I am a 21 year old, 5'4", 300 pound female. I was wondering if liposuction was possible for me? (Photo)

Question

If liposuction isn’t for me what do you recommend? I just want a kick start for my weight loss journey. I feel like my body is way too heavy for anything.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Ideal candidates for liposuction are at or near their ideal weight and will have good skin elasticity. The procedure is intended to remove stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to regular exercise, so the skin does need to be able to smooth back into place after the procedure is complete. It is also recommended that the procedure be performed on non-smokers, especially since smoking can damage the skin. Reaching a BMI of 30 or below would lower the risks of complications during and after lipo and your results would be enhanced. Recommend that you join an exercise and diet program to lose over 100 pounds to be in good health for the surgery. Consult in office or via SKYPE or email with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best path ahead for you to reach your objectives.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. To provide a valid medical opinion I will need to see pictures of you body from different angles. I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question & photos! Based on your photos, you would be a great candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction. Liposuction will remove excess fat with some retraction of skin. A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of the abdominal muscle. The abdominal wall can be weakened after pregnancy and (or) significant weight gain & loss. By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well. The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset, which will accentuate your curves. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dr Dhaval Patel

Double Board Certified

Plastic Surgeon

Chicago

Hoffman Estates

Oakbrook

Orland Park

Dr Dhaval Patel

Double Board Certified

Plastic Surgeon

Chicago

Hoffman Estates

Oakbrook

Orland Park

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Everyone needs a little motivation sometimes and liposuction is a great motivator to kick start that weight loss program and exercise that needs to go along with it.  No matter what size a  person is, lipo can usually help.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear SelfLove0786,
liposuction is not a weight loss surgery. Generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a surgery, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

you need as much weight loss as possible before considering liposuction or skin removal. I suggest bariatric surgery and/or hormonal/peptide therapy (see link).

my whole practice is doing lipoabdominoplasty, or at least liposuction with internal heating (which is not the gold standard for skin tightening with body contouring).

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Pedy Ganchi, MD · Answer

Hello,

Liposuction is not safe nor indicated for individuals as a means of weight loss.
Instead it is meant to contour the body for a better, more well proportioned shape.  
If performed without proper health measures, it can be dangerous with a high complication rate and will be futile in the long run with recurrent weigh gain.
It's best to first seek professional help with weight reduction. After you have achieved a healthy, stable weight, liposuction or tuck procedures can help treat the remaining irregularities or loose skin.

Warm regards,
Dr. Pedy Ganchi
Village Plastic Surgery

Edwin Kwon, MD, FACS · Answer

At this point in your journey, weight loss surgery such as bariatric surgery would be better suited for you.  Liposuction will not change your weight in any significant way but may be more appropriate in the future.

After you lose a significant amount of weight, you may still find certain areas of your body where the fat remains.  This is well suited for liposuction.  Additionally, you may be a candidate for abdominoplasty in future if you have excess skin after losing weight.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

At 5'4 and 300 lbs, your BMI is 51, which puts you at a high risk for any surgery. It is possible that liposuction can be done. However, I recommend you begin a low fat diet and core exercises such as sit-ups, planks and pilates. You will need to see a weight loss physician. Once you have reached your ideal weight, you can consider your surgical options. Surgery is the last choice not the first.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You can have liposuction of your abdomen and flank areas to help remove some excess fat. However, it may need to be done in stages and you do need to be realistic about what liposuction can achieve. I have done others similar to you who did very well. One young lady was then inspired to loose 100 pounds!

I am a 21 year old, 5'4", 300 pound female. I was wondering if liposuction was possible for me? (Photo)

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