TeenHealthFX - Answers - Liposuction

Spot Reducing & Increasing / Question
Published: November 26, 2003

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I'm 17 years old and I think that I am over weight because I'm 5'4 and 190lbs. I was considering liposuction. I was wondering if it was safe and some of the risks - is there anything you could help me with? Please help.

Signed: Liposuction - Safety & Risks

Dear Liposuction - Safety & Risks,

TeenHealthFX would not recommend liposuction - it is for people who are near or at their ideal body weight - it is not a weight loss procedure. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, liposuction does carry risks, "uneven skin surface, especially in patients with poor skin elasticity, bleeding, infection, discoloration, fluid accumulation beneath the skin, numbness and scarring. Although complications with this surgery are extremely rare, infection and excessive loss of fluid can lead to serious illness and even death."

You have not mentioned whether or not you have tried changing your diet and exercising, but this is the safest, healthiest way to reduce your weight. If you eat healthy and get regular exercise in such a way that you maintain a good weight for your body, you will be developing habits that will be with you and keep your weight in check for the rest of your life. TeenHealthFX realizes this is a slower and less dramatic way to lose weight, however, by exercising and eating healthy on a regular basis, you will lose weight and keep it off for good. Even if you had liposuction, if you did not change your eating and exercising habits, the weight would come right back and you would have spent a good deal of money and risked surgery to be right back where you were.

TeenHealthFX recommends that you share your concerns about your weight with your doctor. Ask him or her what you can do to get in better shape and stay that way. Your doctor can also recommend working with a nutritionist to help plan meals that are both satisfying and nutritious and will help you lose the amount of weight that is right for you. Work on setting a series of short-term realistic goals, rather than tackling your entire weight loss goal at once.

Signed: TeenHealthFX