Patients are incredibly concerned as they shold be with natural appearing results.  I have been asked recently about whether not patients would be able to have liposuction.  There are several factors I take into consideration when evaluating whether not a patint is an appropriate candidate or liposuction.  First I address if the patient has had changes in their  weight over the past several months that could unfortunately compromise the result.  I want patient to be at their current weight over the past 6 months and sometimes over the past year in a patient who has had surgical weight loss.  i would like the patient to have a BMI of less than 30 normally.  If these factors are within reason then we will delve into what area or areas they are interested in improving.  Liposuction doesn't remove all the fat in any given area.  I prefer patients to have a greater than 2 to 3cm pinch in any given area they desire liposuction.  Typical areas to have liposuction are the abdomen, flaks, hip roll, inner and outer thighs.  These can be done in conjunction with other procedures but I am not an advocate of large amounts of liposuction on the legs and thighs as well as excision procedures like tummy tucks.  There is an increased risk of DVT with combination procedures of the legs and abdomen.  I typically with confine the liposuction to the lower back, abdomen, flanks with the addition of a tummy tuck.  I feel the extremities can be dealt with in another session.  Also I would prefer that all patients after abdominal rejuvenation whether tummy tuck with or without liposuction feel very comfortable with walking in order to help prevent blood clot development in the veins of their legs.  It would make sense that patients would be less inclined to get up and move around if they have had liposuction of their abdomen, flanks and a tummy tuck as well as liposuction of the thighs and lower legs.  Liposuction is always associated with a certain amount of swelling.  The more swelling that develops the more difficulty the patient will have with pain control after surgery.  As soon as the procedure is finished and the wounds are closed my patient's are placed into the appropriate garments to help decrease swelling.  Swelling typically peaks at 48 to 72 hours after a procedure.  With the compression provided by the garment the patient will help limit their swelling.  This in essence will allow them to move around with less discomfort.  In addition pain medications are more effective when there is less swelling at the operative site.  These are some of the considerations for patients before and after their procedure.  Liposuction is a great technique to both improve those difficult areas of the abdomen, back, flanks, inner and outer thighs as well as a great sculpting tool in thinner patients.