Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to sculpt your body, removing unwanted pockets of exercise and diet-resistant fat from all areas of the body including the buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts (including male breasts), back, arms and neck. Liposuction is often combined with other procedures to create the desired shape. It is one of the safest and most popular cosmetic procedures.

You may consider liposuction if:

You have localized fat deposits that cause some areas to be disproportionate to the rest of your body.
You want to achieve a slimmer contour in certain areas of your body.
You have good skin elasticity (liposuction removes fat but cannot be used to tighten skin).

There are many factors to take into account when you are considering if liposuction is right for you. Liposuction can be used to make your clothes fit better because your body appears slimmer. It also uses small incisions, resulting in smaller scars than open body contouring procedures and can be done under sedation and offers less risk and shorter operation times than open body contouring procedures. However, the results of liposuction can be affected by weight gain, aging and pregnancy. It also does not improve the look of loose skin or cellulite, and may need to be paired with another procedure to achieve the look you desire. You may also need to lose weight before you undergo liposuction so that you can become a better candidate.

A good candidate for liposuction:

Has a minimal amount of excess skin and high skin elasticity. Your skin loses elasticity with age, which can compromise liposuction results. However, your candidacy will not be judged on age alone.
Has localized fat deposits in the abdomen, arms thighs and/or neck which may be the result of genetics and do not disappear with diet and exercise.
Is physically fit, no more than 20 lbs overweight and has a stable weight. If you are planning to lose a significant amount or gain a significant amount of weight (for example, due to pregnancy) you should not undergo liposuction at this time.

If you are generally in good health and have realistic expectations and a positive attitude you are likely a good candidate for liposuction. Discuss your wants and needs with your physician and plastic surgeon so they can help determine if liposuction is right for you.

Dr. Adil Ladak is a board certified plastic surgeon based in Edmonton Alberta. His specialties include facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring and skin treatments. Contact Dr. Ladak at 780.407.6691 to book your consultation.