I agree with your surgeon's goal of trying to limit the duration of surgery to 5 hours. The amoun of fat removed refers only to the volume of lipoaspirate. 5 liters is the at the upper end of what is generally considered safe for a single anesthetic.
Although with proper overall patient management, especially fluid management, lipoaspirates of greater than 5 liters can safely be remove at one setting. The amount of tumescent fluid infiltrated should not exceed the maximum safe dose of the lidocaine component (generally accepted to be around 35 mg/kg).
There have been some laws enacted which impose stricter regulations on patient management after liposuction. For example, the state of Florida requires all patients who undergo liposuction of greater than 3 liters to be admitted to an ambulatory surgery center or hospital and observed overnight.
Your sugical risk is affected by your current body weight and overall state of health. Assuming these are normal and good to begin with, it sounds like combining the procedures you mentioned should be perfectly safe. MH
