If you already have a normal body mass index (BMI), you may be wondering if liposuction is really worth it. The answer may surprise you.
More often than not, individuals that already have a normal BMI, or are within 30 percent of their ideal weight, are those who are considered good candidates for liposuction. Liposuction is not intended for overall weight loss. Instead, it’s an aesthetic procedure designed to target specific problem areas of unwanted fat. The body contouring benefits of liposuction can help slim and streamline your appearance by removing fat cells from these problem areas.
Liposuction Targets Problem Areas
Even after achieving a normal BMI, many people still experience localized areas of excess fat that may not be responding to diet and exercise. It can be discouraging to know you are eating healthy and working out regularly but do not seem closer to achieving your desired look. The fat reducing benefits of liposuction may come as a relief to many people who are still struggling against stubborn fat pockets yet are within the normal BMI range.
Areas that are often resistant to fat loss include the lower abdomen, hip and thigh, and love handle region. Liposuction can target these problem areas, and improve body contours, by strategically removing excess fat cells through a variety of fat-suctioning techniques. To date, many consider liposuction to be an ideal procedure for body contouring due to its effectiveness and efficiency.
Whether it’s slimmer thighs or a smaller midsection, most people seek out liposuction because they want to look and feel more like themselves. Addressing your trouble zone areas with liposuction can help you achieve your aesthetic goals and restore your sense of body confidence.
Determining if Your BMI is Normal
Since liposuction is not a weight loss intervention, most board-certified plastic surgeons recommend being as close to your ideal weight as possible, or at a normal BMI, prior to scheduling your liposuction treatment. In order to determine your BMI, and whether it’s within normal range, take your total weight in kilograms and divide it by your height in meters squared.
A normal BMI is considered to be within the range of 18.50 to 24.99 (kg/m2).
Meanwhile, those who have a BMI above 25 are considered overweight and those with a BMI above 30 are within the obese range. Although there are no specific BMI requirements for liposuction, liposuction for those with a normal BMI is often considered ideal. Many board-certified plastic surgeons will be reluctant to perform liposuction on patients with a BMI over 35 due to the risk of poor results and increased complications.
If you are a good candidate for liposuction and are concerned about excess fat deposits that don’t seem to be responding to diet or exercise, then liposuction may be right for you. Keep in mind, it’s important to discuss what your aesthetic goals are with your board-certified plastic surgeon, so that your treatment is tailored to fit your specific needs. Liposuction is both customizable and often combined with other body contouring treatments, such as a tummy tuck or butt lift, to help you get even closer to the silhouette you’re striving to achieve.
Dr. Scot Martin concentrates on breast enhancement and body contouring at his practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A nationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
He looks forward to meeting you and helping you become the best version of yourself possible.
