subject: How Old Is Too Old For Liposuction? [print this page] Liposuction (also referred to as lipoplasty and suction lipectomy) is a surgery which enjoys a great deal of popularity. For twelve out of the past thirteen years, it has topped the charts as the number one most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo the procedure.
The appeal of the procedure is spreading. When it was first invented, it seems that the typical recipients of the surgery were rich, upper class women. Recent developments have made the surgery appealing to a much wider demographic. Societal and gender role changes have contributed to a greater number of men choosing to undergo the procedure. Currently somewhere between 10% and 15% of all liposuction patients are men, but the numbers are on the rise.
Liposuction is similarly growing in popularity across the class divide. Cosmetic surgery financing is making it more and more possible for people to undergo the surgery, even if they can't afford the cost of a lipoplasty out of pocket.
Cosmetic surgery is similarly growing in popularity among different ethnic groups, meaning that more minorities are beginning to undergo the surgery.
One final way in which the surgery is growing is across age lines. People are beginning to get the surgery younger and older. Although the most lipoplasties are still being performed on people between their 20's and 50's, there are people who continue to get the procedure into their 60's and beyond.
However, the question should at some point be asked: "How old is too old?" Although each doctor seems to have a different personal opinion, and although it is difficult to give an across the board age, there are some basics that can be established.
A person needs to have the physical health necessary for undergoing an invasive surgery. If a person does not have the stamina required, there can be serious complications. For ideal aesthetic results, a person should also have sufficiently elastic skin. Health and skin elasticity frequently both deteriorate as a person ages.
Older people considering liposuction should be cautious and put their health first. Although the procedure can successfully be performed on a number of people, it is not worth unduly risking one's health and safety.
If you want to know whether you are still a candidate for lipoplasty, you should speak with a surgeon in your area. Many surgeons offer free consultations to potential clients. If you share your concerns with your doctor, he or she should be able to help you to know whether or not you would be a good candidate for the procedure.
