Age 59. Am I too old to have liposuction? (photo)

Question

Hello, I am a 59 y/o women. Years ago I had coolsculpting on my inner thighs, banana rolls and abdomen. I feel as though the lipo on my inner thighs resulted in Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia but I can't say for sure. As my photos will attest, coolsculpting had no effect...IMO it made the area worse. I understand that removing fat will result in sagging skin, especially at my age. Is there anything that I can do to improve this? Would lipo with skin tightening be an option?

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

CoolSculpting-type cryolipolysis can cause excessive hardening of fat tissue and increased vascularization in the treated area. Although the fat may seem easily accessible from the outside, performing liposuction in these areas can be challenging. The extraction of fat becomes more difficult, and the risk of bleeding is higher. Even with Vaserlipo technology, removing the fat can be complicated. As a result, the expected outcome from liposuction may not be as satisfactory as anticipated. It is important to consider this when choosing your treatment.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

In the photos, there is localized fullness around the lower abdomen/hips and thigh area with some skin-quality concerns, so an in-person pinch test is important. At 59, you are not automatically too old for liposuction. Overall health, medical clearance, stable weight, smoking status, skin elasticity, and realistic expectations matter much more than age alone.

If there is true paradoxical adipose hyperplasia after CoolSculpting, liposuction is often one of the main ways to debulk the enlarged fat, but the diagnosis has to be made by examination. Energy-based skin tightening can sometimes help mild laxity, but it is not the same as removing loose skin. If the skin is significantly loose or crepey, liposuction alone, even with tightening, may improve shape but can also leave more visible looseness.

For the abdomen, inner thighs, and banana roll areas, ask a board-certified plastic surgeon to examine each area separately and explain whether you are a better candidate for liposuction with limited skin tightening, staged treatment, or an excisional procedure such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift if laxity is the main issue. The safest plan is usually based on what is fat versus skin, not on age by itself.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Body contouring procedures have become increasingly popular and can help men and women recontour their body in adulthood. If you have stubborn areas of fatty accumulation that are more resistant to diet and exercise, you may be a candidate for body sculpting liposuction performed at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica. Liposuction remains one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery and allows patients to slim and toned their waist line, back, arms, and legs using this minimally invasive and highly coveted procedure.

Among the most common areas to have liposuction performed is the waist line and stomach area. This makes liposuction an excellent alternative to a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck. If you have had fluctuations in weight, you may benefit by recontouring the waistline and abdomen using liposuction. Patient with excessive skin in the lower abdomen from childbirth or from excessive weight loss may not respond well to liposuction because the extra skin will continue to hang. In these patients, and abdominal plasty procedure is preferred.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear peakdog,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Your age is not a contraindication for surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you 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

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry! We would love to sit down with you in person and discuss your concerns and your options. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to assist you in reaching your goals!

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your inquire, 
as long as you're in good health! Many people in their 50s and 60s undergo the procedure successfully. However, there are a few important factors to consider

If your skin is loose, liposuction alone may not give the smoothest results. Some people combine it with a skin-tightening procedure like a tummy tuck. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle will help you keep the results long-term. If you're in good health and have realistic expectations, liposuction can still be a great option

Sincerely, 
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Your age is not a contra-indication to liposuction.  Liposuction removes only the fat but the skin may hang afterwards.  You may benefit from surgical excision as well as liposuction.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Liposuction would do great for you and the idea of getting skin tightening at the same time is the only option for almost everyone.  It is easy and does work well but bodytite, morpheus and quantum are the best safe skin tightening methods around.

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. It’s hard to assess skin laxity through photos but liposuction with skin tightening should address any of your concerns.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

While liposuction can decrease the volume of the excess fat underneath your skin, it will not change the quality of your skin. With each passing decade, the quality of everyone’s skin gets less elastic with less snap-back.  Therefore, you have to temper the expectations of people who are in their 40s and 50s about what results they can achieve from liposuction. Being too aggressive with liposuction can leave  contour irregularities that are very difficult to fix.  The skin tightening modalities, which are presently on the market give underwhelming results, so can’t be expected to give tight skin.  Your overall shape and contour appears to be very good and if you are accepting of some slightly loose skin, a volume reduction could be accomplished with liposuction. Best wishes.

Age 59. Am I too old to have liposuction? (photo)

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