Am I A Good Candidate For Abdominal Liposuction and Pectoral Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 45 year-old man that would like to improve my body. I am a little overweight and I seem to carry all of it in my belly. My chest and arms have no muscular definition and I would like implants to pumo them up. I have attached some pictures. Tell me if you think I am a good candidates for these procedures.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. In considering your request, the first issue is that of your belly. (abdomen) Given that you are a male with a round firm belly, it is important to realize that a significant part of the abdominal fat you are seeing is intra-abdominal (around the organs) and not extra-abdominal (between the muscles and the skin) where it can be reached by liposuction.  That is a unique feature of most men that have large bellies. While there is some fat that can be suctioned, the critical question is whether it is enough to justify the surgical effort. If I examined you I would know by feel. But in just looking at your pictures, I am concerned that the result obtained may not meet your expectations. Liposuction will help but it is not magical and it will not make your abdomen flat. The only way to get closer to what you desire is a combination of liposuction and weight loss. Liposuction will likely only get you halfway there.

When it comes to body contouring implants, like pectoral and arm implants, it would first be appropriate to get your abdomen in better condition. Given your abdomen the way it is now, pectoral implants would merely get lost in the shape of your body and may not make enough of a visual difference to justify the effort. At the very least, you are not now a candidate for arm implants. Body implants in general work and look best in men who are at a good body weight and are lean enough that the profiles of the implants can be seen.

In conclusion, the only option I would consider at this point is abdominal and flank liposuction and possibly pectoral implants.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana