Key Takeaways
- Liposuction is a body contouring procedure and was never designed to be a treatment for obesity or a method of weight loss.
- It effectively removes stubborn, localized fat deposits and improves body proportions for patients who are at or near their ideal weight.
- Liposuction cannot alter a patient's lifestyle, prevent future weight gain, or provide skin tightening for overweight individuals.
- Good candidates are non-smokers who are not overweight, have realistic expectations, and have diet-resistant areas of fat out of proportion with the rest of their body.
- Certain medical conditions including cardiac disease, diabetes, and immunodeficiency disorders may disqualify a patient from the procedure.
How many times have you heard people say, in reference to liposuction, Ill just get the fat sucked out of me? It is tempting to think of liposuction as a quick fix to a difficult problem, but it is a misconception to think that liposuction is an effective way to lose weight.
The obesity epidemic in the United States has led people to seek out ways to lose weight quickly and easily. Liposuction, however, was never meant to be a treatment for obesity. In addition, turning to liposuction as a weight loss option is not going to provide the results that patients are seeking.
What can liposuction do?
- Remove stubborn excess fat deposits in various areas of the body.
- Provide body contouring for a slimmer, more aesthetically pleasing line.
- Treat a specific area.
- Be paired with complimentary procedures for a more comprehensive change to your appearance.
What cant liposuction do?
- Alter your lifestyle, eating habits, and activity level.
- Rid your body of large fat deposits.
- Provide skin tightening for overweight individuals.
- Prevent you from gaining weight after the procedure.
Removing large amounts of fat from the body also carries a risk of complications. Increased time under anesthesia carries risks as does patients who are not healthy to begin with. People with cardiac conditions, heart disease, diabetes, edema, hypertension and immunodeficiency disorders are not good candidates for the procedure.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
There is no right age for a good liposuction candidate, but older patients whose skin has lost some elasticity might not have the tight results a younger patient will have. Liposuction is appropriate for both men and women.
A good candidate will not be overweight (or will be just slightly above average weight) and will not be a smoker. Liposuction patients must have realistic expectations of the results of the surgery. It is not a weight-loss method, and cannot be used to treat obesity. The patient should have diet-resistant areas of fat that are out of proportion with the rest of the body.
A good candidate for liposuction will also have firm skin. Patients with cellulite might not be good candidates because of the skin quality of the area.
If you are interested in learning more about liposuction in Northern Virginia, contact NOVA Plastic Surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is liposuction an effective way to lose weight?
No. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss tool. It is designed to remove stubborn, localized fat deposits that are out of proportion with the rest of the body, and it works best for patients who are already near their ideal weight.
What can liposuction realistically achieve?
Liposuction can permanently remove stubborn fat deposits from specific areas, improve body contours for a slimmer silhouette, treat a targeted problem area, and complement other cosmetic procedures for a more comprehensive transformation.
What are the limitations of liposuction?
Liposuction cannot change a patient's eating habits or lifestyle, remove large volumes of fat from the entire body, tighten skin in overweight individuals, or prevent weight gain from occurring after the procedure is performed.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
A good candidate is someone who is at or near a healthy weight, is not a smoker, has firm skin, and has specific areas of diet-resistant fat that are disproportionate to the rest of their body. They should also have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve.
Are there medical conditions that disqualify someone from liposuction?
Yes. Patients with cardiac conditions, heart disease, diabetes, edema, hypertension, or immunodeficiency disorders may not be suitable candidates for liposuction. A thorough consultation with a board-certified surgeon helps determine individual eligibility.