Avoiding Post-Lipo Weight Gain During the Holidays

Liposuction is the 4^th most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US. Almost 200,000 procedures were performed last year. Do you wonder how many people kept the weight off?

According to a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official publication of the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), those patients who did not adhere to a good diet following liposuction were 3 times more likely to gain weight. Those who didn’t exercise were 4 times more likely to gain weight.

The study surveyed over 200 patients. The good news is that 25% lost weight and 32% maintained their weight. That means that more than half of liposuction patients either lose or maintain their weight following a liposuction procedure. Unfortunately, 43% of liposuction patients in the survey gained weight after liposuction, with the greatest weight gain occurring approximately six months after their procedure.

Liposuction is not a quick fix for weight loss. It’s a commitment to resolving stubborn areas of fat that plague you and don’t disappear even with diligent workouts and avoidance of junk food. All of us are genetically programmed to store fat in specific areas. Perhaps it’s your thighs or around your waist. Some people are prone to fat in the buttocks. Liposuction is a method to eliminate fat cells in these problem areas. Unfortunately, if you don’t make a commitment to maintaining your results, you’ll gain weight.

With the holidays coming up, I thought you might like some tips for maintaining your weight (whether or not you’ve had lipo) when the treats are up front and center over the next eight weeks:

·       Drink the recommended 8 glasses of water daily.

§  Keeping yourself well hydrated not only keeps you feeling full, it also helps with mood and concentration.

§  Drink two full glasses of water, iced tea or low-cal beverage before a festive meal. You’ll still enjoy yourself, but will feel full sooner.

·       Watch the alcohol.

§  Beer, wine and mixed drinks contain empty calories. Drinking also lowers your inhibitions, leaving you vulnerable to overeating.

·       Enjoy in moderation.

§  Having said the above, sticking to one glass of wine, one bottle of beer or one cocktail allows you the enjoyment without risking too many empty calories

§  The same goes with treats. One or two cookies, one slice of pie, one day of falling off the commitment to eat well doesn’t have to lead to a week of overeating.

o   Eat Before You Leave

§  Enjoy a ½ turkey sandwich on whole grain bread or pita with sprouts, lettuce and tomatoes before leaving for the restaurant, party or family dinner. It will keep you from feeling starved by the time the meal is served.

o   Be on the Lookout

§  Focus on seafood, chicken, veggies and cheeses at parties and avoid the deep-fried canapés and other rich foods or limit yourself to one of the high fat offerings. You’ll feel better about yourself and the weight will stay off!

Holidays mean food, fun, and family, but they don’t have to mean weight gain. Having a positive mental attitude and a commitment to maintaining your new shape will get you to January feeling and looking wonderful!

What tips would you like to share to manage your weight during the holidays?

To your health and beauty, 

Dr. Joe Danyo

LASER ASSISTED LIPO: HELPFUL OR HYPE?

At our most recent ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) meeting in Washington, DC, two board certified plastic surgeon colleagues presented both sides of the laser liposuction debate. Dr. Barry DiBernardo of New Jersey is a proponent of laser liposuction while Dallas-based Dr. Jeffrey Kenkel is less excited about lasers’ inclusion in liposuction.

The ASAPS’ annual statistics show that Lipoplasty (the medical term for fat removal) is the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in America. Nearly 300,000 of them were performed in 2009. Since the first laser-assisted Lipoplasty device was approved by the FDA in 2006, surgeons have been in a hot debate about whether it’s a great new tool or just good marketing on the part of companies such as SmartLipo.

Basically, laser-assisted Lipoplasty means that a laser is used to break up the fat cells before they are suctioned out of the body. A tiny incision is made through which a laser probe is inserted and aimed at the fatty tissue to rupture the fat cells. Then the laser is pulled back toward the skin to stimulate the skin cells to tighten, a feature that doesn’t happen in traditional liposuction.

"Over the last two-and-a-half years there has been extensive research and development into laser-assisted lipoplasty, including multiple rounds of research and comparative studies published in peer-reviewed journals," said Dr. DiBernardo, a plastic surgeon in Montclair, NJ. "Ultimately, laser-assisted lipolysis has come to be an important tool in the fat loss armamentarium."

"It is important to note that no device is a magic wand," added Dr. Kenkel, a plastic surgeon in Dallas, TX. "Despite any hype generated by manufacturers, physicians, patients, or the media, results are ultimately practitioner-driven."

The bottom line? Any kind of cosmetic surgery should be done by a board certified plastic surgeon, not someone who has taken a weekend course or two. No tool can replace the skill and experience of a board certified plastic surgeon. Check out my website to see the before/after photos that I’ve shared regarding SmartLipo, a technique I have found to be highly effective!

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo