Can a 14 year old get liposuction?

Question

She is 5"4 an 240lbs. She is desperate to be thin, her insecurity has reached extreme levels and no matter what she does no weight will shed.

James D. Frost, MD · Answer

There is a lot of pain for a 14 year old who weighs 240 pounds.  Liposuction is not the answer.  It is easy for us to say that she needs to lose weight but I understand the difficulty in accomplishing that goal.  I have patients tell me frequently that they can't lose weight.  Then we start counting their calories and find that they are eating much more than they realize and way more than they admit to anyone else.  There are solutions available but no quick fixes.  I recommend evaluation at a dedicated weight loss center.  Not a place that promises miracles for a price.  She needs a place that will evaluate her medically and then devise a plan for her that will work long term.  For some teens, the answer may be bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass.  Flowers Hospital in Dothan has a bariatric center.  Surgery may not be the answer for her but they should be able to direct you to the appropriate place for an evaluation.  Their number is 334-944-7095.Good luck to you and her.  I hope you can find an answer that will help her now and into the future.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. There's no age limit or ideal age for Liposuction. However, patients must be over 18 years of age.

Mitchel Goldman, MD · Answer

First, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, and will not help your daughter actually lose weight. Liposuction is best for adults who have small areas of fat they can’t seem to lose. It does not cause a significant amount of weight to be lost, it contours the body for a better shape. Second, I would generally not recommend liposuction to a young teenager even if they were a good candidate, because teenage bodies go through a lot of changes and the best course of action is simply to start and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Learning good diet and exercise habits at a young age is important, and will last her a lifetime. It may take her a while to lose all the weight she wants, but if she keeps up good habits she should definitely be able to get to the weight and body she wants eventually. Try a nutritionist and/or personal trainer if she can’t seem to lose weight on her own, and a therapist might be a good idea for her insecurity issues.

Mark E. Freeman, MD · Answer

Being significantly overweight as a 14-year-old
is challenging both emotionally and physically. Unfortunately, there are no
easy answers, as I'm sure you've learned. Liposuction is not a weight-loss
procedure. It's designed to remove small areas of stubborn fat for patients who
are already at or near their target weights. If you haven't already done so,
make an appointment with the girl's pediatrician to discuss a comprehensive
weight-loss plan. I wish you the best of luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Liposuction is NOT a weight loss tool and if someone is overweight they should see a weight loss expert/nutritionist/trainer to get started on the right path to improvement.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and I empathize with your situation.  Unfortunately liposuction will not help address your daughter's weight issue and can not make her thin.  At fourteen she is still young enough that changes to her daily exercise and eating habits can make a substantial improvement in her overall appearance, and I would recommend seeking assistance through counselors, personal trainers, and nutritionalists to help her through this difficult period.  If she is able to learn and adhere to these recommendations, a healthy lifestyle change is something that will benefit her for the rest of her life.  Best wishes.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Very few plastic surgeons would offer liposuction in teenagers as an adjunct to weight loss. Changes in lifestyle surpass any body contouring in importance in teenagers that are overweight.

Israel Manon, MD · Answer

Hi, I don't recommend to go on surgery by this age, she is still too young. I suggest to wait until she is an adult. Remember that her safety always is going to be first. 
  
Regards
  
Dr. Israel Mañon
  
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Richard Chaffoo, MD, FACS, FICS · Answer

This is certainly a sensitive topic, and my heart goes
out to you and your daughter. Adolescence is a trying time for most people and
especially for kids who are overweight. However, liposuction is not the right
choice for several reasons. First, 14 is far too young to undergo such a
procedure, in part because her body is not yet fully mature. Second, most
physicians agree that liposuction is not ideal for patients who are
significantly overweight because it's not intended to be a weight-loss
procedure. Rather, it's best for spot-treating smaller areas of stubborn fat
for people who are already at a healthy, stable weight. I highly recommend pursuing
this issue with your daughter's primary care doctor. He or she can rule out
thyroid or hormonal issues and develop a plan to help her lose weight. This may
involve visits with other medical specialists such as a nutritionist or
counselor and lifestyle changes to her diet and exercise habits. Your support
will play an important role. Best of luck to you and your daughter!

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I generally view liposuction as a means to
 contour the body.  If you are very stable in your weight and specific 
areas of concern, then liposuction can help you work towards your goal. 
 A consultation/exam would be needed to provide more specifics.  On the 
other hand, if you are looking for liposuction to provide you with 
weight loss, then this is the wrong reason.  Although you may drop a few
 pounds with liposuction, you can do this much more effectively through a
 medically managed weight program. I recommend to visit a weight loss doctor and start a program to be healthy.The quick answer is that 14 years of age is too early for aesthetic 
liposuction.  Although there is nothing physically limiting doing 
liposuction at 14 year old the psychological and social aspects make it a
 less than idea decision.  Certain plastic surgery procedures are indeed
 sometimes performed at an early age but these are procedures done more 
for reconstruction.  I would continue the conversation and perhaps shoot
 for the 18 year mark to possible undergo any aesthetic procedure.Good luck :)

Can a 14 year old get liposuction?

Answers (13)

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