Hypothyoidism and liposuction

I was unfortunately diagnosed at 16 with hypothyroidismand I was told I was probably born with it.  I do not work out 5 days a week, but I do try to make it to the gym 2 or 3 times per week.  I am just getting started looking at the proper diet for hypothyroidism (I didn't realize there were such diets) and I'm trying to organize my life according to my illness.  My concern is that if someone were to receive liposuction or any type of weight alteration and they are taking the appropriate medication, will the weight come back over time?  I mean, I don't want to spend a lot of money to have the end result fail.  I've thought about it all and I have wondered about what problems can occur.  

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Liposuction is used to contour areas of the body that do not respond to weight loss and exercise.  It is not a tool for weight loss.  Once that contour is achieved, the new shape is permanent.  That does not mean that patients cannot and do not gain weight after this surgery.  I certainly have seen patients who have had successful liposuction, go on to gain substantial weight after this procedure.  The contour that was created after the procedure is maintained, but they become overall much heavier.