BMI 33%; Good candidate for liposuction? (photo)

Question

6'2" Female, 20 years old. I have steadily been loosing weight for the past year. Weight gain was due to a major life changing event which has since then been dealt with. Currently seeing a therapist to tackle core issues but would like to see some noticeable results.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,I believe you are not quite ready for liposuction.  Your BMI is a little too high still. I recommend keeping up the great job you are already doing for at least another 6 months. Remember, low glycemic is the best diet, not low fat. Keep protein levels high, and avoid sweets. Best of luck!

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Best Candidate for Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure which removes fat from the body. It is one of the most popular procedures in the field of plastic surgery because of its simplicity and effectiveness. There are many different techniques and methods for liposuction, which can be performed on many areas of the body.
You are a candidate if you have excessive subcutaneous fat, which is resistant to diet and exercise. If you wish to change the contours of your body. Commonly involved areas are the anterior part of the neck (under the chin), upper arms and armpits, male chest/breasts, trunk abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, inner knees, calves, and ankles.
Most patients are near normal weight and desire permanent contour changes. Patients with average weight, localized fat collections, and healthy elastic skin are the best candidates for liposuction. Obesity, cellulite, or loose, sagging, and inelastic skin are several conditions which may tend towards less desirable results. In fact, these problems may be worsened by liposuction.
Frequently, patients seek liposuction to reduce their weight and general obesity. Unfortunately, liposuction is not indicated to treat these problems. Standard methods of weight reduction are required for these patients. Liposuction is intended to re-sculpt isolated collections of body fat that would not generally respond to diet and exercise it is a method of body contouring to reduce inches, not pounds. The good news is that the suctioned fat cells are permanently removed. If the patient gains weight later on, the new fat will be distributed in a more proportional manner.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Liposuction under tumescent local is easy to undergo and makes such a nice improvement in so many patients. It is such a great motivator and often just what you need to keep on exercising and dieting to continue your weight loss program when you've reached a stagnant point.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

I don't think you're quite ready for liposuction. It will not have a dramatic effect that is worth the cost. It's also not a good procedure for weight loss.I would continue weight loss and reach your goal weight. Once you're stable at your goal weight for six months, then have consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons. They will examine you and determine whether you would benefit for them liposuction or possibly another body contouring procedure such as a tummy tuck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Liposuction is a fine contouring cosmetic procedure and not used as a weight loss tool. When you have reached your ideal weight, liposuction can be performed for body contouring and sculpting. Please consult with an expert.  you likely will need liposuction and skin removal.  Best, Dr. Emer

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

You are the world's best lipsuctionist:  when you lose weight on your own, the cells shrink uniformly without contour irregularities, cost or risk!  No surgeon can guarantee those results.Since your weight gain was a temporary event, and you are actively losing weight, it is best to continue your journey until you reach a stable plateau, see what still bothers you, and then get some guidance from an experience board certified plastic surgeon.

Francesco Campanile, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your ongoing weight loss. It’s understandable that you’d like to see noticeable results, but I wouldn’t recommend liposuction for you at this stage. You’d experience the best liposuction results by waiting until you’ve reached your ideal weight before you have procedure done. If you get lipo and then continue to lose weight, you’ll likely need additional liposuction. It’s also important to note that liposuction isn’t a weight loss method—rather, it eliminates persistent pockets of fat that diet and exercise can’t remove, and it can bring out the final results of your weight loss journey once you’ve hit your target weight.

Regina M. Fearmonti, MD · Answer

On review of your pictures, it is unclear if you have excess lower abdominal skin. Liposuction will remove fat/thin out excess skin, but it will not remove it (only an abdominoplasty will do that).  "Laser" liposuction, or using heat, does cause only a mild degree of skin tightening.

Derby Sang Caputo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and the photo. I would recommend you lipo with a Tummy Tuck as well to get the best results. Best of luck

Edward J. Domanskis, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Liposuction will definitely help anyone that has excess fat. If you have some excess skin with it, in order to get the better result you would need that removed.

BMI 33%; Good candidate for liposuction? (photo)

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