How Much Fat Can Be Removed During Laser Liposuction?

asked 3 years ago by tori1978 in dallas
Latest answer by Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
Question viewed 15,611 times
Tags: abdomen, arms, back, bra line, chin, hips, knees, legs, belly, fat, fat reduction, removal

Hello. I'm interested in Cool Lipo but I want to know what's the most fat that can be removed at one time? Is there a standard limit, like 20 lbs. or less, or can I have as much fat removed as I want? I want to have my abdominals and back "done." Thanks for your expertise.

7 answers to How Much Fat Can Be Removed During Laser Liposuction?

Limit of laser liposuction fat removal - 5L of lipoaspirate

Laser liposuction begins with the infiltration of fluid into the tissues. This provides both a means for pain control as well as to decrease blood loss. Then the laser device is used to apply energy directly to the fat and skin but done internally. This allows the fat to melt prior to being aspirated out. Once the laser energy is delivered, it is suctioned out. The mixture of fat and infiltration fluid (tumescent solution) is called the lipoaspirate. You... more

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Laser liposuction removes fat pockets and promotes lipolysis

Laser and ultrasound assisted liposuction is superior to regular liposuction, in that it not only removes excess body stores by aspiration, but it actually destroys fat cells so that they can be absorbed by the body. So, in reality, it is not the quantity of fat aspirated, but the extent of laser energy generated to destroy fat cells in the body. This will determine final body contour.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

5 Liters is the limit

There are different limits as to what is safe depending if this is to be done as an outpatient or inpatient setting. 5 liters or 5000 cc is the limit that should be done as an outpatient. If you were to stay in the hospital and be on a monitor then this doesnt apply. This is somewhat unrealistic as hospital stays increase the cost tremendously. Therefore, 5 liters is the limit for outpatient liposuction, whether it is lase lipo or conventional. Just as a side note, laser lipo is... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Not more than 5 L per session is removed during Liposuction

Laser lipolysis, ultrasound lipo, power-assisted lipo, and traditional lipo should probably not remove more than 5 Liters of fat in any one setting. Studies have shown that when you remove more than this amount, fluid dynamics in the body changes significantly and some individuals can't handle it.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

A maximum of 5 L per session

Most Board Certified Plastic surgeons will follow the recommendation of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons on this matter: a maximum of 5 L per session (equal to 11 pounds). This is a general advice and should be tailored more by your board certified plastic surgeon depending on body type, weight, height as well as intraoperative findings. Trying to push the limit could be dangerous. Best of luck!

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Maximum of fat removed with Lipo/Laser Lipo

Laser Lipo by itself doesn't remove much fat, but if it is combined with traditional Lipo (What most plastic surgeons are offering) than the limit is the same as that with traditional Lipo alone. In an office setting one should not have more than 5 liters removed in one session. In a certified operating room, more can be taken off safely dependent on the size of the patient. Twenty pounds translates to approximately 10 liters. For the right patient, this is... more

Leif Liu Rogers, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Laser liposuction in the office

Most of my patients who are interested in laser liposuction are interested in the fact that this can be done without general anesthesia. since a patient is not asleep, thorough local anesthetic needs to be given with the tumescent solution that is typically infiltrated prior to the procedure. because there are safety limits to how much local anesthesia can be given at one time, this often limits the amount of liposuction that can be performed. i think laser liposuction... more

Eric Chang, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

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