Essentially there are no criteria for how young you can be to get liposuction? Definitive age restrictions for liposuction just don’t exist. Yet, most surgeons will require the patient to be at least 16 years of age if they are female or 18 years old if they are male. This is because these are the ages at which either gender complete their growth. Another criteria for getting cosmetic surgery must include psychological maturity. The reason to pursue liposuction is to gain a body contour aesthetic that you haven’t been able to get on your own. Liposuction allows expert, contouring surgeons to remove unwanted fat to physically shape and sculpt your body to the desire look you want.
For young teenagers, their self-image can be the driving force behind wanting liposuction. Many teenagers today face discrimination based on the way they look and if their weight is significantly above average. Many have tried diets, medication, and exercise to lose their unwanted weight but not appreciated results. According to literature and medical research from the CDC, adolescent obesity makes up 20.6% of the population of those aged between 12-19 years old. That is 1 out of every 5 young teens that are victims of obesity. Furthermore, they can become victims of depression, anxiety, social phobias, and personality disorders. This can affect school performances and relationships between friends and family. If your young teenager is facing problems with social struggles because of his or her weight and appearance, then cosmetic surgery can be helpful. In fact, liposuction as a cosmetic surgery is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in younger patients. Interestingly, I have observed many of our teenagers will start exercising more, eating healthier, and accomplish goals that they never thought they would reach after having had liposuction.
Now, how old is too old to get liposuction? The elderly population, also have no real age limit to receiving liposuction. The only limitations that would contradict liposuction are factors that can be associated with a patients health, but not the age itself. I have operated on many patients between 70 to 80 years old who had no medical conditions and were medically cleared by their physician. Yet there is no doubt as you age you will develop medical issues. Factors that could be related to your age are atherosclerotic disease, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, mental status, kidney function, liver disease, and pulmonary compromise. The first step involved in pursuing liposuction surgery is to consult with your primary care doctor. Your doctor will likely perform a variety of tests that include blood work to check your thyroid, blood count, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. You will also have your blood clotting capacity evaluated. Finally, you will also get an EKG to check the performance and function of your heart. The next step is to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon and sculptor like Dr. Mowlavi. Together, you will revisit your medical history and customize a surgical plan to meet your goals.