Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction Surgery?

Liposuction, the surgical process of removing unwanted pounds from your thighs, back, or stomach, routinely ranks as one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of these procedures occur every year. It’s a tempting procedure, but the question remains: Are you a good candidate?

First and foremost, candidates should be committed to the surgery to achieve their own personal weight loss goals. This isn’t something that patients should undergo if they are trying to fit the ideal image of what somebody else thinks they should look like. This is a strictly personal procedure with personal benefits. Studies have shown that those who truly want to look and feel better report a higher rate of self confidence and would recommend liposuction surgery to others. Thus, if you want to undergo the procedure to achieve your own personal cosmetic goals, then you’ve satisfied the number one priority most doctors want in a candidate.

Next, ideal candidates should be physically fit and not more than 20 pounds overweight. This is important because in some instances when people are obese, liposuction could suck the fat out of your body but then your skin may not always grow back tight around the newly toned areas. This can leave flabby, hanging skin that could require additional surgeries. For this reason, the ideal candidate should also have firm, elastic skin, and candidates should not be obese. Many people lose their skin’s elasticity with age which could compromise results.

Furthermore, if you are planning to become pregnant, it is not a good idea to undergo surgery. It is better to wait until after pregnancy. You want your weight to be stable. Results can be permanent as long as your weight remains stable.

After liposuction surgery you should expect to wear tight garments, possibly up to two weeks or longer, to keep your skin compressed. Liposuction is performed by inserting a crannula into the target areas and essentially suctioning out the excess fat. The areas where these crannulas were inserted my leak or drain fluids for several days. It is important to follow the surgeon’s directions regarding post-operative care of these areas. You will also have to follow strict guidelines for taking antibiotics and decreasing your level of physical activity.

If you are still prepared to undergo liposuction surgery, you should prepare by stubbing out cigarettes. Smoking can disrupt the healing process. You may also be ordered to stop taking any medications such as aspirin. Aspirin can thin the blood and causing more bleeding and/or interfere with your body’s natural clotting mechanisms.

Finally, it’s important to find a doctor. LocateADoc.com offers a wide variety of doctors to choose from. The site can provide you with patient reviews, doctor certifications, and even help