Fat removal volume for Breast Reduction and Liposuction?

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

Dear Dani, I like your thinking.  You are obviously safety minded and believe me, a surgeon REALLY appreciates it when the patient is the one concerned about their own safety.  However, you should not mix apples and oranges.  Fat removal from breast reduction is not the same as fat... more

You are very intuitive as it concerns your surgery and I wish all patients were as like-minded with as much attention toward safety as you are. In general, most surgeons should, and do, put a patient's safety as a top priority but each has his or her own criteria to judge safety. Length of surgery is one... more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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