Liquefied fat

Steven H. Williams, MD answers: What happens when liquefied fat is not suctioned out?

I just had tumescent Smart Lipo done on my abdomen and a male breast reduction. The doctor suctioned out the liquefied fat after using the laser. If the excess fat was not suctioned out, what happens?


Steven H. Williams, MD
11 months ago
By Steven H. Williams, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction techniques like ultrasonic or laser transmit energy to the fat to liquefy it. Once this fat is liquefied the body treats it as something to get rid of. If it is not removed then it becomes the body's job to get rid of it.

Now it is impossible to remove every last bit of devitalized fat with liposuction (or any other technique) and the body is quite good at "cleaning up" small volumes of devitalized tissue spread throughout a wide area. The problem could come if there were collections of devitalized fat. This could lead to scar (lumps, bumps, contracture and change in shape long term) or infection (devitalized tissue is an excellent medium for bacteria).

I hope this helps.

Steven Williams, MD

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