subject: Am I A Candidate For Liposuction? [print this page] Liposuction (also called lipoplasty and lipectomy) is a large and constantly growing industry. Hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo the surgery every year. Hundreds of thousands more people consider undergoing the procedure, but are undecided. This article will explore who is and who isn't a good candidate for liposuction.
Contrary to common belief, lipoplasty is not a weight-loss solution. Although it removes fat from the body, it is best suited for treating specific problem spots where excess fat is stored, not for extensive or total body weight loss. Treating too many target areas at a time, or removing too much fat at one time drastically increases the risks associated with liposuction. These risks include both minor problems such as blemishes or unattractive results and major problems such as serious injury or trauma.
As such, the best candidates for lipectomy are not overweight or obese. Patients should be within 20 or 30 pounds of their ideal body weight. Because lipoplasty is a surgical procedure which involves a certain amount of body trauma, patients should also be in relatively good health. The more healthy people are, the more quickly they will be able to recover.
People who have diseases or conditions that make it difficult for their bodies to heal are probably not good candidates for liposuction, and they should discuss these health issues carefully with their doctor before undergoing the procedure.
Some examples of diseases or conditions that could interfere in a lipectomy include chronic ailments, high blood pressure, diabetes, poor circulation and heart or lung disease.
Women who are pregnant or who are breast feeding are not candidates for lipoplasty, and they will have to wait until they are neither nursing nor pregnant before they can be considered.
Similarly, very young patients should not undergo liposuction. Typically, the cutoff age for lipoplasty is 18. Before this age, a person's body is usually not finished developing, and serious cosmetic surgery could leave to unusual or dangerous results.
Certain medications cause blood thinning, and a patient will have to stop using these medications before they can undergo surgery. Patients should speak to their surgeon and ask for a complete list of medications to ensure that theirs will not interfere with the surgery.
If you wonder whether or not you could be a candidate for liposuction, consider meeting with a surgeon in your area for a free consultation. After giving you a physical examination and reviewing your medical history, your physician should be able to help you know whether or not you qualify as a good candidate.
