How much exactly is 1600 CCs? I just got Smart Lipo. I haven’t seen my doc yet but that’s how much the nurse said was taken out.

You will need to ask the doctor or nurse if the 1600 cc was it fat or total volume removed.  During Lipo, a combination of fat and tumescent solutions removed.  Some doctors like myself will let the patient know the exact amount of fat removed because thats what most patients care about.  Case an point, if a surgeon tells you they removed 5000cc, but only 1500 cc of it was fat it may not be as impressive as 5000cc removed and 3500cc of fat.  Speak with your doctor and they will let you know!

Whenever lipo is conducted, the suction machine collects the aspirated fat/fluid combo into a cannister. Two volumes are routinely measured: the total volume of combined fat + fluid, and the total volume of fat. 1600cc means nothing without knowing which of these two volumes the nurse was referring to.

I always answer questions on this site about how much was removed and if it was a "good" amount. This is not important since this number is heavily influenced by how much fluid the surgeon (hopefully a board certified plastic surgeon!!!) placed before starting the Smartlipo. What counts is how much fat is left behind!!! Also much more benefit comes from Smartlipo than comes from the amount of fat/fluid removed at the time of surgery. I have found in doing about 800 Smartlipo cases that the benefit is usually much greater than one would expect by the amount of fat removed. remember you will continue to improve for 6 months after surgery.!!!Remember too, it is a partnership between you and the surgeon. He/She can reduce fat in the specific areas treated but you will always get a better final result, if you can improve your diet and exercise and decrease your total body fat.david berman md

The best way I have found to explain fat volumes to my patients is to relate it to an average bottle of water which is approximately 500 mL. So if you had 1600 mL removed, it’s about the equivalent of three bottles of water. Great question!
Wishing you all the best!
Windell Davis Boutte’, MD