subject: What Kinds Of Things Play A Role In Liposuction Candidacy? [print this page] Because liposuction is an invasive surgical procedure it is not appropriate for all patients. When considering the procedure, patients should understand the possible complications that could arise from pre-existing health conditions or results differing from their personal expectations. Patients should always discuss their candidacy for the procedure with their doctor or surgeon before making the decision to have the surgery.
Like any cosmetic surgical procedure, liposuction requires a person to be in general good health, and is reserved for people near their healthy weight, usually within 25 pounds of that weight. Nevertheless, the health of a patient is the most important factor. Serious diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardiac arrhythmias, heart or lung disease, blood circulation problems, seizure disorders, or immunodeficiency disorders generally disqualify a person from having liposuction. Pregnant or nursing women cannot have liposuction. Taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin and Courmadin, or that inhibit the metabolism of lidocaine, the local anesthetic used in tumescent liposuction, endanger liposuction patients and should be discontinued at least two weeks before surgery.
Patients are typically a minimum of 18 years old and can be any age beyond that, although older patients are more likely to have medical complications that may interfere with the procedure. The elasticity of skin is also a determining factor in a patient's candidacy for liposuction, as it must be able to snap back and be shaped around the new contour of the body after the fat is removed. This may be a difficulty with elderly patients; however, many are perfectly satisfied with their new shape despite some new wrinkles and creping of the skin.
A good candidate for liposuction should also have realistic and educated expectations concerning their results. Liposuction is for those who have earnestly tried dieting and exercising, yet still have 10 to 15 pounds of fat remaining in certain pockets of the body. Liposuction is not a permanent weight-loss or health solution. A study reported by The New York Times in 2004 found that liposuction only improves appearance, not health, and even a patient's results may not conform to their desired appearance. Irregularities or lack of smoothness are common. The surgery cannot eliminate stretch marks or cellulite, only localized concentrations of fat. It is not meant to dramatically change a patient's appearance, but to achieve subtle body re-contouring. Most disappointed patients expect more dramatic results than were possible or are unhappy with the unnatural look that may occur where fat has been removed.
