Who Is a Candidate for Liposuction?

The first step toward determining your candidacy for liposuction is choosing a competent surgeon for your initial consultation.

During this appointment or series of appointments, the plastic surgeon should take a thorough medical history, which includes a list of the medications you are taking, your weight, whether your weight has significantly fluctuated and whether you plan to lose weight before the liposuction. He or she will also talk with you about your expectations to make sure they are realistic.

In general, the ideal candidates for liposuction are men and women who are of relatively normal weight, but have isolated pockets of fat that do not respond to an adequate diet and exercise program. Think love handles or muffin tops.

You should have firm and elastic skin tone and have excessive fatty deposits in certain body areas. Keep in mind that liposuction removes fat, not loose skin.

Age is not a deciding factor, but many older patients have less elastic skin, so they may not get optimal results.

For more details, please read the related article, “Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction?”

Preparing for Liposuction

Your surgeon will give you a list of instructions on what to do and what not to do in the days before you undergo liposuction. This may include guidelines on eating and drinking. He or she will also discuss the importance of quitting smoking at least 30 days before liposuction. Smoking greatly increases the risks of any surgery, and liposuction is no exception.

Certain medications, such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may promote bleeding and should be discontinued before surgery. Your surgeon will advise you on which medications you should stop taking before liposuction. Never stop taking prescribed medications without first talking with your surgeon and with the doctor who prescribed them.