Childhood Obesity is a Problem, But Liposuction is Not the Answer

For some children and teens it is difficult to feel confident when they are bombarded daily with pictures of professionally styled celebrities who have perfectly shaped bodies. They feel inadequate and unattractive compared to the people in magazines and movies. Parents also are becoming increasing concerned as the childhood obesity rate increases. Because of this an growing amount of minors are seeking cosmetic surgery, such as liposuction, to lose weight.

Like adults, children and adolescents also look to liposuction to contour and perfect their bodies when they feel they have unsightly fat. Childhood obesity is a growing problem, and so is child liposuction. Most surgeons do not believe it is a good idea and are hesitant or will refuse to perform the surgery on patients under the age of 18. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) says there is no scientific evidence supporting the safety or effectiveness of liposuction for children.

In fact, liposuction is never a weight-loss solution for anyone, so those looking for a cure to their child’s obesity should not even consider it. J. Peter Rubin, MD, of the Aesthetic Society’s Body Contouring Committee said, “This treatment plan sends a dangerous message to our young people, that plastic surgery is a cure for being overweight. That is simply not the case.” Liposuction has no health benefits and is merely cosmetic. Lifestyle and diet changes are the only long-term weight loss solutions for any person.

Because of this liposuction is usually discouraged for children. It is also more dangerous for children. The surgery has minimal risks for adults, but more serious complications can arise when performed on young patients whose bodies are still developing. Children go through growth periods when they need the excess fat they may be looking to lose, so removing these fat deposits could cause unpredictable future harm. It is also possible that future growth would erase results of liposuction, making it pointless.

For children and teenagers, the only possible benefit of liposuction is better self-esteem. However, good results cannot be guaranteed and it is better that they learn to control their weight with healthy lifestyles and feel good about themselves without having to look like supermodels. It is encouraged that young people wait to see what their fully developed bodies will be like, and to undergo liposuction then if they are still dissatisfied.

However, liposuction for adolescents may be used in cases of post-traumatic lipoma, post-traumatic asymmetry, lipodystrophy, and certain syndromes. But these are rare and extreme occasions.

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