Does each state have their own limit or law to how much Plastic Surgeons can Liposuction?

5000 cc's (5 liters) is the guideline limit for outpatient liposuction for many states including California. For smaller patients with more areas for liposuction removing less fat may be safer.

             This is typically limited to 5 liters in the outpatient setting in most states.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of liposuction procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.

Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

As of this writing the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommend that 5 liters is the limit for extraction in an outpatient setting.  Each patient is different.  Best to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for an evaluation.

The guide lines for the American Society of Plasty Surgery is 5 liters of both fat and fluid. I agree fully with these limits. The complication rate rises dramatically in high volume liposuctions, and these are not complications that either the doctor or patient should assume. If a patient want more, they can come back  for a second liposuction when things have stabilized. Actually 5 liters is a lot of fat. If one needs more perhaps they may need a tummy tuck. A consultation with your plastic surgeon would be the best idea to come up with the best procedure for you.

Good question. Thank you.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends limiting outpatient liposuction to 5 liters or less.  It is possible to do more, but the patient should be in a monitored setting at least overnight.  Also, prevention of DVT, or blood clots in the legs is very important

In an office setting the plastic surgery societty recommends to limit it to 5 liters of total fat.  High volume liposuction is probably better performed in a monitored hospital setting.

Most board certified plastic surgeons, including me, follow the American Society of Plastic Surgery guidelines concerning liposuction.  These guidelines STRONGLY encourage us to remove no more than 5000 cc of fat and fluid during one liposuction procedure. All surgery comes with risk.  In addition to bleeding and infection, liposuction can result in serious electrolyte imbalances - especially when too much is removed in one setting.  Liposuction is a great tool for body contouring, but it is not a weight loss tool.