The ideal candidate for liposuction is an adult within 30% of their ideal weight, with firm, elastic skin, and good muscle tone.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Weight: Being within 30% of your ideal weight means liposuction is being considered for contouring and shaping, rather than weight loss. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure.
- Skin Elasticity: Firm, elastic skin is crucial because liposuction removes fat, and the skin needs to retract smoothly afterward. Poor skin elasticity can result in sagging skin.
- Muscle Tone: Good underlying muscle tone provides a better foundation for the reshaped contours.
- Health: Ideal candidates are healthy individuals without life-threatening illnesses or medical conditions that could impair healing. This includes but isn't limited to, issues with blood clotting, compromised immune systems, or uncontrolled chronic diseases.
- Lifestyle: Nonsmokers and non-vapers are preferred as smoking and vaping negatively impact healing and increase the risk of complications.
- Realistic Expectations: The best candidates have realistic expectations about what liposuction can achieve. It's designed to improve body shape, not create perfection.
In summary, the ideal body for liposuction is already relatively fit and healthy, with localized areas of excess fat that are resistant to diet and exercise, and with good skin elasticity and underlying muscle tone.