Do You Still Have to Work Out After Liposuction?

April 13th, 2018 | Posted in: Liposuction |

As many people know there is good fat and there is bad fat. If you’ve recently undergone a tummy tuck procedure you are most likely enjoying your newer, tighter physique. However, this doesn’t mean you are exempt from regaining excess intra-abdominal adipose tissue (or visceral fat.) Visceral fat is particularly dangerous because it increases your risk for heart disease or diabetes, as it is stored around the organs deep within your abdomen.

Is there anything you can do about this? Why, yes! You can exercise to counteract the effect!

If you would like to learn more about receiving liposuction in Beverly Hills, schedule an appointment with Dr. Chiu today to discuss your options.

Why Do I Have to Exercise After Liposuction?

What do you think will happen if you don’t eat right or exercise after liposuction? Will you still gain weight?
Of course you will!

Plastic surgeon Sherrell J. Aston, MD, reminds all his patients that “Liposuction is a contouring procedure. You have to do all the sensible things to maintain this. Without a healthy diet and a good exercise regimen, you will put weight back on.”

What are the Dangers of Visceral Fat?

When you remove fat cells through liposuction in any particular part of the body, the loss is permanent, and the fat cells will not return to that area.

With one part of your body fat disabled, the fat cells in other parts of the body will “pick up the slack,” perhaps creating a disproportionate figure. But your figure is only cosmetic; what doctors are really concerned about is the danger of increasing visceral fat.

Visceral fat is thought to be more harmful for you than subcutaneous fat. Studies have linked visceral fat with the development of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that include high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and insulin resistance, all of which increase the risk for heart disease.

After liposuction, exercise prevents an increase in visceral fat.

How Soon Can I Exercise After my Liposuction Procedure?

Most doctors recommend that patients start or restart an exercise regimen about 2-3 weeks after liposuction to best enhance results, although (light) general activity can be resumed 1-2 days after.

Light Physical Activity

Light activity includes things like general household activities and easy walking. It is important to maintain this level of activity in the first 1-2 days after surgery to avoid blot clots. Physicians generally recommend you exercise at 25% of your normal effort level during the first phase of recovery.

Aerobic Activity

Light aerobic exercise (mainly walking) is recommended in the first 2 days post-surgery. The most important thing to do is listen to your body’s signals and not push yourself beyond your personal level of comfort while you are healing. You will return to your old exercise routine slowly and at a much lower intensity level than you are probably used to, gradually building up to the 6-week mark when you can resume higher impact activities such as running and aerobics.

Resistance Exercises

Resistance exercises that do not impact the area of the body that was treated surgically can be resumed as early as the 2nd week after surgery. As with aerobic exercise, resistance routines should be entered gradually and increased only with great care and attention to how your body responds. Medical attention is necessary if any pain, discomfort or drainage result from resistance exercise. Once incisions are healed well and bruises begin to disappear, or about 6 weeks after surgery, resistance exercises can be resumed as tolerated around surgical areas.

Takeaway: A Combination of Diet and Gentle Exercise Will Help You Achieve Your Best Results After Liposuction Surgery?

Some healthy foods to eat during your recovery

• High protein foods (lean meats, protein shakes, Greek yogurt, vegetable proteins)
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Healthy fats (raw nuts/seeds, avocado, extra virgin olive oil)
• Whole grains (beans/lentils, brown rice, oat-fashion oatmeal)
• Drink plenty of water (may also drink herbal teas and green tea)

Foods to avoid

• Processed food (convenience foods/prepackaged items, frozen dinners, canned vegetables, cereal, fast food
• High sodium foods, such as: canned soup, packaged meat (lunch meat, bacon, salami), cheese, snack foods (popcorn, pretzels)
• Saturated fats (butter, dried coconut, dry-roasted nuts)
• Sugary foods
• Avoid soda, fruit juices and other processed drinks

Liposuction in Beverly Hills

Liposuction at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery can remove stubborn fat from commonly treated areas as well as other areas you might not have thought of that are difficult to target with diet and exercise alone. The satisfaction of losing even a small amount of weight with liposuction may be just the encouragement you need to proceed with a healthier lifestyle and lose even more weight! If you have further questions regarding liposuction in Beverly Hills, contact us online or at (310) 888-8087 to request a consultation today!