Ask a Plastic Surgeon--Liposuction--Question 2

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Ask a Plastic Surgeon / Liposuction
Question 2

Question: Who would not be consider a good candidate for liposuction nor a tummy tuck? Also, is their a limit with liposuction on how much you can suction?

Response: Patients with prior abdominal surgery with certain scars (off the midline) cannot have full tummy tucks. Patients should not have suction lipectomy (aka "liposuction") done in an area that has been raised as a flap (such as a tummy tuck) due to risk of fat and pulmonary embolism. There is no specific limit on fat removal except the 5000cc total body limit due to fluid shift problems. Patients with excess skin or muscle laxity are not candidates for liposuction alone.

Question: 7-7-2006, RD, Florida
Response: 7-14-2006; Suan E. Kolb, MD, Atlanta, GA Dr. Kolb's web site

Editor's note: Additional link--Information on Liposuction from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Quote: "Who is a bad candidate (for Liposuction)? One who is grossly obese overall, has loose skin; plenty of stretch marks or the tissues have relaxed and are sagging. Patients with unrealistic expectations and poor motivation are also not good for liposuction. Such patients can get only modest results and something more [like skin removal and tightening] is required in addition." About.com.

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