comfortable workouts—Without those unwanted bulges getting in the way, your range of motion improves and it’s easier and more comfortable to move around.

Expanded activity options—Excess fat can make you self-conscious, often limiting where and how you work out. Removing excess fat boosts how you feel about your body so you can tackle all those activities you previously felt unsure about.

Improved motivation—Now that you have that sleek body you’ve always wanted, you’re inclined to keep it that way. Many people report that their liposuction procedure inspires them to exercise more so they can maintain their results.

How To Get Back To Your Workout Routine After Liposuction

Liposuction can enhance your workouts, and your workouts can optimize your liposuction results. Here is a guide to safety working out after liposuction.

Week 1

In the first week after your procedure, your focus should be on rest. However, engaging in gentle movement as soon as you are able is important for blood circulation–even if that’s getting up every couple of hours to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. You can usually do some light walking around the house 2 to 3 days after your liposuction procedure. Go at a pace you are comfortable with, and make sure to rest if you feel any discomfort.

Weeks 2 to 3

You should be recovering nicely, and you can add on longer walks and low-intensity cycling. The goal is to lengthen your workouts without straining your body and elevating your heart rate too much.

Weeks 3 to 5

You can start light strength training if you feel up to it, as long as your plastic surgeon has cleared the activity. It’s better to use weight machines rather than free weights as the machines provide more stability.

Week 6

At the Week-6 mark, you should be almost completely recovered and ready to resume your regular, pre-liposuction workouts. Start slowly, gradually working up to your usual pace, and pay attention to any warning signs or unusual symptoms.

Why You Should Exercise After Liposuction

Liposuction is not a magic bullet for stubborn fat; you can quickly regain fat with a sedentary lifestyle. The best way to maintain your liposuction results is to stay at a stable weight by eating a balanced diet and following a consistent exercise routine.

Additionally, exercise helps manage all types of fat in your body. Liposuction cannot address visceral fat, the deeper fat that winds around your abdominal organs and is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Exercise fights visceral fat and decreases your risk for heart disease and other chronic health conditions.

Is Liposuction a Weight Loss Procedure?

As the Mayo Clinic explains, liposuction is not for weight loss but rather for stubborn fat loss. This procedure can eliminate pockets of excess fat but can’t affect your overall weight. You need to be at a stable weight when opting for liposuction to get the best results and have a smooth recovery.

Liposuction can enhance the areas of your body that are hard to change through diet and exercise. Most men and women are thrilled with their liposuction results; you can see why in our patients’ before and after pictures. If you are ready to contour your body with liposuction, request a consultation at our Newport Beach or Temecula office or call us at (949) 760-0600 to schedule an appointment.