Liposuction is still the most common form of elective body contouring performed in the country and our office. It is a procedure that is also utilized when performing other forms of body contouring operations, such as abdominoplasty, body lifts, thigh lifts, and breast reductions. Most patients that are considering cosmetic body contouring often wonder if liposuction is right for them. The ideal candidate for liposuction is someone that is healthy, young, and is really in pretty good shape but has isolated disproportionate fat collections. The intended purpose of liposuction, as a contouring operation, when it is used by itself, is to put those isolated disproportionate fat collections in better proportion to surrounding areas. It is therefore necessary for this ideal candidate to have excellent skin elasticity and not have an abundance or redundant amount of skin.
If someone is not particularly healthy they probably should think twice about having an elective procedure. If someone has generalized obesity or is overweight all over, then it is much more difficult to achieve the smooth contoured shape that is most desired. If someone has redundant or damaged skin elasticity, then one of the other body contouring operations where skin and fat are directly excised may be preferable.
Remember this though: just because a patient is not an ideal candidate for liposuction, that does not necessarily eliminate their chances of having liposuction. Health status can be tuned up. Alternative procedures may be available. Liposuction can also be performed on a less than ideal candidate if expectations for a given result are set differently. In other words, maybe instead of having a goal of looking better in a bathing suit, the less-than-ideal candidate has a more realistic goal of just looking better in clothing. To discuss all of this, and to find out what kind of candidate you are for liposuction, make sure that you consult with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon.
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