How come only 500cc of fat was taken out during my tummy tuck and lipo 360, with arms and thighs, procedure?

I'm sorry you are unhappy with the amount of fat removed during your procedure. Unfortunately no one on this forum will be able to tell you why. That is a question only your surgeon can answer. When you signed your consent forms it should have listed the areas that were to be suctioned. Your surgeon is not allowed to suction any areas that have not been agreed to in writing, so this may be a starting point to see what areas were to be addressed.

Thank you for your question regarding the amount of fat removed during your tummy tuck and lipo 360 with arms and thighs. Based on your description, it sounds like you were expecting more comprehensive results. Let me clarify a few important considerations that may explain the amount of fat removed and the overall approach to your procedure:

From your description, it sounds like you may not have had a significant amount of fat to begin with. Liposuction is not a weight-loss solution; instead, it is designed for contouring and sculpting. For someone of your height and body composition, the amount of fat available for removal may naturally be limited, especially in leaner patients.

The term "lipo 360" generally refers to circumferential liposuction of the midsection, including the abdomen, flanks, and lower back. However, the exact areas treated can vary between surgeons and procedures. It’s crucial to review the areas specified in your consent form, as this will detail the targeted zones. If certain areas were left untreated, it may have been because they were not included in the surgical plan.

When liposuction is combined with a tummy tuck, there are important limitations due to blood supply considerations. A tummy tuck involves significant surgical manipulation of the abdominal tissues, including muscle repair and skin removal. Aggressive liposuction in the same area can compromise blood flow and increase the risk of complications such as delayed healing, necrosis, or seromas. For this reason, surgeons may remove less fat during combined procedures to prioritize patient safety.

If 500cc of fat was transferred, it suggests that the removed fat was used for a secondary procedure, such as fat grafting. The amount transferred is often limited by the volume of viable fat available and the body’s ability to accept the fat in the recipient site. If your donor areas had minimal fat to begin with, this could also explain why the results appear less dramatic.

If you are unhappy with your results, I recommend scheduling a follow-up consultation with your plastic surgeon to:

Discuss the specific areas targeted during your procedure and review the consent forms to understand what was included.

Clarify whether additional liposuction in untreated areas might be an option for future refinement.
Consider whether a staged approach, addressing other areas in a second procedure, might better achieve your goals.

You might also seek a second opinion from a board-certified plastic surgeon to explore potential revision options. It’s important to communicate your concerns openly to ensure that your goals and expectations align with what’s surgically feasible.

I wish you the best.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

If you have minimal fat and some skin laxity then fat harvest of fat is not a great option. You appear thin to start. Your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon would have gone over all of this. Talk with your doctor, Good Luck!

Hello @JessicaJade84, thank you for your question. Every specialist has his own technique for performing every procedure. Also there will be different possibilities for improvement depending on the vision and approach of the treating physician. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Dear Versatile359164,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery