Can I lose around 5 inches on my waist through Liposuction?

I have a 42 waist and I need to be around 37 inches to get into the militay.  Most of my fat is on my love handles.  Can liposuction shrink my waist to that diameter?

Can I lose around 5 inches on my waist through Liposuction?
5 answers to “Can I lose around 5 inches on my...”

A: Possibly can lose 5 inches

Scott E. Kasden, MD

This depends on how much volume of fat is contained in the area to be liposuctioned.  You might be able to get an idea by using a tape measure, and pulling it in to the point that you suspect that muscle begins, and fat ends.  Liposuction is not a diet/exercise substitute however.  After... more

A: Liposuction alone will not remove 5 inches from waist

Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Surfhmr24, You look very fit in your photo and I doubt if you have 5 inches of fat beneath your skin in the love handles. Liposuction only removes the deep fat that is beneath your skin. At least an inch of fat has to be left behind after liposuction so that the skin looks smooth. Therefore you would have to... more

A: It depends on where the fat is exactly

George J. Beraka, MD

Many men have a lot of fat INSIDE their abdomen (around the intestines). This fat of course cannot be removed with liposuction.  I have seen dramatic reduction in waist size with liposuction (like 5 inches) but only when the fat is UNDER THE SKIN (subcutaneous). So you need to be examined by an... more

A: You will probably not lose 5 inches from Liposuction

Toby G. Mayer, MD

Liposuction can remove fat under the skin, not under the muscle inside the belly. The fat removal under the skin will make a difference but most of your fat may be inside the belly--only diet and exercise will change that.

A: Not possible to lose 5 inches from Liposuction

Francisco Canales, MD

Hello, I find that men have more intra-abdominal fat than women. That is, we men have more fat around our internal organs and that fat cannot be removed by liposuction. Fat in the lovehandles are usually very amenable to removal by liposuction, and this is where men tend to get great benefit. However, 5 inches... more

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