Will fat regrow after liposuction? Analysis of dry and wet liposuction methods and timing.

Will fat grow back in areas where liposuction has been performed?

Like other cells, fat cells develop from fibroblasts under certain conditions. However, unlike other cells, the number of fat cells does not increase after sexual maturity. When excess energy in the body is converted into fat and accumulates in fat cells, these cells can become quite large, and their size varies significantly depending on the location.

During liposuction, the number of fat cells in the treated areas is significantly less than in the untreated areas. Even in individuals who tend to gain weight after surgery, the growth rate of fat cells in the treated areas is far lower than that in the untreated areas.

As for why some people gain weight after liposuction, there are likely many reasons. Common issues include: ① In cases of severe abdominal fat accumulation, only 100-200 ml of fat is removed. The fat will naturally return, as this is due to incomplete reduction of fat cells and the surgeon's lack of experience. ② Obesity can occur after liposuction if the patient has underlying medical conditions that cause excessive fat accumulation, such as Koplik's syndrome, pituitary tumors, or certain medications like hormones. However, areas that have undergone liposuction will not regain fat.

What is "dry liposuction"?

A common liposuction technique is negative pressure liposuction, where fat is directly suctioned through a percutaneous incision under anesthesia. In this procedure, small blood vessels are in a normal state, making bleeding more likely. The amount of blood and lipid mixture suctioned is relatively small, at most about 2000 ml, with a blood-to-lipid ratio of approximately 1:1, resulting in significant blood loss. Generally, blood needs to be prepared before the procedure, and blood transfusions are performed simultaneously with fat suction. This safety factor affects the effectiveness of liposuction, meaning that large amounts of fat cannot be suctioned.

In the past, liposuction cannulas were used with a relatively large diameter, approximately 10-16 mm, and a lower negative pressure, about 0.06 MPa. During the procedure, a small incision was made directly in the skin, and the cannula was inserted for suction. Using a large cannula creates very large tunnels, leaving a strip of normal tissue between the tunnels, which appears as grooves, like a washboard. The treated area is difficult to achieve a smooth finish after surgery, and the procedure has lower safety. Currently, few doctors use the dry liposuction method.

What is the "wet liposuction method"?

Compared to the "dry liposuction method," a liquid containing certain medication is injected into the area to be treated before liposuction. This saturates the tissue, causing the capillaries in this area to constrict due to the pressure of the injected fluid and the hemostatic agent. Fat is then suctioned out.

This method allows for large aspiration volumes, exceeding 5000ml in a single procedure, with some individuals even able to extract 10000ml in a single surgery. The blood lipid ratio is approximately 1:10 or higher, resulting in high surgical safety and significant effects.

Common wet aspiration methods are divided into two types: over-infusion and doubling methods. Over-infusion, as the name suggests, involves injecting an excessive amount of fluid into the area to be treated, causing the skin to cool and turn white. This method makes it difficult to estimate the actual amount of fat to be removed, and the shallow infusion site can cause localized skin pigmentation that takes a long time to recover. The doubling method, on the other hand, involves uniformly injecting a pre-calculated amount of fluid that doubles the volume of fat in the treatment area into the tissue. This allows for accurate and effective fat aspiration, and also allows for the selection of appropriate instruments and shorter surgical time. This requires the surgeon to possess correct calculation methods and skilled surgical techniques.

Is there a specific time of year for weight loss?

From the perspective of body weight fluctuations, the period of heaviest weight is mostly in autumn and winter. Losing weight during these times can effectively control obesity, allowing you to comfortably enjoy the remaining two seasons.

From the perspective of seasonal changes, summer is hot and causes excessive sweating, requiring daily bathing. However, bathing is prohibited for six days after surgery. Therefore, it's best to avoid surgery in summer without adequate shelter from the heat to prevent postoperative infection.

From the perspective of temperature changes, warmer climates can shorten postoperative recovery time. While various warming measures can be taken in the cold winter, there are still factors that can affect postoperative recovery. Therefore, spring and autumn are more suitable seasons for liposuction.