Liposuction plastic surgery can effectively remove stubborn fat pockets which have been resistant to diet and exercise. This procedure enhances the body contours allowing the patient to attain a more sculpted, slimmer physique.
At the time of consultations, patients often ask surgeons questions on the amount of fat that liposuction can safely remove.
Every Situation is Different
While there is no upper limit for fat removal, this decision is ultimately taken on the basis of a particular patient’s medical condition and aesthetic goals.
The upper limit of the amount of fat that liposuction plastic surgery can safely eliminate is between six to eight pounds, or three to four liters. The risk of complications is proportionate to the amount of fat being eliminated.
If the patient requires more fat removal beyond six to eight pounds, the surgeon will likely phase the liposuction process into separate surgical procedures which are spaced several weeks apart.
The Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin provides liposuction body contouring to patients in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and surrounding locations.
Eliminating Substantial Amounts of Fat
Patients should understand that removing the largest possible quantity of fat will not necessarily create optimal results. Liposuction is not a treatment for weight-loss. Rather, it is meant to contour the body by removing precise fat deposits from specific body areas.
If the patient’s aim is weight-loss, then liposuction surgery is likely not a suitable procedure for them. The patient will need to be at their target weight before the surgeon establishes them as a suitable candidate for liposuction surgery.
The elimination of smaller amounts of fat will produce more natural looking results for many patients. It does not make sense to eliminate ten to 12 pounds of fat if the patient can achieve their body contouring objectives by removing only three to four pounds of fat/fluid.
Factors Affecting Fat Removal
Treatment site Overall body weight Body Shape If the patient is receiving additional procedures in combination with liposuction surgery
Liposuction plastic surgery is not a weight loss procedure. This surgery is appropriate for patients who are already within their ideal weight range and seek additional contouring which cannot be accomplished with diet and exercise alone. The removal of a relatively small amount of fat can achieve this objective for most patients.
Risks Associated with Removing Too Much Fat
There are many problems that may arise if the patient undergoes excessive fat loss during liposuction surgery. The possibility of unwanted outcomes, such as the hollow dimpling of skin or lumps, increases. However, the most crucial reason to avoid excessive fat removal is the risk to the patient’s safety.
In general, liposuction is a very safe procedure. But the risk of complications is much higher with the elimination of too much fat. The potential risks of excessive fat removal with liposuction include:
Infection Seroma and hematoma development The accumulation of excess fluid that may impact breathing Adverse reaction to anesthesia Fat embolism (a tiny amount of emulsified fat enters the bloodstream) Dehydration-induced shock Blood clots
With the removal of a more substantial amount of fat, the liposuction procedure becomes more involved and extended. This can impact the recovery duration as well
