All Your Liposuction & Fat Grafting Questions Answered!

A crash course in liposuction and fat grafting. Here’s all you need to know about these procedures!

Sometimes, no matter how much exercise you do, and how careful you are about eating well, there’s a bit of excess weight you just can’t seem to move. Or maybe you’ve lost a heap of weight and suddenly realised that your face is looking a little too gaunt? This is where medical procedures like fat grafting and liposuction can sometimes help.

To find out more about these procedures, we sat down with Medical Director Dr Ivan Puah from Amaris B. Clinic to get the facts about these aesthetic treatments.

When your diet-and-exercise routine isn’t working

I think liposuction is great for worst-case scenarios, especially if you have fat you can’t get rid of, despite eating healthy and exercising regularly (perhaps a genetic thing?). I totally would try, but only if it’s safe and doesn’t get in the way of common medical issues such as asthma. – Camelia Khalid, Lifestyle Writer

Dr Ivan Puah says…

Liposuction or fat grafting is a great option for people who want to improve their body shape but have failed to do so through other means such as dieting and exercising. Genetics play a big part when it comes to body fat distribution. For example, women with ‘pear-shaped’ body types have more disproportionate fat layers on their lower body areas such as thighs, hips and buttocks. 

For these women, fat cells in these areas are usually more resistant to weight loss than those in their upper body areas, which is where liposuction may help. Fat grafting can also help by transferring fats from unwanted areas such as the thighs and into the breasts or buttocks to achieve a curvier shape.

Bouncing back (and not in a good way)

I know someone who had liposuction done on her midsection, but regained the fat, and then some! Is it true that the fat removed might return again? – Yvonne Poh, Client Services Manager

Dr Ivan Puah says…

Under normal circumstances, we do not ‘regain’ fat cells that are removed by liposuction. Localised fat loss resulting from liposuction and fat grafting is usually permanent. For example, if one has ‘saddlebags’ around the hips, liposuction can remove those unwanted fat layers and change one’s body contour permanently. However, liposuction and fat grafting are not meant for weight management – that still depends on a healthy lifestyle!

Spreading the love (handles)

I would try it if someone else was footing the bill (haha) but am afraid of the pain. I have also heard that even if the fat is removed in one area, it gets dispersed elsewhere! I would freak out if I ended up with a hugely fat neck. – Tracy Tristram, HoneyKids Writer

Dr Ivan Puah says…

This is a common myth. Fat does not get dispersed to other areas after liposuction. Areas treated with liposuction will usually look leaner and ‘flatter’ regardless of your weight fluctuations. There will not be a disproportionate gain in other areas of the body.

What works for others may not work for you – and that’s okay!

I wouldn’t try either at the moment or probably in the future. To me, the results may not last a long time. I’d rather exercise and eat healthy. – Nafessa Saini, Beauty Writer

Dr Ivan Puah says…

Liposuction is not meant to be for everyone. In fact, you should always try to stay in shape with a healthy diet and proper workouts.