No Age Limit For Liposuction
People older than 18 and minors under 18 with parental consent can undergo elective liposuction plastic surgery to remove fat in some parts of the body. Generally speaking, most plastic surgeons do not have an upper age limit for liposuction. Older patients can see significant improvements in weight and appearance. Liposuction can provide effective and safe body contouring if a patient is healthy and has the proper skin laxity.
Getting rid of stubborn fat
Liposuction is an elective cosmetic procedure that uses a suction process to remove a small amount of fat from certain areas of the body, such as the neck, abdomen, hips, buttocks, arms, and thighs. The cosmetic surgical procedure essentially slims and shapes specific areas of the body based on the patient’s desired body weight and appearance.
Who is a good candidate?
Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss through diet and exercise. Sagging skin and excessive weight removal are not addressed by liposuction alone. A good candidate for the procedure must be within 30% of the ideal weight, have elastic and firm skin, be a non-smoker, and be generally healthy enough to recover from the procedure.
Skin laxity changes with age
In older patients, skin elasticity is a determining factor in the procedure’s success. Collagen and elastin, 2 crucial components for skin health, are produced less as people age, resulting in sagging and loose skin. However, many patients aged 60 or older can still have excellent skin for the procedure. In addition to liposuction, a facelift or a tummy tuck may be recommended for patients with very loose skin.
What causes the skin to age faster?
Genetic predisposition is a significant predictor of skin health, although several environmental and lifestyle factors can affect the speed of skin aging. Smoking, dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, health conditions, excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and stress can rapidly change the skin’s structure, reducing its firmness and elasticity. Loose and sagging skin is not ideal for the liposuction procedure.
Adjusting expectations with age
Liposuction in older patients is still possible as long as the patient understands the differences in outcome between younger and older skin. Recovery from the procedure can take slightly longer than for a younger patient but can dramatically improve body contouring with the proper aftercare.
Transform the body at any age
In the world of body contouring, age is just a number. The most crucial factor of success is the health of the skin, where the patient wants to remove fat. Even older patients can look more youthful in the hands of a board-certified surgeon with years of experience. Minor body changes can result in a major cosmetic difference.
