Teenagers and Liposuction

It is well known that many teenagers, young women and men alike, suffer from distorted body images. Liposuction and other cosmetic surgeries are becoming increasingly popular among teenagers. Most cosmetic surgeons recommend that liposuction patients be at least 18 years of age. Younger people can be considered for the procedure, however.

Tell me more about liposuction
Fat deposits which cannot be removed by diet or exercise usually occur in areas such as the chin, chest, stomach, sides, back and thighs. Liposuction is a fat removal procedure that aims to eradicate excessive stubborn fat from these hard to shift areas. The procedure is performed with a thin metal tube (cannula), which is inserted underneath the skin to ‘vacuum’ localised fat away from particular irregular contours on the body in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, hips and buttocks.

As a teenager, what should I try first before considering liposuction?
A programme of diet and exercise should be tried first. Also, some surgeons suggest counselling for teenagers who are particularly obsessed with negative body images. Other professionals remind parents to maintain their own positive body images as well to set good examples for their teens.

While liposuction can help girls and boys achieve a more contoured physique, a healthy lifestyle is needed to maintain the results achieved with liposuction. For certain teens, bariatric surgery may be a better option.

What are the risks and potential complications associated with liposuction?

The complications related to this procedure are extremely rare and usually can be treated. The complications include:

• Dizziness after surgery due to loss of fluids.

• Swelling or oedema. Sometimes it may persist for weeks or months after the operation.

• Infections. Infections may happen after any surgery and may occur after liposuction as well. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to all patients even before the infection.

• Embolism. Embolism may occur when fat is loosened and enters the blood through the blood vessels broken during liposuction.

• Nerve Compression and Changes in Sensation. The patient may experience ‘paresthesias’ which is an altered sensation at the site of the liposuction. This may either be in the form of an increased pain in the area, or the loss of any sensitivity in the area.

• Skin Laxity, Waviness or Dimpling. The skin may become less elastic after the liposuction if a large volume of fat has been removed from a large area. This would mainly happen to older patients.

• Minor Depressions. These are small regions that have an opposite appearance from the dimpling described above. They may be over-treated after some time allowed for settling.

• Skin pigmentation. A slight stain may occur in the area that underwent the liposuction. However, the pigmentation will fully heal, even if this may take many months.

• Thrombosis. This occurs when the blood is clotted in the large veins of the leg. This complication is rare though and the symptoms associated with it are: the leg oedema, calf redness and heat.

• Reaction to anaesthesia.

 

What about asymmetries?
Due to removal of more fat from one side compared to the other side, asymmetry may occur.

Will I feel numb after liposuction?
Numbness will usually disappear in a few months and will only rarely be permanent.

What about scarring?
The small incisions made with the cannulas are very thin, so the scars will be scarcely visible. However, scarring also depends on the areas where the intervention took place. In the groin and lower limb where the scars cannot be concealed, the traces may remain noticeable for many months before fading.

Although the presented risks seem quite numerous, the better the patient is aware of them the better they can be reported to the surgeon and treated.

What is my first step?
Your initial consultation with one of our vastly experienced liposuction specialists should clearly set out your expectations and whether the operation can give you the results you desire.

Your reasons for wanting liposuction and your suitability for this type of procedure will be carefully discussed. Also, your medical history will be taken to ensure that there are no reasons why you should not have this operation.

What can I do to help achieve the best results?
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for liposuction, including guidelines on:

• Eating and drinking
• Smoking
• Taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications

 

How else can I prepare for this procedure?
If you are physically fit when you have this operation, you will recover much more quickly than if you are out of shape.

Find out more
Only through an in-depth discussion with your surgeon will you be able to understand the risks, benefits and expected outcomes of this procedure.

If you would like to find out more about liposuction or arrange a consultation, contact us today on 08707 606 555, or by completing our online enquiry form for an immediate response.