Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Liposuction is a popular, effective plastic surgery procedure that can help you get the sleek physique you want. Although liposuction is safe, it is not the right surgery for everyone. Is liposuction a good fit for you? Here are some factors that plastic surgeons consider as they are evaluating potential liposuction patients.
Healthy Body Weight: Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure. It removes stubborn pockets of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise to create a slimmer silhouette. However, it isn’t a treatment for obesity. Plastic surgeons prefer that patients be within 30 percent of their ideal body weight when they have liposuction. If your weight isn’t stable, then you won’t get the best results from the procedure.
Non-Smoker: Smoking can interfere with your ability to heal after the procedure. Because of the damage smoking causes to the heart and lungs, being a smoker also makes anesthesia more dangerous. If you are a smoker, your plastic surgeon may require that you quit before having liposuction, or that, at a minimum, you refrain from smoking for a certain period before and after the procedure. If you need help quitting, ask for your plastic surgeon to recommend resources or check with your primary care physician.
Realistic Expectations: Plastic surgery can drastically transform you physically and emotionally, but it’s crucial that you have realistic expectations about what the surgery can achieve. Discuss your specific treatment goals for your liposuction procedure with your plastic surgeon to make sure you understand the likely outcomes. For instance, liposuction won’t address loose skin, so if that is also a concern, ask your surgeon to recommend other procedures that could be a better fit.
The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for liposuction is to schedule a consultation at Plastic Surgery Specialists. Our board-certified plastic surgeons will help you find the right procedures to get the look you want. Make an appointment at our Annapolis office by calling 410-841-5355.