Liposuction currently ranks as the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US. Prior to accepting a patient for liposuction procedure, the surgeon will determine their candidacy. Several aspects will be assessed to ensure that the patient is fit to receive liposuction.
During the initial consultation, the surgeon will try to understand why the patient wants to undergo liposuction and what specific areas of the body may be bothering them. Astute plastic surgeons at ACPS provide liposuction to patients in Houston, Texas, TX, and surrounding locations.
Ideal Candidates
A remarkable candidate for liposuction procedure would be someone who is in reasonably decent overall health, has a body weight within 25 pounds of their ideal weight, and is bothered by the appearance of unwanted fat deposits in specific areas of the body that have become resistant to exercise and diet. The ideal candidate will be above the age of 18, and having realistic expectations from liposuction plastic surgery.
Who should Avoid Liposuction?
The following people will usually not make suitable candidates for liposuction:
- Pregnant or nursing women
- An individual with an underlying health issue that could pose risk during surgery or interfere with healing
- Patients who are unable to quit smoking for a certain time period as instructed by the surgeon
- Patients who may not be able to discontinue or alter the schedule of certain prescription or non-prescription drugs
- Patients with an allergy to lidocaine anesthetic, which may be used as part of tumescent liposuction
Teen Candidates
In exceptional situations, the surgeon may perform liposuction on a teen patient. These will typically be candidates who have one or two lingering fat bulges left after a significant weight loss. The surgeon will evaluate the teen’s physical healthy, maturity level and self-esteem issues before recommending them for liposuction.
Teen patients may suffer from self-esteem issues due to excess fat pockets in areas such as the hips, thighs, calves or chin. If it is affecting their quality of life, mental health and overall well-being, the surgeon may use liposuction selectively to eliminate stubborn fat tissue and create a more sculpted look.
Adult Candidates
Upper age limit in liposuction procedure is not specifically defined. What matters is that the patient should be fit enough to safely undergo this surgery. If the patient is unsure about their health and fitness, they may choose to first consult their physician and then approach the cosmetic surgeon for a more detailed evaluation.
Candidates with a reasonably elastic skin will achieve more cosmetically attractive results because the skin will smooth adapt to the new, toned contours. Skin elasticity is typically reduced in older patients as compared to the younger ones. The ACPS surgeons receive patients for liposuction from Houston, Texas, TX, and other communities in the vicinity and even beyond.
Realistic Expectations
Patients should know that liposuction is only designed to remove localized concentrations of fat in specific areas. The surgeon will usually remove only about 10 pounds of fat or less from the targeted areas. Patients with realistic expectations will typically achieve higher satisfaction levels in the end.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery(ACPS)physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.