Too skinny for lipo? (Photo)

Question

I am interested in getting lipo on my lower back/flanks to give me a smaller waist that is less high up on my torso. I am also interested in lipo on my upper arms and potentially saddlebags. These areas have never really been thin even when I was working out 10-20 hours a week. I am quite thin and was wondering if there would be too much risk for any of these areas. I weigh 130 lbs and am 5'8.5", but have always had a very hard time putting on muscle.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

While I appreciate your concerns, physical examination would be needed because it appears from your photos that you have little fat to remove.
 Possibly improved contour of your hips may be achieved with conservative micro liposuction by an experienced provider, but dramatic change is unlikely. My concern is over resection because you have so little fat, significant skin and contour irregularities can occur if the procedure is not expertly performed. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon with lots of experience to explore possibilities for your particular case. Good luck and please be cautious!

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. Yes, it is possible for you to get a liposuction. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question.

In this regard, I recommend you waist and back Liposculpture, getting better curves especially in the waist, improving your body contour.

Kind regards
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Liposuction provides a more consistent and predictable result than non-invasive treatments. Many varieties of liposuction are available including ultrasonic, smart lipo, and conventional lipo. However, the results depend less on the method used and more on the surgeon and the postoperative care.
Ideal candidates for liposuction are at or near their ideal weight and have good skin elasticity. Lipo is intended to remove stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to regular exercise, as the skin does need to be able to smooth back into place after the procedure is complete. If the waist was smaller at one time, the waist can likely be reduced through liposuction of the abdomen, arms, flanks, back, and love handles to those same measurements or smaller provided the muscular and fascial integrity has remained the same. The thinner patient requires an expert at liposuction to remove as much fat as possible while leaving the skin smooth. There is tremendous difference in skill level among plastic surgeons in fat removal and fat transfer skills. 
Consult via email or Skype with a board certified PS who is experienced in all types of lipo.

York Jay Yates, MD · Answer

There is probably not enough fat to make a remarkable change in shape.   The good news is that the skin looks great for liposcution.   So long as you are expecting a conservative change, you are likely a candidate.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. For a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), we inject the fat into the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face. Cellulite should also be treated with a combination of Cellfina, subcision, and/or fillers such as Bellafill, Renuva synthetic fat, or Sculptra. If skin is very loose before surgery, then it will need to be removed: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin.

Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

You would do very well with liposuction sculpting the areas. Under local you are able to stand up and turn in all positions to get the very best fine tuning of the areas.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Excellent question, thanks for photos to explain.  Lipo definitely a possibility to visually narrow and lower waist, but also consider transferring that fat or using Sculptra to slightly augment buttocks and small or moderate breast augmentation.  Enlarging adjacent areas creates the impression of a smaller waist.  It's all safe in qualified hands.  Recommendations online are provisional, physical exam in person may confirm your suspicion that liposuction of your diminutive fat layer may not offer sufficient visual impact to be worthwhile.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear georgiapeachy,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you don't have much extra fat. 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

Ralph M. Rosato, MD · Answer

The flank/back area is an area than is usually looks great after liposuction. You are an idea candidate for this procedure.

Too skinny for lipo? (Photo)

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