Liposuction can often provide very substantial improvements, but it must be emphasised that it is neither a weight loss technique nor a solution for obesity.
It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite, a condition that gives your skin an uneven, dimpled appearance.
However, liposuction is a successful procedure for spot fat reduction.
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 eliminate excess stubborn fat from these hard to shift areas.
The liposuction sites may be the following: thighs, hips, knees, arms, neck, back, chin or buttocks.
Liposuction should be thought of as a sculpting procedure that can change the contours of your body or face.
Liposuction can be ideal for patients who have reached physical maturity, are at or near their ideal body weight, and have stubborn, localized deposits of fat they want removed.
Both men and women can be excellent candidates for liposuction.
Approximately eighty per cent of patients are female and they most commonly have liposuction performed on the abdomen, buttocks and thighs.
About twenty per cent of patients are men, the most common location for liposuction being the "love handles".
Extremely obese individuals who have failed to lose weight through diet and exercise will not benefit from liposuction.
The ideal candidate for liposuction will be in good health, exercise regularly and be within twenty-five pounds of their ideal weight.
Patients with very localized exercise and diet resistant fatty deposits will obtain the best results.
They should also be psychologically stable, preferably non-smokers and desire reshaping rather than weight loss.
Other desirable qualities in a liposuction patient are firm, elastic skin with no frequent fluctuations in weight, with an acceptance of any possible limitations, as discussed with their surgeon.
Always consult with a qualified physician before deciding to undergo any liposuction procedure.
The teenage years can be extremely tough for children who are teased about their weight, leading some teenagers to seek surgical options; however, liposuction and tummy tucks are not the answer for very young people, especially when they have not finished growing.
There is no doubt that some teenagers may physically and psychologically benefit from having plastic surgery.
For example, surgery to pin back the ears or to reduce an overly large nose may dramatically improve a teenager's self-esteem and body image.
In contrast, the desire to be thin, no matter how strong, does not justify the use of liposuction to treat childhood obesity.
Furthermore, there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of body contouring procedures to fight childhood obesity.
Proper diet and exercise will always be the best ways to slim down.
Besides, the teenage years are the optimum time to engage in sports and other form of exercise, as well as healthy eating, to manage their body weight.
In addition, their metabolic rate will be higher than at any future time in their lives, making weight loss easier to manage.