Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Have you exercised and eaten a good diet, but no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to lose those last few pounds? If you’re nearing your goal weight, but fat isn’t budging in certain areas, liposuction could get you to the final shape you want.

Renowned plastic surgeon Frederick H. Watkins, MD, offers both power-assisted and ultrasound-assisted liposuction to remove fat cells from your body for good. Liposuction is so effective that it’s held its position as a top five cosmetic procedure for years, and nearly 260,000 people opt for liposuction every year.

Is liposuction right for you?

Here are some general guidelines to determine whether you're a good candidate:

You’re within 30 pounds of your goal weight

Liposuction is not meant to replace weight loss or a healthy lifestyle of eating well and getting plenty of exercise. It’s meant to help people overcome obstacles that can make it particularly challenging to lose the last several pounds. In short, it’s a great way to get smoother contours and rid your body of fat that’s resistant to diet and exercise.

Your skin is still elastic

Liposuction eliminates the fat under your skin, but it doesn’t do anything to your skin itself. If your skin isn’t healthy and elastic, it won’t conform to your new shape, and it may sag and droop after your liposuction treatment.

You’re in good overall health

Liposuction is surgery. Although it’s an outpatient procedure, you may be given general anesthesia. Even if you only need a local anesthesia, your body still undergoes a bit of trauma as with any surgery. So if you have other medical conditions, your liposuction may need to wait until the other conditions are resolved.

You’re not a smoker

You already know that smoking is bad for your health, but it’s particularly bad if you’re about to have surgery of any kind. Smoking can affect the way your lungs and heart work, and that can complicate things during surgery, especially if you’re under general anesthesia. 

Smoking can also slow your blood flow, which means that you may not heal as well or as quickly as nonsmokers. If you do smoke, you’ll need to quit a minimum of two weeks prior to your liposuction. 

Taking the next step

Dr. Watkins is known for his refreshingly personal and caring approach. Our patients trust his years of experience and expertise and love the way he truly listens to what they envision and hope for. If liposuction is not right for you, he’ll let you know what your other options are so you can achieve your goals safely and effectively.

To find out if you’re a good candidate for liposuction, book an appointment online or over the phone with the practice of Frederick H. Watkins, MD, today.