Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction? Seven Signs You Qualify

Are you considering liposuction for stubborn fat pockets that resist diet and exercise? If you are near a stable weight, have reasonable skin elasticity, realistic expectations about the procedure, are in good overall health, a nonsmoker, and have already tried other approaches without results, you may be a strong candidate for this cosmetic surgery. 

At New Orleans Plastic Surgery, Dr. Michelle Eagan, a plastic and cosmetic surgeon, helps New Orleans area patients determine whether liposuction is the right path forward for their bodies and goals. Call today to discover more and schedule a consultation. 

How does body contouring work with liposuction? 

First, does body contouring work? Liposuction works by removing fat cells from targeted areas using a thin tube called a cannula. Because the fat cells are removed, they cannot return, making liposuction results long-lasting when paired with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. 

Of course, it's important to understand that liposuction is not considered a weight loss procedure. It's simply a sculpting tool designed to refine and reshape specific areas. 

Seven signs you may be a candidate for liposuction 

Here's a closer look at the signs that suggest liposuction could be right for you:  

1. You are at or near your goal weight: Liposuction works best for patients who are within about 30 pounds of their ideal weight. It's designed to address specific problem areas, not to produce overall weight loss. 
2. You have stubborn fat pockets: If your abdomen, flanks, thighs, or arms contain fat pockets that persist regardless of how hard you work, liposuction may be the solution. 
3. Your skin has reasonable elasticity: Good skin tone helps the skin conform to the body's new contours after the fat has been removed. Patients with significant skin laxity may need additional procedures to address the extra tissue. 
4. You are in good overall health: As with any cosmetic surgery, being in good general health is an important part of candidacy. Certain medical conditions or medications may affect whether liposuction is appropriate. 
5. You have realistic expectations: Liposuction results are meaningful and often dramatic, but they work best for patients who understand the scope of the procedure and are not expecting it to solve concerns it's not designed to address. 
6. You are a nonsmoker or willing to quit: Smoking affects circulation and healing, which is why Dr. Eagan typically requires patients to stop smoking well in advance of the surgery. 
7. You have tried other approaches first: The ideal candidates are those who have made genuine efforts at home and are looking for help with what those efforts could not fix. 

Is liposuction safe? 

Knowing all this, is liposuction safe? For healthy candidates at a stable weight, liposuction is considered a safe procedure with a strong track record of success. Like any surgery, risks exist, and candidacy matters. At New Orleans Plastic Surgery, Dr. Eagan will review your health history, evaluate areas of concern, and outline realistic liposuction results in New Orleans before making a recommendation. If you have questions about whether the procedure is appropriate for your situation, our office is the right place to get those answers. 

Find out if liposuction is right for you 

If you have questions such as, "Is liposuction safe?" or "Does body contouring work for my specific concerns?", Dr. Michelle Eagan and the team at New Orleans Plastic Surgery are here to help. Serving patients in New Orleans, LA, our practice is committed to helping every patient achieve cosmetic surgery results they feel confident about. Call today to schedule your consultation.