Maximum Fat Volume That Can Be Removed by Laser Liposuction?

The question shows the confusion concerning Laser Liposuction vs Traditional, Ultrasonic, Vaser, Power-Assisted, and Body Jet Liposuctions. In Laser Liposuctions, ie Smart Lipo, the concept is a sculpting more than a fat removal in terms of pounds of fat or cc's of fat. Therefore, Smart Lipo is NOT for fat removal of, let's say, 2 pounds or 3 liters of fat. Versus the other lipos, especially Body Jet Lipo (Water-assisted Liposuction -- WAL) that can do 'large volume liposuction', up to... more

Dear Flawed, Laser liposuction is generally reserved for smaller volume contouring of the body. The recommended maximum volume of fat to be removed with standard liposuction is 5 liters. Since fat is lighter than water, 5 liters of fat would not weigh 11 pounds. At any rate, you should not rely on any form of liposuction for weight loss. Liposuction is a contouring procedure, not a weight loss plan. Good luck!

Liposuction can be performed by many different techniques, traditional, ultrasound, laser assisted, and there have been no clear advantages of one over another. Some surgeons simply prefer one 'system' over another. Typically though many apply laser liposuction only to smaller areas. As a whole studies have confirmed a safe limit of 5000cc or five liters for a given liposuction procedure on an outpatient basis. Higher volume liposuction is possible for special circumstances, however the... more

Whether it's laser liposuction, ultrasound liposuction, or regular liposuction, make sure you're in a hospital or fully accredited surgicenter where you can be observed if more than 2 liters of fat is removed. The way your body reacts after large volume liposuction may require your urine output to be monitored and extra fluid given intravenously. Also, make sure you're comfortable with your plastic surgeon and his/her post-operative care before proceeding with surgery. Good luck!... more

First of all 10lbs of liposuction would be a HUGE amount of liposuction. Even at five liters of aspirate the amount of fat is only a pound or two. But regardless I'm not a fan of this laser lipo stuff because it goes against everything inherent to traditional Liposuction. Laser liposuction's intent is to cause a wound to the under side of the skin leading to "skin contracture." It's this specific reason that we stay away from the skin during traditional liposuction-damage to... more

5 liters is generally the most that can be removed at one time wth liposuction.  In general, even smart lipo advocates do not recommend it for larger volumes. The bottom line, as i said in your last question, is to not dwell on any procedure, particularly one that is of unproved and dubious benefit.

Liposcution whether performed with a laser or more traditional means such as cannulas, power assisted, vaser, etc.  should be limited tono more than about 5 liters of pure fat.  More than that can lead to fluid shifts and problems.

Studies have shown that the complication rates start increasing significantly after 5000cc of liposuctioning. That is usally the limit for most plastic surgeons, especially on an outpatient basis. There really have been no studies to my knowledge that compare the various types of liposuctioning vs complication rates and volume of removal. Liposuctioning is not a way to lose weight, although you may lose weight with the fat removal. It is best used for contouring. That being said, many... more

ALL liposuction, regardless of the actual technique, must conform to several safety guidelines. Experience has shown that as long as NO MORE than 5 liters (=5,000 cc = 5,000 ml = 11 pounds = 176 ounces = 0.79 stones (for our UK readers)of fat can be removed safely as an out patient procedure. If large volumes of fat are removed, you would require an IV line, a Foley (urinary) catheter and a close follow up overnight or even for a few days to make sure your circulating blood volume is... more

Liposuction is a safe procedure when it is done for the right reasons. There has been a lot of interest in the question of whether doing larger volumes is safe (I agree with Dr. Rand on the 5000 cc limit, which would be at the most 2 or 3 pounds), but adding the laser doesn't automatically mean that you can start doing it for weight loss. We are seeing clinics promising seemingly miraculous results, more than 10 liters (10,000 cc's) painlessly under local anesthesia with no downtime. Extreme... more

There are differences of opinion about this however, I subscribe to the belief that 5000 cc's is the maximum amount you should take in one setting.  No way should you be trying to take off 10 pounds.  Liposuction is for contouring, not weight loss!