Can I Get Pregnant After Liposuction?
Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed today. As such, there are a lot of questions surrounding the procedure. Many women interested in liposuction in Portland have hopes of having children in the future and want to know if undergoing the procedure will affect their ability to bear children. In this blog post, Portland plastic surgeon Dr. Ronald DeMars answers this question in detail.
Pregnancy After Liposuction
First and foremost, liposuction does not affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. Liposuction targets small deposits of fat on the body and poses no risk to a woman’s reproductive organs or other organs for that matter. However, if you are contemplating having children in the near future, Dr. DeMars advises that you wait to have liposuction. In most cases, the weight gained during pregnancy will not affect the long-term effects of liposuction. Because liposuction permanently destroys fat cells in the treated area, they cannot return. However, if a patient does gain weight in the future, it will accumulate in other body areas. For instance, liposuction in the abdomen will not prevent fat from accumulating in the buttocks, arms or thighs following pregnancy. Keep in mind that if the abdominal skin becomes overly stretched by pregnancy, Dr. DeMars may recommend a tummy tuck procedure to regain a tighter abdomen.
If you choose to get pregnant after liposuction, Dr. DeMars advises you wait until your body is fully healed from the procedure. Every patient’s healing process is different but the doctor recommends waiting a minimum of six months after having liposuction before getting pregnant.
More About Liposuction
Liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. During the procedure, Dr. DeMars will make a tiny, strategically placed incision in the treatment area and insert a small cannula (thin tube). He will use the cannula to break up the fatty tissue in the area before gently removing it via suction. Once Dr. DeMars is done removing the fat, he will close the incisions and place a compression garment around the area to help the tissues heal.
Liposuction is often paired with lift procedures (e.g., arm lift, thigh lift, body lift) to produce smoother and firmer body contours. Dr. DeMars can make recommendations on an appropriate treatment plan for you after your initial consultation.
Learn More About Liposuction
To schedule a one-on-one liposuction consultation with Dr. DeMars, please call his Portland office at (503) 253-3458.