Liposuction absolutely does not cause cellulite but it can sometimes make it better or worse. If you think of a cellulite dimple as a valley surrounded by a fatty hill, it is theoretically possible to get mild improvement with conservative lipo on the surrounding fat.
In practice, this is not a predicatable technique however. In addition, lipo under a cellulite dimple will deepen the valley and definitely make it worse. In my practice, I tell my patients that lipo is a cellulite neutral technique.
It should be neither better nor worse, although we often see a slight improvement. (David Shuter, MD, Jupiter Plastic Surgeon)
The effect of Liposuction on Cellulite is variable
It is important at the outset to understand that liposuction does not CAUSE cellulite. Fundamentally, cellulite is a SKIN problem, with many contributing factors. Similarly, liposuction involves treatment of the subcutaneous fat… While it IS true that the outcome from your liposuction procedure is highly dependent on your skin quality and quantity (part of the reason Board Certified Plastic Surgeons spend YEARS learning liposuction), liposuction will NOT make cellulite go away- nor will it cause cellulite.
It is possible that poorly performed liposuction may make the APPEARANCE of your cellulite more noticeable, but it is equally possible that well-performed liposuction may improve or minimize its appearance.
Your best bet in order to minimize this, and all risks, of the procedure, is to see a surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. (Armando Soto, MD, FACS, Orlando Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction should not promote cellulite formation after the procedure. However, I never say it will never happen.
It is very unlikely. If you had cellulite to begin with, it may not make it better and it could make it worse. (Steven Wallach, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction doesn’t cause cellulite, but cellulite can worsen if you already have it. If fat is removed unevenly during liposuction, dimpling can result and look very similar to cellulite. (Dana Goldberg, MD, Jupiter Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction does NOT cause cellulite. One of the risks of liposuction, however, is contour irregularities. Discuss with your surgeon his or her plans for avoiding contour problems and be certain to follow postoperative instructions!. (Adam David Lowenstein, MD, FACS, Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon)
Aggressive liposuction could leave you with a picture similar to cellulite with skin surface irregularities. The key in liposuction is what you leave behind and not what you remove. One thing for sure if you already got cellulite it could make it worse. (Hisham Seify, MD, PhD, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction in general does not improve cellulite and can actually make it worse by making what you already have become more visible. However, it does not cause cellulite.(Jerome Edelstein, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)
Unfortunately liposuction doesn’t improve cellulite and in some cases actually makes it look worse. This appears to be related to the patients age and underlying skin tone. In our experience older patients with poor skin tone are much more likely to develop this problem.
A variety of treatments have been used for managing cellulite, but none of these have been uniformly successful. At this time there’s no reliable treatment for cellulite. (Richard J. Bruneteau, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction can cause cellulite to become more noticeable. I would suggest Cellulaze to reduce your cellulite. Cellulaze is the only minimally invasive laser procedure designed to attack the structure of cellulite beneath your skin. Cellulaze is backed by many years of clinical research.
Studies have shown it increases the thickness of your skin by 25% and the elasticity of your skin by 29% — significant claims that haven’t been made by any other treatments. (Daniel Shapiro, MD, Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon)
There is no connection between Liposuction and Cellulite. One does not cause the other. It is best to be at your desired body weight before under going liposuction. (Robert E. Zaworski, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
“Cellulite” refers to irregularities that occurred on the surface of the skin. Liposuction will not cure cellulite; it will remove fat and reduce contour. Patients with severe cases of cellulite will not benefit from liposuction surgery and may require skin excision (for example tummy tuck or thigh lifting) to achieve the desired results.
If you are considering the procedure I would suggest in person consultation with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.(Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)
No correlation between liposuction and cellulite
Prior to the use of tumescent liposuction, it was possible for the procedure to create a dimpling effect which had the appearance of cellulite and this was a prospective complication I discussed with every patient during the informed consent.
Thankfully, the tumescent procedure has obviates this issue and produces a more consistent and aesthetically acceptable result. (Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS, New York Plastic Surgeon)
One of the most important things to note is that every estrogen producing female from age 9-99 has cellulite. There is no known permanent cure or treatment for cellulite. The major concern about liposuction and cellulite is you can not remove or improve cellulite with liposuction.
However, you can make it worse especially if you do superficial liposuction or if you over suction an area. You can improve some of the deep cellulite by doing fat injection in these areas to help provide for a smoother contour.
The bottom line is that liposuction does not cure or improve cellulite and can make it worse if it is not done properly. (Rod J. Rohrich, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction and cottage cheese look
It depends on your skin quality, good skin retracts back quickly and no ripling. If your skin is lax and have lost its elasticity then you will have excess skin and waviness. Choose a board certified PS with experience and follow his/her advise. (Samir Shureih, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction does not cause cellulite
If you do not have cellulite prior to the procedure, lipo will not create this appearance. Having said that, picture an old balloon with surface dimpling. If it is filled with air, the irregularites would be less noticeable.
If it is deflated, the surface irregularities would be more obvious. Similarly, If your skin has surface changes preoperatively, these may become more obvious after liposuction. In this situation, the patient has to decide if the improved overall shape is worth possibly making the surface irregularities more visible. (Jeffrey Horowitz, MD, Bel Air Plastic Surgeon)
Cellulite had long been misunderstood. We now know it has at least 4 different anatomic causes including some hormonal reasons. In general, Liposuction does not cause it, but it can make it more noticable, and sometimes make it look a bit better. (Barry E. DiBernardo, MD, Montclair Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction does not treat cellulite. Liposuction is meant to improve the contour of a specific area – such as “saddlebags” or “love handles” – that has localized fatty deposit that is resistant to diet and exercise.
One risk of liposuction is contour irregularities postop. To minimize the downsides – you should have good skin tone and treat only a localized area.
The larger the area, the more likely you will have contour irregularities. (Bahram Ghaderi, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)