The problem of excess pockets of fat in localized areas of the body such as the abdomen, the face, or the arms can be a daunting challenge for many people. Most men and women try to address this issue through diet and exercise, but these do not always work. Liposuction is the best plastic surgery procedure to remove excess fat from any part of the body. But is there a right or wrong age to have liposuction surgery? This article explores liposuction in more detail and answers the question: what is the best age to have a lipo?
Should I Get a Liposuction?
Before we answer the question of what the right time is to have liposuction, let’s first dwell on the necessity of this treatment. Healthcare providers usually recommend a healthy lifestyle (including dieting and exercise) as the best path to a perfect physique. However, this doesn’t turn out to be the case for most people. Liposuction has been recognized in the plastic surgery community as the most efficient cosmetic treatment to remove unwanted fat deposits. One of the best things about this procedure is that it is minimally invasive (only tiny incisions are needed). Liposuction can also target nearly any part of the body, including the buttocks, hips, abdomen, face, thighs, and upper arms.
| Plastic surgeons have perfected the art of liposuction since the first such procedure was administered in 1974. According to realpatientratings.com, Liposuction had impressive patient satisfaction rates of over 90%. The treatment is also among the three most common cosmetic surgeries in the country. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that more than 265,000 lipo procedures were performed in 2019. |
If you are determined to remove unwanted pockets of fat and nonsurgical options don’t seem to be working for you, then it makes sense altogether to turn to liposuction.
Am I Qualified for Liposuction?
Liposuction is a generally safe procedure with a considerably short recovery duration. You may be qualified for this cosmetic treatment if:
- You are in good physical and emotional health.
- You are within 30 percent of your ideal body weight.
- You do not smoke.
- You have good muscle tone as well as firm and elastic skin.
- You have tried nonsurgical management options such as diet and exercise without much success.
- You have realistic expectations about the outcome of this procedure.
Your plastic surgeon should be in a position to conduct an assessment and let you know whether this treatment is for you. It is important to note though that liposuction should not be interpreted as a weight-loss method. Overweight patients may be required to shed off some weight through lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery before they can have liposuction to remove stubborn pockets of adipose tissue.
How Is Liposuction Surgery Performed?
Plastic surgeons have various techniques that they can use when performing liposuction surgery. These include the super-wet technique, tumescent liposuction method, ultrasound-assisted, and laser-assisted liposuction. The right method is selected based on the unique treatment needs of each patient.
Liposuction is typically an outpatient treatment that may be administered at a plastic surgeon’s in-office operating room, or an accredited medical facility. The plastic surgeon will start by marking off the treatment areas in readiness for the surgery. Anesthesia will then be administered in order to ensure your safety and comfort. Tiny, inconspicuous incisions will be created in the marked area and a small, hollow tube known as a cannula will be inserted to remove excess fat. Once the procedure is completed in line with the goals of the surgery, the incisions will be closed and treatment areas bandaged. The procedure can take between 2 and 4 hours depending on the amount of fat that needs to be removed. Patients are usually allowed to go home the same day to continue with recovery.
What is the Right Age to Have Liposuction?
The answer to this question can vary based on who you ask. However, younger patients tend to do better with liposuction because their skin is elastic enough to shrink down to size after the excess fat is removed. Mature patients may not have enough skin elasticity to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Outside of this consideration, there is no right or wrong age to have a liposuction. During your initial consultation with a plastic surgeon, your doctor should be able to let you know whether this procedure is the right choice based on your unique circumstances. For instance, teenagers may be advised to try a change in eating habits or exercising before they consider liposuction as a way to reduce excess body fat. Similarly, women who are looking to address excess abdominal fat following childbearing may be asked to have a tummy tuck instead. The goal is always to undergo the least invasive treatment possible that will yield the best possible outcome based on your requirements.
How Do I Prepare for a Successful Procedure Outcome?
Once you have considered the various options and decided to move forward with liposuction, it is important to take the right lipo preparation steps in order to ensure a successful procedure outcome. You should get the lab work done well before the date of the surgery. You will also be asked to stop taking certain medications and supplements that could increase your risk of bleeding. If you are a smoker, you should quit at least a month before the surgery in order to give your body the best chance for a proper recovery. While you are at it, make sure to think about the recovery process and stock up with all the supplies you might need. You want to pave the way for a successful procedure while also facilitating a smooth and uninterrupted recovery.