Liposuction: Q&A

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Can Someone Who is Overweight or Mildly Obese Get Liposculpture or Smart Lipo, for Body Shaping Purposes?

I'm a 24 year old African American woman whose BMI is 39.3. Though my BMI is high I live a fairly healthy lifestyle and I am losing weight slowly. All of my life my hips have been smaller than my waistline (no matter how much weight I lost). I was wondering if a procedure done on my waistline would make my hips appear wider, and if it would be safe at my current weight. I understand that these procedures are not quick weight loss substitutes, I prefer to lose weight the old fashioned way!

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waistline overweight candidate

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by PurpleKiss in Jamaica, NY

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Liposuction?

I always advise patients not to undergo liposuction until they have reached a weight at which they are comfortable. This, frankly, is different for everyone. The concerns would be that 1/if you lost weight afterwards, there woud be sagging of the skin, which would not be aesthetically pleasing, and 2/whether you are a candidate for liposuction based on the condition of your skin and its ability to tighten after surgery. To make a differene, you would need full liposuction, not one of the... more

Liposuction Candidate?

Thank you for the question. It is hard to give you good advice without direct examination or viewing pictures. I think you have a good understanding already that liposuction surgery is not meant as a weight loss “program” and is ideally done for patients who have isolated diet and exercise resistant adipose tissue in specific areas. The overlying skin of these areas ideally demonstrate good skin elasticity. I would respectfully suggest that you continue your... more

Can Someone Who is Overweight or Mildly Obese Get Liposculpture or Smart Lipo, for Body Shaping Purposes?

Although liposuction can contour your abdomen to some extent, if there is intra-abdominal fat, then the difference can be limited. Liposuction s for contouring but when the patient is very large, achieving normal appearing contours can be challenging.

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Liposuction not ideal for mildly obese

First of all Smart lipo is not recommended for people who are even slightly overweight as it can take multiple treatments to reach desired results making it a very costly alternative. Second, 'Liposculpture' is just a marketing term for liposuction. Thirdly, I find it best for patients to reduce their weight before any cosmetic surgical procedure as results are more likely to be esthetically pleasing. That being said, I believe liposuction can help achieve a smaller... more

Liposuction and goal weight

It is always best to get down to your goal weight before undergoing either excision procedures or potential liposuction. A BMI of 39 is pretty high. Keep doing the great job to lose weight on your own first. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction with a High BMI

Liposuction may give you a some better definition at your BMI but it really depends on how your fat is distributed. You should discuss this with a Board Certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and give a better opinion.

Liposuction if Overweight

Without pictures or seeing you in person, it is impossible to give you complete advice. Also, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, but a contouring procedure. With that said, liposuction done in the right candidates can have very nice results. I would suggest that you see consultation with local board certified plastic surgeons to discuss your options. Good Luck.

Liposuction with a 40 BMI

It can be done, but is not advised. Don't even toy with " laser lipo" = not an option. Regular lipo usually limits itself to 5L removal on an outpatient basis -- that is about 10- 12 lbs totally. This is no good for weight loss as you can gain that back really quickly unless you are on a weight loss diet. See a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss all of the ramifications of surgery.

Liposuction Not Treatment For Obesity

Liposuction should not be used in the treatment of obesity. With a BMI in excess of 39, it would be life threatening to remove enough fat with any sort of liposuction to make a visible difference. The best candidates for liposuction are those who are at, or close to, ideal body weight and have localized areas of fat.

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