What is BMI?
The Body-Mass Index is a measurement tool. It tells a healthcare practitioner where a person stands within the range of what is considered a healthy weight versus overweight versus underweight. The way that BMI is measured is using a relatively simple calculation. A person’s weight in pounds is first divided by their height in inches squared. Then, that is multiplied by 703. For example, the equation for a 150 lb. woman standing 66 inches tall would be 150 ÷ 662 x 703. In this instance, BMI is 24.2, but this is just the beginning.
The purpose of calculating BMI before liposuction is to confirm that the patient is within a range in which optimal results can be safely achieved. Healthy BMI is generally defined as being within a range of 18.5 and 24.99. Does this mean that someone with a BMI higher than 24.99 cannot have liposuction? Not necessarily. The standard BMI calculation is not perfect. It may not adequately account for muscle mass or achieve definitive results for people who are very short or very tall. However, it is necessary to discuss what kind of results would be expected based on the circumstances of each situation.
How BMI Relates to Liposuction
People who are interested in losing weight may not be the best candidates for liposuction. People who are interested in having a more sculpted body, however, may be excellent candidates. The safety guidelines for liposuction dictate that only 5.000 mL of fat can be removed in a single procedure. This equates to about 11 pounds. Interestingly, this 11-pound removal may not translate to an 11-pound loss on the scale.
Liposuction is body contouring, not weight loss. With this in mind, you can make the right moves to achieve your aesthetic goals. If liposuction is part of that concept, give us a call at (775) 826-4477 to schedule your consultation.
