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?

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by ms8172 in Indiana

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It is best to remove the fat.

It is best to remove the liquified fat after laser assisted liposuction. Leaving the devitalized fat behind runs the risk of fat necrosis and the development of lumps and bumps. While your body would likely resorb most of the fat, it is not a good idea to take a chance. David Shafer, MD New York City

It is recommended that you get much better results!

Cynosure Inc. the laser company that actually manufactures the "Smartlipo MPX" (the newest, top-of-the-line, dual laser Smartlipo) recommends that by suctioning you should get much better results! Many doctors do not suction and many do. Best to check with your surgeon if you want to achieve your optimal results. That is our opinion as well. I have a dual board certified Plastic Surgeon in my office (with 15 years of experience), in Ft Lauderdale FL that performs all of our Smartlipo... more

The fat treated by Smart Lipo (laser lipolysis) is best removed by suctioning.

You have asked a very good question. It is best to remove the fat that has been liquefied by Smart Lipo (laser lipolysis) as well as other forms of liposuction. Historically, the early users of Smart Lipo experienced suboptimal results by not suctioning and extracting the majority of the treated fat. And, the reasons are simple. The laser has ‘melted’ the fat cells and its contents. In reasonable small amounts the body is able to process and remove the cellular debris and... more

It will be resorbed

You mentioned that your doctor did carry out liposuctioning after the Smartlipo. Any residual liquified fat that was not suctioned out will simply be resorbed so you do not need to worry. david berman board certified plastic surgeon

You should not leave dead tissue behind

Dead tissue left behind from surgery is generally eaten up by the body by macrophages or walled off as a granuloma (firm permanent lump). The process of removal of this tissue involves inflammation. The mediators of inflammation cause pain and lumpiness ( temporary and sometimes permanent) and scarring, and prolong the healing (and therefore recovery) process. While it is true that scarring can cause tightening of the tissue, the process of scarring can also cause contracture, or... more

Liquefied fat

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... more

Liquified fat is aspirated to prevent collections of fluid/blood; this can interfere w/ healingconto

Liquified fat is aspirated to prevent collections of fluid and or blood; these collections can interfere w/ healing and the ultimate body/facial contour. Also, this permits the skin to 'stick" to the underlying base of the tissue below the fat. The drape of skin can then mold to the underlying fascia and musle, giving the resulf a more sculpted appearance. Christine Petti, M.D.

Smart Lipo and Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction: Cavitation and Liquefaction of fat

Laser or ultrasound assisted liposuction causes fat cell destruction. The fat cells are composed of a lipid bilayer and the lipids are metabolized and removed from the body. This means that it will take additional time for you to see the final result.

Best to be removed

Liquified fat is removed during liposuction that is performed by VASER or Laser lipolysis. Obviously it is impossible to remove every last drop. Therefore, some of it will be naturally absorbed by the body and processed by the liver and kidneys.

Steven Wallach, MD

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Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Smarttlipo results

With any type of liposuction procedure some fat will be left behind. Your body is very efficient at removing small amounts of fat without problems. In fact new technologies like liposonix use ultrasound to liquefy the fat under the skin and rely on your body reabsorbing it over the next weeks. No surgery, no incisions.