Good LIPOSUCTION Candidates

Liposuction is the most popular treatment among all of the surgical cosmetic procedures in the United States (according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). This is partly because about 65 percent of all American adults are overweight.

Liposuction removes fat deposits under the skin through a long, hollow needle called a cannula. The cannula is inserted through incisions, then scraped along the underside of the skin, dislodging the deposits while a strong vacuum removes them through the cannula.

The Best Candidates

Fat deposits accumulate under everyone's skin. The best candidates for liposuction may have bulging and flabby areas of the body from these fat deposits, especially the abdomen, arms, thighs, and neck. Even in people who eat a healthy diet and stay physically fit, these fat deposits can persist. They can result from genetic factors, body chemistry, and other causes.

The ideal candidates for liposuction are physically fit, exercise regularly, and are not more than 20 pounds overweight. People with very localized, exercise-resistant fatty deposits may obtain the best results. Be aware that the flabby appearance of the area being treated may not disappear completely. Crash diets before or immediately after this plastic surgery procedure are not recommended.

You are also an ideal candidate if you have made a good effort to eliminate the fatty deposits through extensive exercise and diet. You may have spent an inordinate amount of time on exercise programs or with excessive diets just to reduce or eliminate one final, persistent bulge. Some bulges are simply exercise-resistent, and liposuction may provide a solution.

When Liposuction May Not Be Appropriate

Liposuction is not designed for weight loss. People who are very overweight or who have large areas of fat deposits are not good candidates. It is best to lose weight first and reduce the fatty area through diet or exercise before considering liposuction. If you are obese and cannot lose weight on your own, then you and your doctor may want to consider a gastric bypass.

If you lose considerable weight and have excess skin after the weight loss, then an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be performed to remove excess tissue and tighten muscles; liposuction can be performed at the same time to remove excess fatty deposits. In some cases, people who have undergone bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass or gastric banding (Lap-Band or Realize Band) are left with a remaining apron of fat that may be better handled with a panniculectomy procedure than with liposuction.

Realistic Expectations

Remember that liposuction should be used in conjunction with a good diet and exercise, not as a substitute for them. Liposuction, like other cosmetic surgery techniques, is a means to enhance body shape. But it cannot completely change your shape. You should have realistic expectations — liposuction may improve the appearance of the treated area, but may have no impact on other areas of your life.

SOURCE: www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com