Is Liposuction a Good Option for Patients Close to Their Goal Weight?

Working hard to lose weight but never getting the body shape you dreamed of can be frustrating, to say the least. Or you may simply be hanging on to 5 – 10 stubborn pounds that are keeping you from hitting your goal weight, which can also be discouraging. In either case, you may be wondering whether liposuction could be the answer — and whether liposuction close to your goal weight is a good idea. For many people, getting liposuction without much weight to lose is certainly a possibility and may indeed be the solution to finally achieving their ultimate goals. 

In fact, patients are typically encouraged to wait until they are, in fact, at or near their goal weight before turning to liposuction as more of a refinement or "final touch" tool. Here, Orange County board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Saba Motakef and our knowledgeable team at Motakef Plastic Surgery + Med Spa share important information about when to get liposuction, who qualifies for liposuction, how much fat can be removed with liposuction, and more. 

Am I too thin for liposuction?  

If you only have a few pounds to lose on the scale, you may think you're not a candidate for liposuction. However, eligibility for liposuction doesn't just depend on your weight. Instead, Dr. Motakef will consider a wide range of individual factors to determine who qualifies for liposuction, including:  

• Current weight 
• Starting weight and target weight 
• BMI 
• Stubborn areas of fat accumulation 
• Extra inches to lose 
• Overall health 
• Lifestyle and commitment to maintaining a stable weight after liposuction 

In many cases, liposuction at a normal weight is possible and can be highly effective for addressing stubborn areas that haven't responded to diet and exercise in the same way as the rest of your body, helping you finally get a proportionate, natural-looking figure you can feel confident about. 

How many pounds of fat can be removed with liposuction?  

The amount of fat removed during liposuction will also depend on a number of individual factors. Generally speaking, it is typically safe to remove about 10 – 11 pounds of fat — or four liters — during a single liposuction procedure. While this may not sound like a high number, most patients find that the difference in their contours, including how many inches are lost after liposuction, amounts to a significant change in their overall appearance and physique. 

How soon will I look thinner after liposuction?  

Swelling after liposuction is a normal part of the healing process and can conceal your results for up to 6 – 8 weeks, though you should start noticing your slimmer contours once preliminary swelling begins to resolve after just a few weeks. Because Dr. Motakef performs liposuction using a highly advanced VASER lipo technique — which minimizes disruption to the surrounding tissues — patients enjoy less swelling and bruising, as well as faster results after liposuction fat removal surgery. Once the results of liposuction have settled, you can join the millions of men and women who are more comfortable in their favorite clothing and more confident in their slimmer, smoother contours. 

Put the finishing touches on your figure with VASER liposuction in Anaheim Hills, CA  

Even if you only have five pounds to lose, liposuction may still be a possibility for you. To learn more about slimming down in your problem areas and losing the last few inches, contact us at Motakef Plastic Surgery + Med Spa to schedule a private consultation for liposuction in Orange County with board-certified plastic surgeon and VASER liposuction specialist Dr. Saba Motakef today.