Current BMI of 23 - would liposuction to the belly, back and upper arms deliver noticeable results? (photo)

Question

I am a 36 year old female. Diagnosed since my early 20s with PCOS. I am 5’3” currently 133lbs, lowest weight before COVID 120. I am bumping up exercise to 4-5 days a week cause I want to go back to triathlons. Will lipo360 help flatten my belly and back? And liposuction for my upper arms as well? We’re looking at $7k and I want to know if anyone has seen NO difference for someone whose BMI is around 23.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry and the provided details and picture. My immediate response would be, “Yes, liposuction, particularly VASER liposuction, could yield noticeable results in the belly, back, and upper arms even with a BMI of 23.” The VASER technique could especially be beneficial if you are aiming for a highly defined and sculpted appearance, like an abdominal six-pack and well-defined arms.
However, while substantial improvements can be expected in the belly and arms, enhancements in the back area may not be as pronounced. Therefore, having a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon about your desired level of definition and sculpting is crucial to manage expectations and choose the most suitable approach.
I hope this clarifies your concerns and assists you in making an informed decision. Wishing you all the best on your journey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

Most people think that liposuction is intended for people with lots of excess fat. This isn’t necessarily true. Yes, Lipo will remove fat, but it is a BODY SHAPING procedure, not a weight loss procedure. This means that the best candidates are people who are in good shape and have a healthy lifestyle, BUT still have some “trouble” areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. So, yes, you can probably benefit from liposuction if you want to shape your abdomen and back. There isn’t going to be a lot of fat removed, but that’s ok because targeted removal of a small amount of fat from the right places can make a big difference. But only you can decide if it will be worth it. Make sure to see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in liposuction, since your case will take a high level of expertise.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Yes, liposuction should produce a significant difference.  Liposuction costs $4,000 for 1 hour and $7,000 for 2 hours and is done on an out-patient basis.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

It is hard to answer your question without seeing more detailed photos of the problem areas. The best evaluation of your situation would be a virtual live video consultation at minimum. An in-person consultation would be the gold standard. We do our best to only operate on patients who will have noticeable differences. The amount of difference is variable and may be subtle to dramatic. We try to give an accurate estimate of the results during the consultation. It all depends on how much excess fat is contributing to the unwanted fullness. In the case of PCOS, there can be some challenges. Some of the excess fullness is due to swellling / water retention and that is not treated with liposuction.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction can help remove excess fat in specific areas, but it is not weight-loss surgery nor will remove 10 or more pounds.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question! Sometimes, "finesse liposuction" cases have the best results because it truly is body contouring. Please be sure to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon in your area. Good luck!

Sergio Sanchez-Bailon, MD · Answer

In my practice doing a body contouring surgery as liposuction I treat the whole body doing so, all liposuction includes the arms, armpits, back, flanks, waist, abdomen and inner thighs. All this is done in order to achieve the best result doing so in one surgery by doing so also with the best technology available that is ultrasound and power assisted liposuction, ass well as skin tightening technology. You can achieve a great result by flattening your abdomen and back, as well as lowering and defining the arms. Schedule your free virtual consultation and talk about your case.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

The 1 posted photo does demonstrate some areas of fat. So you are classified as "Skinny Lipo" Though the fee is in line but I might also use J-Plasma at that fee quote with the lipo to tighten skin. Regards Best to virtual consult with....

