Liposuction Requirements: Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

As with many different lipo procedures, certain factors determine whether someone is a good candidate for liposuction or not.

Liposuction requirements vary on a whole host of factors, including your current weight, excess skin, and your overall health. During your consultation, your board-certified plastic surgeon will go over these factors with you to determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction.

Here are the top factors your surgeon or liposuction doctor will look at, what they will consider a risk factor, and what makes you a right fit for the procedure.

Who can get liposuction?

Liposuction is designed to sculpt bodies already within 30% of their ideal weight. While liposuction removes fat, it’s not suitable for removing significant amounts of fat. 

Each surgeon has different specific criteria for patients to fulfill. The guidelines we share are general rules that most surgeons will follow, not all. 

So if you’re in the middle of your weight loss journey, you may want to wait until your weight is within reach of your ideal physique.

Your surgeon will also check the skin in the area you would like to have treated. Candidates for liposuction need good skin elasticity and muscle tone. At Premier Liposuction, we use a skin tightening procedure technology called Renuvion that allows us to retract skin up to 60%.

What are the limitations of liposuction?

Liposuction is a popular treatment that can rid people of insecurities and create a more toned and defined body contour. However, like most things, it has its limitations. 

Moreover, the procedure isn’t for everyone, especially those who want to lose a significant amount of weight. 

Even if you qualify for liposuction, the results may not last forever. Treated areas are not immune from changing shape. If you gain weight, you might find the results of your procedure become less visible. 

While liposuction permanently removes fat cells from your body, it can’t stop the remaining cells from gaining volume if your lifestyle changes. 

What can I do to improve my chances of being approved for liposuction?

One of the most significant deciding factors in whether you qualify for liposuction is your weight history. 

Your surgeon will likely ask you how your weight has fluctuated over the years and how long you have been at your current weight. Your surgeon may also ask you about your current diet and exercise routine to understand your overall health and wellbeing.

If you’re still on your weight loss journey, working toward reaching your goal is essential for optimal results. If you struggle to lose weight on your own, or if your weight has been stuck on the same number for a while, then working with a dietician or nutritionist might help give you the boost you need to reach your target. 

Are there alternatives if I can’t have general anesthesia?

Many people can’t have a general anesthetic or don’t want to take any extra risks to get surgery. The good news is there are types of liposuction that allow you to have the procedure with local anesthesia. 

Tumescent liposuction is an alternative to traditional lipo that only uses local anesthetic injections to numb the treated areas.

VASER liposuction, on the other hand, patients can avoid the risks associated with general anesthesia. Patients receive an oral medication beforehand to help you relax and local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. 

Vaser lipo has a range of benefits, including shorter recovery times, lower risk of complications, and often a more affordable price tag. 

Conversely, VASER has limits, too. The range of areas that lipo can treat simultaneously is more restricted with local sedation. You may find that you experience more discomfort immediately after the procedure than you would otherwise.  

If I’m a suitable candidate, which areas can liposuction treat?

Common areas that patients ask to define include the stomach, hips, arms, and waist. Your chest, back, buttocks and thighs can all be treated, too, if considered suitable by your surgeon. 

Your chin and neck can all be treated too, although these usually use slightly different technology to achieve results. You may find your surgeon recommends using ultrasound-assisted liposuction on these areas of your body where fat tends to be more stubborn.

Your doctor will look at the areas you would like to have treated and assess whether they would be suitable for the procedure. They will explain the kinds of results you may expect from the procedure and will go over how long it will take after the process to see the final results.

Are you a good candidate for liposuction?

Ultimately, liposuction is a good option for many people but not for everyone. The main factor that determines suitability is a patient’s weight and their overall health. 

Furthermore, you will have to factor in where in your weight journey you reside. The elasticity of your skin and the tone of your muscles will also determine whether lipo is the correct procedure for you. 

If it isn’t the right procedure for you, your surgeon may suggest a tummy tuck, body lift, or another type of excess skin removal surgery. 

Learn more about what to expect from liposuction. Or, schedule a consultation with one of our Premier Liposuction doctors today.