Fat removal volume for Breast Reduction and Liposuction?

I'm getting a Breast Reduction of 1 kg done at the same time of Liposuction to upper and lower abs, flanks, and outer thighs. I'm supposed to be under general for 5 hours. Based on the max volume for Liposuction, should my doctor remove less fat from my areas if she is already removing 1 kg from my breasts? Should I split the surgeries to be in a safer side and get more fat removed with the surgery for Liposuction alone? Thanks.

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12 answers to “Fat removal volume for Breast...”

A: time for surgery

Trevor M. Born, MD

Dear Ms. Danicomia The length and extent of your surgery needs to be dicsussed with your surgeon. You have to make the decision based on the information that is given and move forward with conficence.  As you can see from the replies there is not one correct answer.  Sometimes you have to go with... more

A: If you are fairly young and healthy overall, it is probably safe

Lane Smith, MD

The safety of any surgery depends on many factors, including but not limited to, your general level of health, your weight, the procedures performed and the skill of the surgeons and anesthesiologists etc. Generally, a well-trained meticulous surgeon can safely perform the liposuction and breast reduction... more

A: Your fat removal concerns are justified

Robert M. Freund, MD

I try to limit surgical time to four hours or less. I use this number for several reasons.  1. Any human being starts to get tired and in my own hands, I start to rush after that time. 2. As the length of the case goes up, so does your risk for blood clots in your legs. The risks go up even higher after... more

A: Breast Reduction with Multiple Area Liposuction

James C. Grotting, MD

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,... more

A: If your OK to wait, I think it is a good idea.

Thomas T. Nguyen, MD

Most often, we combine procedures for the convenience of the patient.  Part of the cost of the procedure is the time off from work and all of your normal activities.  So we often do as much as we feel is safe to give you the most benefit from your time off and let you recover one time instead of... more

A: Total Volume is What Matters

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Studies have shown that liposuction is safe with aspirates up to 5 liters.  This is based on infusion volumes and the medications that are put into the tumescent solution.  So it's safe as long as the amount of local anesthetic is in the safe range for the case.  It is possible that your surgeon... more

A: These combined procedures are acceptably safe for most patients.

George J. Beraka, MD

Hi! 1) If you are young, healthy, and of reasonably normal weight, you can have these operations done together.  Five hours is acceptable, and of course, the surgery should be done either in a hospital or an accredited facility. 2) The amount of tissue removed during breast reduction is not a separate... more

A: Procedures combined with major liposuction compound risks

Peter E. Johnson, MD

It is well known that longer procedure times do increase the risks of cosmetic surgery, such as higher infection rates, and risk of venous thromboembolism. Also in the case with liposuction the fluid shifts due to swelling in treated areas also pose significant risks to a smooth recovery. In the state of... more

A: Breast reduction and liposuction

Brent Moelleken, MD

Breast reduction and liposuction together have higher complication rates than if both surgeries are performed separately.  However, there are recent studies suggesting that the complication rate may be acceptably low. It is certainly a judgment call and an issue for the patient to weigh carefully, the... more

A: Are you thin, or not so?

Brian K. Brzowski, MD

So much about the safety of combining these procedures depends upon how much fat will be removed during the liposuction phase of the procedure, and how much blood loss occurs during the excision. If you have a lot of fat to remove from the abdomen/flanks and thighs, you should think about doing the procedures... more

More answers to Fat removal volume for Breast Reduction and Liposuction?
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Comments

Danicomia
7 posts
30 Apr 2009

Doctors thanks a lot for your answers. I do have confidence in my doctor. My reservations come from the fact that I am 45, no smoker, 20 lbs heavier that I should be for 5'3 and I have PVCs. I have had hard time on coming out from anesthesia IV sedation in the past, it worries that being under general anesthesia for 5 hrs. + tumescent for 2 hrs for the lipo may result in toxicity or too much fluid shifting. I am spending the night at the Surgical Center due to my BR, but I'm still concerned that my Dr may not be able to get most of the fat out due to be pressed of time (2 hrs) or/and that the max amount removed may be too much for my frame as the BR is already taking volume. Thanks.

Danicomia
7 posts
1 Jun 2009

Dear Doctors, I do want to thank you for all your input. Most of you were on the money of how it would be after surgery about the fluid imbalance. I did have a harsh recovery, passed out about 5 times after walking up from a 6 hours, due to the fluid imbalance and was helped by 2 nurses all night. I believe having a strong heart due to my treadmill routine, helped me a lot to be able to deal with 4 days of a constant heart rate of 120 and a very high blood pressure due to a lot of fluid in me. I appreciate your help and I think all what I read from you before going under was very helpful for me to stay calm and not to panic. My doctor and her staff have been extremely helpful and I do believe they always have their patients wellbeing as priority and I think they did a wonderful work on me. I'm posting this update just to let you Doctors know that your answers are extremely helpful to anybody considering surgery. Thanks!

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