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Liposuction for Losing Inches Safe Despite Being Overweight?

I am considering a form of liposuction to lose inches. I am overweight and have been working out, dieting and seeing a dietitian, but it seems most of my weight issues are in the trouble areas (Hips, Butt, and Tummy) and I can not for the life of me lose the weight/inches.

I do not want lipo to lose weight. I know that is not the point of it, but I want to lose some inches in my abdominal area, butt area, and hips/thighs.

Is this possible and if so is it safe even if I am overweight (but healthy in every other aspect of my life)?

Asked 28 months ago by Megs8808 in Seattle, WA

Tags:

abdomen buttocks hips thighs female weight loss overweight safety

Liposuction is safer if you don't do it under general anesthesia

Liposuction should be just fine for you to do and is a great motivator to continue to lose weight and exercise when you see the difference liposuction makes. Go ahead and get it done. You will be so happy you did.

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David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Liposuction to help lose inches

Liposuction as you stated is not a weigh loss procedure. It is a contouring or shaping procedure. Liposuction can be done on your problem areas to help you lose inches as long as you are healthy. Liposuction will still help you improve your shape even if you are overweight. Continuing to lose weight and doing plenty of exercise will only help to accent your results. Good Luck!

Stanley Castor, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Post liposuction

Possibly, but you also don’t want the fat to return quickly if your metabolism is such that you burn fewer calories than usual on a day to day basis. You should have a consultation with a nutritionist to carefully and honestly examine your caloric daily intake and manage this before surgery so that postoperatively you maintain the fat reduction. The volume removed needs to be of a safe amount and depending on how much is to be removed, the surgeon may recommend that it is done as more... more

Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

Liposuction for body contouring

It really depends on what you mean by overweight. It will help contour areas and allow a nicer shape to your overall body but it all depends on how much overweight you are. There is a limit to how much liposuction can be done as an outpatient and that needs to be kept in mind. Hope that answers your questions.

Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Liposuction to contour

Yes, liposuction can contour problem areas, but you are probably better off losing the weight that you want first, and then treating the problem areas.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

YES

Yes it is possible and may even be a good idea in your case. The key is to know that your skin must be elastic enough to shrink down to the smaller size after the fat is removed. Have your doctor evaluate this. Other options may include a tummy tuck, and if you are severly overweight, perhaps bariatric surgery.

Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Liposuction for losing inches in overweight patient

Dear Meg, As I understand your question - you are asking if it may be safe to have liposuction NOT as an obesity cure but rather to remove away a few inches. Liposuction is generally a very safe procedure IF you have no underlying silent medical conditions AND if the amount of actual fat removed is under 5 liters (4.4 imperial Quarts). Once we suction more than this, further care needs to be instituted (IV, observation etc). THE question therefore is HOW much will removal of 5 liters of fat... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Liposuction as contouring procedure

While you might lose inches as a side effect, liposuction or other body-contouring procedures are used in order to contour or shape the body. Measurements may change but is not the primary goal or intent of the surgery. Admitting to being overweight is important and may or may not disqualify you as a reasonable candidate for surgery. Seek out a respected and responsible plastic surgeon for a consultation.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Lipo is for shaping

Dear Megs, Liposuction will help shape the body even if you are heavier than you desire. Provided the issue that bothers you is fairly discrete, liposuction can provide some improvement. However, if every thing needs to be smaller, you are likely to be disappointed with the liposuction. Remember, liposuction will not translate into weight reduction. Every ounce that is removed will be comming back. What determines your body mass is what you eat and how much you metabolize. So, it is all... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Losing inches with liposuction

This sounds like this is not just localized but alot of areas. It is difficult to predict the amount of inches lost as a result of liposuction due to your bony skeleton and the style of your clothing wear.