After Liposuction, What Do They Do with the Fat Removed from Your Body?

Question

I always wondered... After liposuction, what do they do with the fat removed from your body, or the skin? Is it actually good for someone skinny, or good for anything? Thanks!

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

The fat is either discarded, or purified and re-injected elsewhere as graft material for volume restoration or augmentation. Adult fat contains stem cells, which may also be cryopreserved for possible future use to treat illness.

Francis X. Fleming, MD · Answer

After liposuction procedures the fat is disposed of by a waste disposal company that handles medical waste.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

The fat removed is safely disposed of. However, it may also be processed and reinjected as is the case with a brazilian butt lift.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

In the movie "Fat Club" they use it to make soap!.  But in the real world, it is discarded as medical waste.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

Who is the "they"? Just kidding.

	The surgical facility should dispose of the fat as per protocol for medical waste. It is collected by a medical waste disposal company, processed (destroyed/incinerated) and then disposed of.

After Liposuction, What Do They Do with the Fat Removed from Your Body?

Answers (5)