Who Is A Good Candidate For Liposuction?

Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

Liposuction is a useful option to help you reach your overall aesthetic appearance goals. Whether you elect it in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures like abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, or undergo liposuction by itself, you should definitely discuss the option with Dr. Angelchik during your consultation. He will help you understand who is a good candidate for liposuction and see if you are.

Physical and psychological considerations

During your medical evaluation, Dr. Angelchik will collect a detailed medical history and try to get a better understanding of your emotional reasons for electing treatment. In some cases, a physical or a psychological reason may preclude you from being a good candidate.

  • Non-smoker – Smoking is bad for your skin, making it inelastic. It also hinders healing following any type of procedure. The vascular damage caused by liposuction is worsened when your capillaries cannot heal.
  • Good overall health – Liposuction is a real surgery that requires you to be able to heal effectively. Being in good overall health is a key requirement. Certain medications may preclude you from being a considered a good candidate.
  • Achieved weight loss goals – Liposuction is not a weight loss solution, you should already have achieved significant weight loss prior to surgery.
  • Realistic expectations – A clear understanding of what liposuction can and cannot do is important. The largest complaint with the procedure is due to unrealistic patient expectations.

Cosmetic surgery may help improve your looks, but it cannot impart self-esteem. A health dose of self-esteem must already be present. Only a small amount of fat can safely be removed during a session, so understanding that will help you appreciate the improvements.

Procedure

The most common liposuction procedure performed is called tumescent liposuction. These are the basic steps of this procedure.

  • A saline solution of 2 to 3 times the volume of fat to be removed is injected into the treatment area to anesthetize the area and break up the fat cells.
  • A small vacuum tube called a cannula is inserted through small incisions and used to remove the fat cells and the solution.
  • Post-op care leaves the incisions open to allow the excess fluid to drain, promoting healing and preventing infections.
  • In some cases, depending on the location, a compression garment may be worn afterwards to promote healing and relieve stress on the area.

Complications

As with all surgical procedures, there are risks and complications involved with liposuction. These risks must be weighed thoughtfully during your consultation prior to undergoing the procedure. Complications include, but are not limited to:

  • Infection
  • Reaction to lidocaine
  • Excessive pain
  • Uneven sculpting

The best way to mitigate these risks is to choose a qualified cosmetic surgeon to help you understand who is a good candidate for liposuction before ever undergoing the procedure.

To find out more about liposuction, and whether or not you are a good candidate, please contact the liposuction specialists at Dr. Paul Angelchik's Phoenix, Arizona office today.