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How Many Areas Can You Treat in One Liposuction Session?

asked 2 years ago by goddesscomplex in Chicago, IL
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 2,040 times
Tags: back, flanks, hips, waist, abs, safety

I know there is a limit on a safe amount (about 5 liters) to be taken out in every session of Liposuction. However, does it matter how many areas it comes from? For instance, can you do waist, abs, hips and back/flanks in one session?

16 answers to How Many Areas Can You Treat in One Liposuction Session?

How many areas can be treated in 1 Liposuction session

Generally, 3-4 areas can be done in the average patient at 1 liposuction surgery which would cover the abdomen, hips and sides. The recommendation (not absolute limit) of 5 liters does not apply, often because the amount of local anesthetic of lidocaine tumescent solution to anesthetize the areas becomes the limiting factor, since you want to stay under 55 mg/kg lidocaine concentration; and on a thin patient, it still takes a lot of lidocaine to anesthetize multiple areas, so you may... more

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Limits associated with liposuction

In addition to the amount of fat removed, there is a limit to how much anesthetic is used. This differs from patient to patient based on weight, age and prescription and non-prescription medications that are taken every day as may affect the metabolism of the anesthetic. The surgeon examines you and evaluates the amount of fat in each area that interests you for liposuction, and takes the other variables into consideration. It might be possible for you to have all those areas done, but you... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Liposuction safety and areas of treatment

For outpatient liposuction, 5 Liters of fat is considered the maximum amount that can be safely removed in one session. During that session, several different areas can be addressed, from one area up to four or five. However, if a patient is requesting or needs many areas (>5), one must give serious consideration to the patient perhaps losing more weight prior to the liposuction surgery. Some patients are under the false impression the liposuction is a means for them to lose weight; this... more

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction areas

Yes, you should be able to safely undergo liposuction of multiple areas in one sitting providing that you are staying under the limit of 5 liters of aspirate (material suctioned out). As my colleagues have already mentioned liposuction is a great tool of contouring small areas that are resistant to weight loss. It is not uiseful as a means of losing weight. Good luck, /nsn.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction is for contouring and not weight loss

Liposuction is ideal for healthy patients who are stable in their weight and exercise habits and have a localized area of fatty collection that has been resistant to their diet and exercise. It is not meant for weight loss. 5 liters is the standard limit for minimizing your risks. However, that does not mean that you should take out as much as possible just because you are having surgery. Contour deformity which is difficult to correct becomes more common with larger/wider areas and with... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction- How many areas safely?

Assuming you have maximized your attempts at weight loss with diet and exercise then it may make sense for you to proceed. The areas you mention-waist, abs, hips, back/flanks can be treated in one session in some patients . If your are healthy then up to 5 liters of aspirate, may be safe to do as an out-patient procedure.

John E. Gross, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction Limits

The official position of the American Society of Liposuction Surgery is: "Liposuction surgery, using the tumescent technique, has been demonstrated to be safe for the routine removal of volumes up to 5,000 mL (supranatant fat). Volumes exceeding 5,000 mL should be removed in select patients without co?morbidities in an approved operating facility. Recommended maximum volumes should be modified based on the number of body areas operated on, the percentage of body weight removed... more

Richard L. Dolsky, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction and quantity

Like you mentioned, about 5 liters is the limit. It really does not matter which areas it comes from. Focus on the areas of biggest concern. You can always have it repeated.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction Limits

Yes, the number of areas really is not that much of a concern as far as safety goes. The limit is 5 L for outpatient liposuction procedures. Now having said that, the more areas you have treated the more areas that will be sore. So you have to think about that as well. Hope that helps.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction Limitations

You are correct. The recommended safe amount of liposuction is 5 liters at any one time. It doesn't matter how many areas the aspirate comes from.

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Limits to number of liposuction treatment areas?

Liposuction is essentially intended for LOCALIZED fatty depsits. With that in mind if you are considering liposuction for more than 2 or 3 areas, you may derive better resutls from weight loss. The number of areas to be treated is the result of reviewing several factors including volume of fat (5 liters is a typical upper limit), overall health, age, skin laxity, etc. However, these are generalizations and there is great variablity in the surgeon's choice and the patient's tolerances. more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction

Dear Goddesscomplex, multiple areas can be treated at the same surgery. The limit by the standard of our professional society ASAPS is 5 Litres, or a US 1.5 gallons. Generally there is minimal discomfort with proper surgical preparation and mobilization after surgery. The main concern for patients after surgery is the leaking of the tumescent fluid from the incision sites- this goes for about 24 hrs so that your furniture etc must be protected. With Warm Regards, Trevor M Born MD more

Trevor M. Born, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction safety

This is an excellent question for which there are many answers. Part of the answer has to do with a patient's health and the ability to withstand anesthesia, blood loss, intravascular volume changes and healing potential. Assuming you are talking about a normal healthy person, safety depends on what complication or danger you are referring to. Keeping a patient in one position on an operating table can lead to pressure injuries and blood clot, regardless of the type of surgery being... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Many areas can be treated in one Liposuction sessions

There is really no limit to the number of areas. Most surgeons would factor in the time and volume aspirate more than a given number of areas to determine whether the procedures should be staggered. Suctionin the abdomen, flanks, back and hips is commonly done in one session. Suctioning 5 liters of fat from anyone is a large amount and probably means the patient is not an "ideal" candidate for liposuction. The irony of liposuction is that the best results are in the thinnest patients. more

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

How many areas can have liposuction safely?

As you correctly pointed out, out-patient liposuction is generally limited to 5000cc. It does not matter how many areas this encompasses. It is the total volume that is important. Hope this helps. Tracy M. Pfeifer, MD, MS

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Many areas possible for Liposuction

You are correct. The limit is 5 liters but many areas could be treated safely in one surgical session. From previous experience if someone need all these areas, the amount liposuctioned could exceed 5 liters and it could be wise to divide the procedure. Hope that helps!