Would I be a candidate for liposuction? Depression, lack of self esteem, inability to lose weight. Will a PS even work w me?

Without pictures or an exam, it is hard to give you accurate advice. In general, 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. I recommend that you seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and give you the best answer.

Thank you for your question. Liposuction surgery may be considered to treat areas of excess fat in the stomach, buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles,, back, arms and neck. Liposuction is equally effective in both men and women. Its difficult to tell if you are a good candidate without photos. I recommend scheduling a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck!Dhaval M Patel Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington Oakbrook Chicago 

Every once in a while I will see a patient with your collection of concerns seeking liposuction.  My advice to those patients is to allow us to work with your primary care physician, possibly a nutritionist and possibly a therapist to alleviate the other serious concerns you mentioned (depression, poor self-esteem and inability to lose weight).  They may be related to one another and should be dealt with head on before considering liposuction.  Our job is to be a physician first and treating those issues first will ultimately make you happy.

This is tough to answer without pictures and requires an in-person evaluation. You may be a candidate for liposuction. I recommend a hi-definition procedure which will give you the best results with contouring. I use VASER Hi Def with ThermiRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and body shaping. Depending on skin laxity, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck which can be performed at the same time. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a body contouring expert. Best, Dr. Emer

I would definitely not recommend surgery if you have ongoing depression.  The most important thing is to make sure that this is adequately treated by a psychiatrist.  Surgery will not make your depression any better.  Best of luck.

Surgery is not an answer for mental illness or depression.  It can make it worse, actually.  I would recommend seeing a counselor, life coach or therapist to help make you feel better.  Don't waste your money on elective cosmetic procedures.Good Luck!