When is liposuction the right choice?

Liposuction is most effective for people of relatively normal weight with unsightly bulges that can’t be eliminated by diet and/or exercise alone. It is often used to reduce “love handles,” “double chins,” “bra bulges” and other fatty deposits. Liposuction is not a cure for generalized obesity, and it isn’t a substitute for exercise and diet in maintaining good health. In addition, liposuction is not effective in removing cellulite or sagging skin.

Those with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat are the most ideal candidates for liposuction. It can work for people of any age, but because aging does affect skin elasticity, younger people tend to have the best results.

So what might stop me from having liposuction?

Okay, sounds good so far, but there are a few more things you should be aware of. Like many other surgeries, people with certain pre-existing conditions should not undergo liposuction. These conditions include severe heart disease, blood clotting disorders, and those that are pregnant. As with any surgery, people with other medical conditions should be thoroughly evaluated. For example, some conditions which might prevent you from having liposuction include:

• Heart disease, including high blood pressure
• Breathing problems such as COPD or pulmonary embolism
• Diabetes
• Allergies to antibiotics or medications used in the procedure

Are there other risks from the surgery?

Essentially the health risks of liposuction are similar to any surgical procedure. They include bleeding, infection, swelling, and blood clots. In addition, liposuction has other inherent risks, such as:

• Shock or fluid imbalances
• Fat embolism (tiny globules of fat in the blood stream that can block blood from reaching tissues)
• Nerve, skin, or tissue damage from the heat or instruments used.

An other risk is that the results of your surgery may not be what you initially expected. In some cases, the fat may not be removed evenly or the skin may be scarred or sagging after treatment. Additional surgery or other procedures may be required to satisfy your expectations. Moreover, the results you achieve can be temporary. You may regain the weight in the same areas or you may gain fat in areas of your body where you did not have it before. You should be sure to talk with your plastic surgeon and ask a lot of questions. Ask to see before and after pictures of patients with similar body types and procedures. And perhaps most importantly, discuss with your surgeon your expectations of body contouring.