If you’ve asked, “How old do you have to be to get liposuction?”, you’re likely worried about health or the quality of your skin. The minimum age for a liposuction procedure is usually 18, though there are a few additional factors that can impact approval.
A board certified plastic surgeon has to take several details into account for your safety before committing to plastic surgery procedures. We’ll talk about the importance of age when choosing a liposuction procedure, the impact age has on your appearance post-recovery, and common misconceptions about liposuction surgery.
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Why is Age Important for a Liposuction Procedure?
Whether you’re seeking a plastic surgery procedure for yourself or paying for a family member, age is a crucial detail to determine approval. The three main reasons for this are:
Mental and Emotional Maturity
Since plastic surgery can involve tools like needles or scalpels, the experience can be too intimidating for a young patient. Similarly, teenagers are still forming their identities, making a cosmetic surgery procedure too dramatic a change at so early a stage in their lives.
If a parent wants to take their child for a plastic surgery procedure, they have to undergo extensive counseling beforehand to ensure they’re making the right decision. While some surgeons will provide liposuction to a patient below 18 with parental consent, others may not.
Skin Elasticity
Adults in their 30s or 40s tend to benefit the most from liposuction surgery due to still having some collagen production. This age range still tends to show swift recovery due to the skin retracting and stretching over the new body contouring procedure.
Older adults in their 50s and 60s develop less collagen, making it more difficult for the skin to stay pliant and smooth after a liposuction procedure. Since one of the most common side-effects of liposuction is sagging skin, older adults tend to benefit from hybrid treatment options that address fat cells and the skin.
For example, an older adult may seek a tummy tuck to help with leftover sagging skin from their procedure.
General Physical Health
It’s important to remember that age is just one of many health indicators surgeons take into account. Whether a patient undergoes suction assisted liposuction or ultrasound assisted liposuction, existing health needs will determine their recovery time.
Before a patient undergoes liposuction, their plastic surgeon will evaluate their cardiovascular health and any chronic conditions, such as asthma or diabetes. They’ll also look at medication use, since certain medications can interfere with post-recovery by affecting blood clotting.
Since older adults are more likely to have more health problems, surgeons have to take age into account. However, any patient of any age can have pre-existing health conditions.
Liposuction Results Week by Week: What to Expect During Recovery
If you need a little help imagining what your liposuction procedure could look like, we have a step-by-step example detailing what an average surgery looks like. Whether you seek out stomach fat removal or need extensive fat removal all over, there will be commonalities between post-recovery requirements.
With the help of a healthy diet and close adherence to your surgeon’s post-recovery regimen, recovery is generally swift and predictable.
The First Week
After undergoing your liposuction procedure, your plastic surgeon will give you an in-depth post-recovery regimen. Sticking to this regimen closely is crucial to avoid complications that could lengthen recovery time.
You’ll receive compression garments for the affected areas after liposuction surgery to reduce swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Your surgeon will ask you not to remove your compression garment for the first night, avoid salty foods, and not to shower for the first 24 hours.
While there will be some pain and drainage from the incision site, mild movement will help promote healthy fluid drainage and reduce the risk of blood clots. Throughout the first week, you’ll experience lumps, bumps, and temporary numbness around the treated areas.
The Second Week
Some liposuction patients are alarmed if they’re still swollen by the second week, but this is perfectly normal. Removing unwanted fat is a process that the body needs time to gradually adjust to by repairing itself and balancing its fluid retention again.
Another side-effect of a liposuction procedure is your nerves ‘waking up’. Patients sometimes feel tingling, itching, or mild, zinging pains around the treated site. These side-effects are temporary and will eventually go away.
You still need to wear your compression garment as directed by your plastic surgeon.
The Third Week
It’s common for patients to start getting frustrated with wearing compression garments at this point, but they’re vital to promote a full recovery. At this point in your recovery, you’ll notice swelling going down and surrounding bruises starting to fade.
Your surgeon may allow you to return to mild exercise routines, such as going on a brisk walk or doing light yoga. More intensive exercise routines like cardio workouts or bodybuilding need to wait.
The Fourth Week
Your surgeon may or may not let you remove your compression garments in the fourth week. However, some surgeries require you to wear these garments for up to six weeks.
Since it’s been around a month, patients will usually get clearance to return to their regular diets and exercise routines. Some may receive advice to hold off and wait a little longer. Make sure to communicate consistently with your plastic surgeon’s office to give them updates on your recovery.
The Fifth and Sixth Week
Your surgeon will schedule a visit after roughly a month to gauge your progress and determine whether you can take off your compression garment. While you may notice some skin sagging or lingering bruising, don’t lose hope: your skin just needs more time to pull itself back together.
By the end of the fifth or sixth week, patients are able to see their liposuction results and return to their everyday work and exercise schedule.
What is the Liposuction Cost?
The final cost for liposuction depends on how much fat you need removed, the liposuction procedure, and anesthesia fees. The lower range is between $800 to $2,000, while the higher end hovers between $5,000 to $10,000+.
For example, laser assisted liposuction often costs more because the necessary devices are a little more expensive. This form of liposuction also tightens the skin while reducing fat, a double benefit that makes it a particularly popular option.
The amount of fat you need removed is also a major contributor. Removing small fat cells from a specific area won’t cost as much as extensive fat removal for an intensive weight loss procedure.
Last but not least, local anesthesia costs less than general anesthesia.
Frequently Asked Questions: How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Liposuction?
Thinking of using suction assisted liposuction for body contouring or achieving a healthy weight? We have a few commonly asked questions to help you cement a decision.
Does Liposuction Hurt?
Since liposuction requires local or generalized anesthesia before treatment, patients will feel no pain during the procedure. Post-procedure recovery time comes with pain such as swelling, bruising, and drainage, but these side-effects are temporary.
Is Liposuction Safe for a 14-Year Old?
Since children aren’t fully mature and their bodies are still changing, liposuction is more risky. While strict adherence to a surgeon’s post-recovery regimen will minimize risk, children need a parent’s consent for approval and must receive strict guidance concerning school or extracurricular activities.
Does Liposuction Scar?
Liposuction procedures usually leave a few scars at the incision sites, but these scars are temporary. When you closely follow the liposuction recovery timeline, lingering scars or bruises will fade in time.
Contact Our Office to Get a Consultation for Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most powerful methods for sculpting your body and making you feel more comfortable in your own skin. Dr. Sanam Zahedi provides customized treatment plans suited to your age, goals, and personal preferences.
When you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of liposuction, schedule your consultation.