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Liposuction can improve areas with stubborn subcutaneous fat.  This is the fat you can pinch.  If you are intending to lose weight through diet and exercise it is best to meet that goal before surgery.  This will allow your surgeon to optimize your results.  I've included a video about liposuction that I hope you find helpful.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There are two variables that determine what most cosmetic surgical outcomes are going to look like. The first is the patient’s candidacy for the procedure, and the second is the skill and experience of the provider. Both of these variables are probably equally as important. There isn’t all that much people can do regarding their candidacy though continuous fat thickness can be influenced by weight gain and weight loss, respectively. Understanding your candidacy for anyone particular cosmetic surgical procedure, including Liposuction is the best done by having multiple in person, consultations with plastic surgeons who have sufficient experience and skills with the procedure.
Delivering consistent quality, liposuction results is more difficult than most people realize. The number of plastic surgeons who truly mastered this procedure is in a small minority. I see more variation in skill for this operation than any other plastic surgery procedure I’ve ever seen. Poorly done Liposuction I can leave people permanently disfigured. getting top-notch results should not be taken for granted unless you’re certain your provider has the skill and experience necessary to do that kind of work. 
When it comes to finding providers for Liposuction, I cannot emphasize the importance of thoroughly vetting plastic surgeons, and having multiple in person consultations.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patient who had similar body characteristics to your own. By doing this, you will have a first-hand experience about your results are likely to look like. Experienced plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients. A highly experienced plastic surgeon should have hundreds or even thousands of before and after pictures to choose from. Being shown a handful of pre-selected images, representing the best results of a providers career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results look like in the hands of each provider, with someone with your candidacy’s results will look like or how many of these procedures any one surgeon has actually performed.
Personally, I view the torso as a single anatomic unit, and generally encourage patient to treat their entire torso when doing Liposuction. A full torso. It generally includes upper abdomen, lower, abdomen, love handles, waist, full back, and under arms all the way to the side of the breast. By treating the entire torso, patients are left with a natural, even thin fat distribution that’s consistent without transition zones between treated and untreated areas. 
Considering how much variation there is among plastic surgeons when it comes to Liposuction I highly recommend patients scheduled multiple consultations. There’s no correct number of consultations needed to find the right provider. I suggest patients consider having at least five consultations before considering scheduling a permanent and irreversible body contouring procedures.
Take careful notes, especially regarding the quantity and quality of before and after pictures. You may want to bring pictures of your own torso and arms to the consultation for reference to make sure you’re being shown previous patient who had similar body characteristics to your own.
If your provider hasn’t shown you a large selection of before, and after pictures of patients, who had the same body characteristics, including similar thickness of subcutaneous fat then maybe you haven’t found the right provider.
Arm liposuction can give spectacular results, but it’s technically difficult, and this procedure has higher incidence of contour, irregularities, then treating the abdomen when done by providers who lacks sufficient skill and experience. 
In regards to your abdomen, there are four variables that determine what the abdomen looks like. Understanding your candidacy for liposuction should be based on having a clear understanding of these four variables, and how much subcutaneous fat excess is contributing. The four variables that determine what the abdomen looks like our abdominal skin laxity typically due to previous pregnancies or significant weight loss, excess subcutaneous fat, muscle separation from previous pregnancy and excess visceral or subcutaneous fat.
The best candidates for Liposuction are individuals who are generally young without previous pregnancies, or pregnancy related changes, who have excess or undesirable amounts of subcutaneous fat, with no other variables, getting in the way from having a perfect abdomen.
Excellent Liposuction results can be obtained on people with thick and thin layers of subcutaneous fat. Individuals who don’t have thick layers of subcutaneous fat aren’t going to have major changes in overall body shape, but the procedure can give definition and a more slim, lean, athletic appearance. The amount of subcutaneous fat is only one of many variables to take in the consideration when determining somebody’s candidacy for Liposuction.
There should be no guessing game when it comes to liposuction results. Providers who have sufficient skill and experience should be able to show you exactly what your results will look like by showing you and almost endless supply of before, and after pictures of patients who look just like you do.
If this seems foreign or didn’t happen during your consultation, then you’re probably not done selecting providers yet
Patient should have a clear understanding of their own candidacy and exactly what results should look like at the end of a thorough consultation
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of provider selection and understanding your candidacy for the procedure.
Mastering Liposuction takes a lifetime of total commitment, always being critical of your own results and performing thousands of surgeries.
Once Liposuction has been performed, it’s very difficult to improve on the outcome and poorly done Liposuction typically leads people disfigured permanently.
The time to be critical of plastic surgeons, is there in the vetting process before you schedule surgery.
The cost of cosmetic surgery varies based on the number of variables. In our practice, the price you were quoted would be low.
Personally, I perform liposuction without the use of general anesthesia, and find is preferable for a multitude of reasons.
Relying on local anesthesia with mild sedation, allows me to have patients move in whole different positions during the procedure, which is ideal for body contouring.
My practice has been focused exclusively on Liposuction and fed transfer for the last 12 years. I spent the first half of my career doing general surgery and I’m slowly evolved my practice focusing exclusively on these two operations only.
When, in doubt, slow down and schedule more consultations.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Current BMI of 23 - would liposuction to the belly, back and upper arms deliver noticeable results? (photo)

Answers (10)

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