Liposuction: Know If You Are A Good Candidate

If you want to improve the shape and appearance of your body, you may be thinking about getting liposuction. Before you make the decision, though, you need to make sure that you are a candidate for the procedure. There are a few requirements you will need to meet before you sign up for surgery.

If you want liposuction merely because you want to lose weight, this may not be the best procedure for you. This treatment typically only takes a few pounds off, so you are advised to be at or near your ideal weight first. In fact, it is best to get this done only if you have stubborn fat in certain areas that will not come off despite a good diet and regular exercise. Fro example, many people choose this route to eliminate love handles on their sides, or saddlebags near their thighs. Consider the areas on your body that seem to collect flab, and let your doctor know that is where you would like the treatment.

You should also be in generally good health first. Many doctors cannot perform the surgery on patients who take certain medications, especially drugs like blood thinners, since they may interfere with the healing process. Ask your surgeon what medications you can be on, and then talk to your primary care doctor if there is a way to safely stop taking the drugs in question so that you can get the surgery. However, in many cases, it is not safe to stop medications that are necessary, so you might have to consider options besides liposuction to get rid of stubborn flab.

Some lifestyle habits may need to change before you get the surgery, as well. For example, smoking and excessive drinking can both lengthen the recovery process, so many doctors will not perform the procedure on those who have their habits. Talk to your surgeon to find out if you should quit such habits, at least temporarily so that you can heal correctly and quickly.

Finding out more about this procedure is advised, especially if you are not yet clear on whether you are a good candidate. Now that you have an idea of what could disqualify you from this treatment, you should talk to the surgeon that you want to perform it, and make sure he or she considers you a healthy candidate for liposuction. You might need to bring your medical background, and maybe submit to an exam, so be prepared.