5'9", 177 lbs, BMI 26.4 - Am I a good candidate for Smart Lipo?

Question

I am 5"9.5" tall and 177 lbs.BMI IS 26.4.I am athletic. I cycle and love to workout.I try to eat right, but hey,I love to cook I have toned legs, and arms,I have no chest or rear. I am all pot belly with some small love handles.I have had this pot belly since I was a child.Both parents built the same way.I have a consult set for Smart Lipo, but I have friends telling me that I am not going to be a candidate because I am "too thin.I have just always hid my belly. Do you think I am wasting my time?

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

The ideal candidate for liposuction has a relatively small amount of excess fat and skin and skin that has excellent elasticity and will retract once the fat is removed. It seems as if from your description of your age and build that would be your scenario. Of course it is impossible to tell without an in person physical exam. Please make sure that you are visiting a board certified plastic surgeon when considering your options as this will ensure your safety and optimal results.

Jules Feledy, Jr., MD · Answer

Hello. From the query, you are athletic with an interest in cycling and working out, and you have a BMI of 26; it is clear that you are in a very healthy range. You also stated that you had the pot belly since you were a child. The presence of a 'pot belly' or lower abdominal fullness could be due to several factors - excess skin, weakness of the lower abdominal wall, or a little bit of excess fat. It is hard to answer this question without photos or consultation, but one easy way to see if this is due to fat would be to see if you could 'pinch' some fat between your fingers. It is helpful to place a finger in the belly button itself and feel where the abdominal wall is located. The base should be at the level of the abdominal wall. Then you could take your second hand and push down on the region just above the hairline at the pubis until you can feel the muscle wall below the skin. Then try to see how much fat you can squeeze together between your finger in the belly button and your hand just above the pubic region. If there is more than 2 cm, then maybe you have enough for liposuction. This gives you some idea of the amount of fat. From what you have written, it may be that there is very little fat, but going to see a board-certified plastic surgeon would be very helpful. All the best! Respectfully, Jules A Feledy, Jr, MD American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Good242609,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. 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

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

Post a photo of your pot belly and I'll give you an accurate assessment. I've seen many different bellies with a BMI of 26 with toned arms and legs and not all of them were good lipo candidates. Next step would be a consult, virtual or live, to see if lipo would be good for your goals.

Gregory Chambon, MD · Answer

When assessing the abdomen, there are several factors to consider. The abdomen is a combination of subcutaneous fat between the skin and muscle (pinchable), and visceral fat which is below the muscle layer (mixed with your organs). Liposuction can only be done to reduce the subcutaneous fat. There is also the issues of abdominal muscle integrity (how much is the muscle been stretched or even separated from pregnancies or significant weight gain). This is when someone needs a tummy tuck for optimal results. The term "pot belly" makes me suspicious about the amount of visceral fat that is contributing to your issue. This is why a consult including exam by a physician is critical to your assessment and best option.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

No one is going to make an assessment without quality pictures. Try reposting with pictures. If you don’t know how to take pictures for plastic surgery then look at how plastic surgeons take there before and after pictures.

This means using the timer on your camera or have someone else take the picture from about 8 feet away showing your full torso from your neck to your knees wearing undergarments showing your front side and back.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

Fat in the abdomen can be either internal/visceral or subcutaneous. If it is subcutaneous then Smartlipo should definitely be helpful. If most of your fat is internal, which means it is behind the muscle wall of your stomach and around your intestines, stomach etc, then no type of liposuction can reach this area. Visceral fat can only be reduced through healthy dieting (stay away from drugs) and exercising, though diet is far more important. 
If it is subcutaneous, then Smartlipo is my preferred technique.

sincerely

david berman md,

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Without photos, I will have to generalize. A full abdomen may result from a number of issues. Excess subcutaneous fatty tissue fat is addressed with liposuction. During pregnancy, the abdomen stretches to accommodate the growing fetus. The anterior rectus muscles may be stretched apart (diastasis recti) causing an abdominal bulge. Abdominal wall repair is accomplished with abdominoplasty.  Internal visceral fat is addressed with a regimen of diet and exercise. A physical examination is required to differentiate among these entities. 
Seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion. 
Best wishes...

5'9", 177 lbs, BMI 26.4 - Am I a good candidate for Smart Lipo?

Answers (8)

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