Am I a good candidate for Lipo?

Hi Srivera2,

Thank you for reaching out with your question about whether liposuction is the right choice for you, and for providing your photos and background information. After examining your pictures and considering your history of having two children and current lifestyle, it seems that the best course of action for you would be a combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck.

Liposuction alone might not provide the desired results as it wouldn't address the excess skin you have. While I understand your hesitation regarding a tummy tuck, combining it with liposuction can significantly enhance the contour of your abdomen, providing a more comprehensive and satisfying outcome.

Furthermore, for even better results, adopting a healthier lifestyle and possibly losing around 20 pounds could be greatly beneficial. Not only would this help in achieving a more aesthetically pleasing result, but it would also contribute positively to your overall health. Remember, both liposuction and tummy tucks are not substitutes for weight loss; they are procedures that help contour your body after you’ve achieved a stable weight.

Regarding visceral fat, which is the fat surrounding your internal organs, diet and exercise are crucial. This type of fat cannot be effectively addressed with surgery and requires lifestyle changes. Additionally, there are weight loss medications like Semaglutide and Monjauro that might aid in your journey. I would recommend discussing these options with your primary care physician. If you face difficulties in getting these medications prescribed, feel free to contact us for further guidance.

In conclusion, while liposuction combined with a tummy tuck seems to be the most suitable option for you, the emphasis on a healthier lifestyle cannot be overstated. This holistic approach, which combines surgery with lifestyle modifications, is often the key to achieving and maintaining the best results.

Good luck on your journey, and if you have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon

Dear Srivera2,
based on your photos, it looks like you have extra fat and skin so liposuction will remove only extra fat but you will have some loose skin after that. 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

While certainly you will be able to find surgeons willing to do liposuction, in my opinion you won’t be fully happy with the results. Given that you have 2 children, you almost certainly have some element of rectus diastasis (separation of the ab muscles). A tummy tuck allows us to do liposuction to the back and waist to accentuate a narrow waist, repair the muscle separation, as well as remove extra skin to create the smoothest, flattest contour possible. We see so many patients at our practice that get sold liposuction when they really need a tummy tuck and then end up unhappy and seeking a revision. I want to save you the trouble and recommend that you get the best surgery the first time. Not sure what your reasons are for not being a fan of the tummy tuck as these vary from one person or another but a common one we see is that people are afraid of the scar. In my experience, no one regrets the scar once they get the result they’re looking for and feel a whole new level of confidence in their body!