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Liposuction for Overweight Patient?

asked 2 years ago by aco1985 in Utah
Latest answer by Christopher K. Livingston, MD
Question viewed 1,243 times
Tags: age 18-24, stomach, 170-189 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, overweight, tightening, weight

I am 24 years old, 5'3" and weigh 170 lbs. About 1.5 months ago, I weighed about 198lbs. I did the hcg diet and that was how I got to 170lbs. 4 years ago, I weighed 150lbs and my body looked waaay better than it does now so I'm considering Liposuction on my stomach.

My question is, will I get good results and what about the overall look of my body? Will everything even out or will I have flabby arms and a tight tummy?

15 answers to Liposuction for Overweight Patient?

Liposuction for the overweight patient

Patients who yoyo with their weight and get repeated liposuction treatments end up with a beer belly (tight belly with fat inside the abdomen) and lumpy skin. It is better to get a handle on what is causing the weight fluctuations. Patients who lose 20-30 pounds of weight with a sustainable method (not a crash diet) will do more than I can ever do in surgery.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction

If you have loose and inelastic skin with excess fat, I would prefer a tummy tuck rather than liposuction.

Christopher K. Livingston, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Weight loss options

Liposuction works best on patients who are of relatively average weight, but who need help with a problem area, or with shedding the ten pounds they regain between diets. Liposuction modifies volume by sucking out fat, and liposuction candidates need good skin tone. Because liposuction stimulates the skin to tighten, good elasticity provides a smooth contour after fat is removed. Many times, liposuction of one area provides a good jump start for further dieting and exercise, allowing you to... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction is a contour procedure, not a weight loss procedure

Liposuction is a procedure that safely removes small deposits of fat from "bulgy" areas around the body. It is most appropriately done when you are close to ideal weight and there is an area such as the outside of your thighs or the lower belly that still pooch out. Large volume liposuction is both a more dangerous procedure to do, and probably not a great idea long term if you have difficulty obtaining or maintaining a good body weight. You will gain weight in different places... more

Elizabeth Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Body contouring after weight loss

It is difficult to tell you what would help you but if you have excess skin, you will need it "cut out" to get the maximal improvement. If you have just excess fat, then liposuction will help or maybe you need a combination. I am President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons (http://www.ASBPS.org), you may find answers there.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction for weight loss

At 5'3" and 170 lbs. your BMI is 32 which still qualifies as obese. While liposuction may be done on you, the results will not be great because liposuction is a contouring / finishing procedure aimed at reducing localized fat deposits not at correcting generalized obesity. Furthermore, for safety reasons, many states mandate a maximal removal of 5 liters of fat (5.3 quarts or 1.32 gallons) in an outpatient setting. This will not come close to removing the remaining excess of 20... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction is not for you! Loose more weight.

You will save money, avoid possible loose skin, feel better, be healthier, etc. if you loose more weight the regular way--exercise and watching the foods you eat. You've done very well so far; keep it up.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction not ideal for weight loss

Liposuction does not specifically tighten the skin over the areas treated. If the skin there is "loose," it can hang unattractively after liposuction surgery. I would advise if possible for you to get your weight down to a place at which you can maintain it and then consider what surgery may add. I know this can be difficult, but it is the best solution. Liposuction is not really a weight loss procedure. It is better suited for contour adjustment. Best Regards.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction and weight issues

Liposuction is not for weight loss and is inappropriate in the overweight patient. Somehow you need to get back down to that 150 number where you were happier and then see what youv'e got. More than likely your skin is already too loose for lipo and you will eventually need a tummy tuck.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction following weight gain and loss.

You have reached a weight (198lbs) that is nearly 80 pounds above your ideal body weight. It is most likely that you skin may be stretched beyond it's elastic memory and liposuction could leave you with a loose skin apron.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction for an overweight patient

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on losing weight! You are still pretty young and may be a candidate for liposuction, due to the elasticity of your skin. Our bodies do have certain places where more fat deposits and be stubborn to lose. If you have fat that is less localized than just your abdomen, you may want to continue your weight loss program. On the other hand, I do find that having a few sites of liposuction often motivates people to lose more weight. Part of this is because we look at... more

Kimberly A. Henry, MD
Greenbrae Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction in overweight patient

It is impossible to answer the specifics of your questions. You could get an excellent result or a not-so-good result. Some patients have good skin contraction even though they have loose skin prior to liposuctioning but most do not get good skin contraction. You should look at some pictures of results where there is no skin contraction and see if that look is acceptable to you.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Don't rely on liposuction for weight loss

While seeing your pictures would always be helpful, I agree with my colleagues statements In that liposuction should not be viewed as a weight loss procedure. Its effectiveness comes from removing unwanted or localized fat pockets. While there is a psychological 'boost' component that encourages patients to live a more healthy and active lifestyle after seeing the initial results from liposuction, if you are relying on the procedure for weight loss, you'll be disappointed. Your best results... more

Jeffrey D. Hoefflin, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction for overweight patient

Liposuction should not be looked at as a weight loss procedure. If you post pictures, we may be able to give you more specific advice. Liposuction is great for body contouring or removing stubborn areas of fat. If you have a large belly, then tummy tuck may be an option for you too. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Save your money and lose weight the old fashioned way

It has been emphasized on this forum numerous times, but the statement bears repeating: liposuction is not a safe or effective means for weight loss. If you liked the way you looked 20 lbs ago, why not hire a personal trainer for a few hundred dollars and get to work on shedding the pounds? Liposuction results are optimized in patients that are close to their ideal body weight, and have a few focal, stubborn regions that need contouring. Good quality elastic skin is also crucially important... more