What Are the Prerequisites for Liposuction?

Posted April 02, 2025 in Body Procedures

Liposuction continues to land at the top of the list of the most popular cosmetic procedures because of its ability to slim and trim down specific areas of the body. Unlike diet and exercise, liposuction can spot reduce places on your body with stubborn pockets of excess fat that refuse to budge despite your best efforts. However, while liposuction is a safe and effective body-contouring procedure, like any surgery, it may not be suitable for everyone. In this blog, we’ll explore what makes you a good candidate for liposuction and what you need to do before undergoing the surgery.

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What Does Liposuction Involve?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate stubborn fat deposits from areas like the abdomen, waist, buttocks, hips, thighs, arms, and chin. This extremely versatile procedure involves creating small incisions through which a thin tube, known as a cannula, is inserted to suction out the excess fat. Liposuction allows you to target nearly any area of your body, resulting in a more sculpted and toned appearance overall.

Several liposuction techniques are available, including tumescent liposuction, suction-assisted liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, TriDef® liposculpting, and power-assisted liposuction, each with its own advantages. However, while any type of liposuction offers excellent results, it’s not always the right choice for everyone. Before undergoing liposuction, surgeons often ask that you meet certain prerequisites to ensure your safety during the procedure and maximize your results.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Not everyone is an ideal candidate for liposuction. Because it is a surgical procedure, like any surgery, there are health and medical requirements you must meet to minimize risks. To determine whether the procedure is right for you, Dr. Hadeed will evaluate several factors, including the following:

Liposuction Patients Should Be Nonsmokers

Using nicotine in any form can interfere with healing after surgery and increase your risk of complications. Before undergoing liposuction, you must commit to stopping nicotine use, even if it is for the weeks leading up to your procedure and several weeks after.

Liposuction Patients Should Be in Good Overall Health

If you have issues such as an autoimmune disease or bleeding disorder, these conditions could impair healing after liposuction.

Liposuction Patients Should Be Free of Serious Health Conditions

Beyond being in overall good health, ideal candidates for liposuction should not suffer from issues like heart disease, respiratory disease, or uncontrolled diabetes, as these can cause complications during and after surgery.

Liposuction Patients Should Be at a Stable Body Weight

Liposuction is not a method of weight loss but rather a body contouring tool to put the finishing touches on your physique. One of the most important things to understand about the procedure is that it is not a substitute for weight loss and will not prevent weight gain in the future. If you wish to undergo liposuction, you should have a BMI of under 35 and ideally less than 30. You should also be within about 20 pounds of your ideal weight and have maintained a stable weight for at least six months.

Liposuction Patients Should Have Good Skin Elasticity and Firmness

To be a good candidate for liposuction, you should have firm, elastic skin that can “snap back” and conform to your new body contours after surgery. Because liposuction removes excess bulk, good skin elasticity is crucial for achieving smooth, natural-looking results. You should also understand that age affects skin elasticity, so your liposuction results may be affected depending on your age and the quality of your skin. However, even if your skin isn’t as elastic as it used to be, there are several surgical and non-surgical ways to tighten it after liposuction to ensure gorgeous results.

Liposuction Patients Should Have Realistic Expectations for Their Results

When considering liposuction, potential liposuction patients should have an understanding of what it can and cannot achieve. You should have realistic goals regarding your results, recognizing that the procedure is intended to enhance your body contours rather than completely transforming your figure. You should also be aware that some areas may need multiple treatments for ideal results. When you come in for your liposuction consultation with Dr. Hadeed, he will go over this information with you so you’re well-prepared for what to expect from your procedure.

Lifestyle Prerequisites for Liposuction

In addition to medical requirements, certain lifestyle factors can also affect whether liposuction is a good option for you. To avoid complications during your surgery and recovery, as well as to maintain your liposuction results, you must:

Quit smoking for at least four to six weeks before and after surgery
Stop certain medications and supplements as instructed by Dr. Hadeed
Take adequate time off work and other daily activities to allow your body to heal
Follow Dr. Hadeed’s post-operative care instructions carefully to minimize the risk of complications and maximize your results
Wear your compression garments as directed to reduce swelling, promote healing, and support your new shape
Do lymphatic drainage massages to help get rid of excess fluid and maintain your new contours
Avoid strenuous activities and exercise for four to six weeks as you heal
Follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly (once you’re cleared following recovery)
Maintain a stable weight, avoiding significant weight fluctuations

While you may not be disqualified as a candidate if you don’t meet these criteria, it can make surgery, recovery, and maintaining your liposuction results more challenging.

Learn More About Liposuction in Beverly Hills, CA

Liposuction is an excellent way to improve your body contour and boost your confidence. If you’re considering liposuction in Beverly Hills but aren’t sure you’re a good candidate, it’s time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Josef Hadeed. He will examine you and review the prerequisites above to determine if liposuction is right for you.To make an appointment, call our office today at (310) 970-2940, or complete our online contact form.