Am I Too Old for Liposuction?

If you are considering getting liposuction, you may be wondering whether or not you are too old to undergo this procedure. Liposuction generally works well for people of all ages, but there are some additional factors that you should consider when weighing the advantages and disadvantages. A surgeon will let you know if you are an ideal candidate for liposuction during your consultation. Here are a few age-related factors that a surgeon will look at prior to performing liposuction.

Your General Health

Certain health problems that are associated with aging may prevent you from having liposuction. This procedure is not recommended for anyone with serious heart problems such as coronary artery disease. Having diabetes or restricted blood flow will also put you at risk for developing complications. If your immune system has been compromised due to old age, your surgeon won’t likely recommend this procedure.

Skin Elasticity 

If age has resulted in poor skin elasticity, you can still benefit from having liposuction but may not experience the best results. If skin sags around your upper abdomen or inner thighs, you will likely notice some wrinkles in these areas following your procedure.

Response to Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is often used in liposuction, but you may be given general anesthesia if you plan to have large areas of the body treated. Some older people do not respond well to anesthesia, so you should tell your surgeon if you experienced complications during any recent surgeries. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) sometimes affects older people who receive anesthesia and can lead to long-term memory loss and other cognitive impairments. 

Being older doesn’t automatically disqualify you from having liposuction, but you should consult with a surgeon beforehand to rule out the risks of any age-related complications. Please get in touch with us to schedule a consultation.