Who is not a good candidate for liposuction?

Liposuction is not a good weight loss method or a remote substitute for bariatric surgery. If one is not within 20% to 30% of the ideal body weight, they are likely have a greater problem than what liposuction can solve or improve.

What are the risks associated with liposuction surgery?

The most common risks of liposuction are cosmetic and consist of irregularities in the skin or uneveness of the fat removal areas. More significant risks of liposuction are encountered when large amounts of fat are attempted to be removed or when the operation is prolonged due to the combination with other cosmetic procedures. These rare risks are more significant and consist of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), infection, and fat or pulmonary emboli.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is the surgical removal of fat through a process known as negative pressure or a vacuum. It is intended to be used primarily for the removal of undesired areas of spot fat such as the abdomen, flanks, back rolls, inner and outer thighs, knees, and upper arms. But it can also be used for other more reconstructive procedures such as helping to reshape a reconstructed breast, removal of a large lipoma tumor, or to harvest fat for fat injection reconstruction of the breast or face.

What technique will the surgeon use to perform the liposuction?

There are numerous lipsuction methods but don't be misled by their names which can be confusing. Fundamentally, the differences in liposuction all revolve around the methods used to loosen up the fat. In the end, they all get suctioned or vacuumed out. My current personal preference is for Smartlipo, also known as laser-assisted liposuction. Using a small probe, the fat areas are heated and melted and then removed. This seems to cause less pain and bruising afterwards and the results may be better and more complete.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Anyone that has undesired areas of fat who is healthy and can safely undergo a surgical procedure is a good candidate for liposuctionj. Ideally, cosmetic fat removal should be done in someone who has a reasonably good weight and has made an effort through diet and exercise to reduce the fat areas on their own.