Liposuction: Q&A

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Could I Be a Candidate for Liposuction at 40 Pounds Overweight?

I know lipo is not a weight loss tool. I don't want lipo to lose weight; I want it to contour my neck and abdomen so that my body shape is nicer and clothes are more comfortable. My weight has been stable for over 15 years... I've lost 10-20 lb.s a few times, only to gain it back because it always jumps back to my "base" weight, but then it stays there. Basically, my body wants to stay right here at 180. (Female, 5'6", 42). I exercise, I am active and I enjoy basic activities such as hiking.

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by Anna of Chico in Chico, CA

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Liposuction and body weight.

You are fine at 180. You would not be fine at say 220. Bruce Halperin and I did a study and published it in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2001, reporting on 631 patients we did with large volume liposuction technique. See medical literature for details or you can call for a reprint of the article. Our guidelines today are that good candidates be 50 lbs or less over chart weight. Candidates must be healthy. Age is considered. ... more

Liposuction does good for active patients regardless of their weight.

If you are active and exercising, then liposuction can help with those stubborn areas to help you feel better and look better. The results can be very dramatic and is so safe now-a-days , especially if done under local anesthesia and you are back to work in 2 days. Sincerely, David Hansen,MD

David Hansen, MD

19 reviews

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Liposuction Candidate?

Thank you for the question. In regards to your weight, as long as you are at a stable weight where you plan to be long-term you may be a good candidate for liposuction procedure. I would suggest in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

Liposuction at 40 pounds overweight

Yes, liposuction is not a replacement for diet and exercise. You might get a wonderful result in the areas you mention, but it could be that you will put the weight back on. If a sizable volume of fat is removed, then your body will need less net calories to keep the weight off. So if you don't exercise a little more, or eat a little less than before liposuction, your net calories will be the same as before surgery, and as you said your weight has been stable, then those... more

Liposuction in the overweight patient

Liposuction should be done when a platient is at a weight they can reasonably maintain long term. Sometimes that weight is not the "ideal weight". If you are healthy and have realistic expectations (sounds like you do), you are probably a candidate for lipo. Neck lipo can work wonders for some heavy patients if the skin tone is good. Whether or not abdominal lipo will be helpful depends on the location of your excess fat. If the excess is in the... more

Am I a candidate for liposuction being 40 lbs over weight?

You BMI is 29 therefore you are not considered obese. I think as long as your weight is stable you can benefit from liposuction.

Absolute Weight is not important- Stability of Weight is.

Hello, Your absolute weight is not as important as your ability to maintain that weight. Lipo results change as you gain or lose more than a few pounds from the point after surgery. Being able to maintain weight is key. As long as your expectations are reasonable and you have fat in the areas to be treated with good skin tone, you should be OK. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

Liposuction- are you a good candidate if you are overweight?

Based on your question, it sounds like you have reasonable expectations and goals, and may very well benefit from liposuction. Often liposuction of the neck can offer a dramatic improvement in overall appearance. Also, liposuction of targeted areas when your weight is stable is very reasonable . Everybody has a different weight at which they live, and as long as you understand the goals and limitations of liposuction for your body in particular, you can have a very positive outcome... more

Liposuction on the Rubenesque.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we plastic surgeons know that better than anyone. We sometimes get rotund patients who want to use liposuction as a weight loss tool. You aren't like that. You know it isn't for generalized "shrinking" of your size, but for specific target figure flaws. As long as you have no medical issues and pass medical clearance with your internist, it's a go!

Ritu Chopra, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

drrituchopra.com

Could I Be a Candidate for Liposuction at 40 Pounds Overweight?

Better to lose at least 20 pounds. But if you can not liposuction will give you a slight improvement. In office 4 liters can be removed. In hospital Large Volume Liposuction can be done removing 10 to 12 liters, but long recovery time and increased risks.

Realistic expectation, the right goals, liposuction is right for you

If you have a clear understanding and expectation from liposuction, there is no reason that you cannot enjoy a good result at your current weight. If your weight has been stable and your lift is full and active liposuction of your neck and abdomen are a reasonable option. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Liposuction may be helpful at any weight

The general recommendations for body contouring surgery of any kind including liposuction and abdominoplasty is to get close to ideal weight prior to surgery. However, because liposuction is effective at spot treatments of specific areas, it may be beneficial for someone like you. Liposuction of the neck can be done at any weight with quite dramatic results. Liposuction of the abdomen may be less helpful dependent on the location of the fat. If it is inside the... more