Liposuction is for contouring not for weight loss

Richard P. Rand, MD answers: How much weight can safely be lost with Smart lipo?

I have researched SmartLipo and I truly want to do this. I have lost and kept off 60lbs for over 5 years and even had a baby during this time. I am a size 14, 5ft1 and I am just stuck (and have been for a long time) and ready for a change. My problem areas are my double chin, back flanks and upper thighs.

I am just curious how much reduction is safely possible. Can anyone advise?


Richard P. Rand, MD
13 months ago

The proper application of liposuction is to treat areas of your body where focal excess fatty deposits exist despite all your best efforts at diet and exercise. In general, the happiest patient is one who can point with one finger at the specific areas of interest and the least satisfied patient is the one who wants an "all over" kind of result or is expecting specific inches or pounds to come off.

It may well be that at your height, with a 60 lb weight loss, you have enough extra skin that no liposuction (Smart or traditional) will work well since liposuction results are dependent on your skin's ability to shrink. Smart lipo has never been proven to result in better skin shrinkage so don't allow marketing claims to fool you into the wrong procedure.

You might want to go to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who can do all of the procedures and find our what might be the best plan of action for your own unique case.

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