During the initial consultation for liposuction plastic surgery, the first goal of the surgeon will be to assess the patient’s candidacy and clear them for the procedure. Several aspects will be evaluated in this process in order to recommend liposuction to the right candidate only.
Board certified plastic surgeons at MBody provide liposuction to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredricksburg, and surrounding locations.
Who should Undergo Liposuction?
A good candidate for liposuction will be someone who enjoys general good health, has a stable body weight within 25 pounds of their ideal weight, and suffers from unsightly fat bulges in specific areas of the body that have become resistant to exercise and diet. Individuals above the age of 18 who meet the basic fitness and health criteria would usually make good candidates for liposuction plastic surgery.
Who should Avoid Liposuction?
The following individuals are not likely to make good candidates for liposuction:
- Pregnant or nursing woman
- An individual with a health concern that could pose risk during surgery or post-op healing
- People who are unable to stop smoking before surgery as stipulated by the surgeon
- Patients who are unable to discontinue or alter the schedule of certain prescription medications or blood thinners and herbal supplements before and after surgery
- Individuals who have a known allergy to lidocaine, a local anesthetic used in tumescent liposuction
Candidacy for Teens
In exceptional circumstances, the surgeon may approve candidate for a teen, especially after a substantial weight loss that may have left one or two lingering fat pockets. The plastic surgeon will evaluate the teen’s health, age, maturity and self-esteem to determine candidacy. Teen candidates will typically require contour correction in a limited area to address their self-esteem issues.
Candidacy for Adults
Upper age limit for liposuction is not specifically defined, but any adult who enjoys a reasonably good health and fitness level may safely undergo liposuction. Some people first like to consult their primary care physician and then meet the liposuction surgeon to be more confident about their suitability to undergo this procedure.
The ideal candidate will have a fairly elastic skin in order to achieve optimal results with liposuction. Liposuction is only a fat reduction surgery, and not a skin tightening procedure. Therefore, if the patient has severe skin laxity, they may have to combine liposuction with a body lift surgery. This concern is more common among older patients than younger ones.
Patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredricksburg, and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive liposuction at MBody.
Reasonable Expectations
An ideal candidate for liposuction will have reasonable expectations, and will know what the procedure can or cannot do for them. Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, and it cannot remove wrinkles, folds, cellulite, or stretch marks. Only about 10 pounds of fat from a localized area may be removed for safe results with liposuction.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit
Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.
