Can a Doctor Remove More Than 5 Liters of Fat from a Patient Without Admitting the Patient into a Hospital?

Question

I was told that if a doctor removes more than 5 liters of fat from a patient he/she has to admit the patient into a hospital. How would that work in instances of fat grafting for buttock enhancement. If a patient is 25 lbs above her ideal weight, couldn't 5 liters of fat be grafted from just one area, i.e., the abdomen? How then is the doctor able to produce optimal results with such limitations especially since most physicians perform these surgeries on an outpatient basis?

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

Here in Florida, the limit is actually only 4 litres of "floating fat" which can be removed as an outpatient, or just a mere 1 litre if the liposuction is combined with another procedure.  But for most people, a 4 litre liposuction gives a pretty dramatic result.

Mathew C. Mosher, MD · Answer

The limit of 5 litres of fat removal is a guideline for improving safety with outpatient surgery. Large reviews of complications with liposuction identified more problems when more than 5 litres of fat was removed without admission to hospital. Determining how much fat to remove and achieving optimal contours in a safe manner requires exceptional judgement and proper qualifications. Having any liposuction procedure performed in a fully accredited ambulatory surgery facility is also essential for improving safety and outcomes.

	Although large amounts of fat can be transferred successfully, outcomes are less predictable and risks are higher with larger fat transfers. In many cases where a large amount of fat is required to achieve the desired result, more than one procedure may be necessary and safer. Removing 5 litres of fat from a single area would be unusual and unwise.

	Next time you buy milk, take note of the size and weight of a 2 litre carton!

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The limit of 5 liters of liposuction on an outpatient basis came from a critical review of factors that were responsible for complications. About 15 years ago there were increasing reports of very serious complications including deaths after liposuction, so the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (both societies consist of board-certified plastic surgeons) put together a task force, which determined that high volume lipo - more than 5 liters - was the main cause.  Safety is the bottom line.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

The whole idea of Buttock Enhancement is not just injecting as much fat as possible in the buttocks.

	It involves removal of fat around the buttock area to reshape the body, and the buttock area and then do the fat transfer.

	The rule of liposuction of only 5 liters, is just a recommendation and not a hard set rule. It is also 5 liters of oure fat, that means a total aspirate, fat and fluid of about 7-10 liters, depending on the amount of fluid used for the liposuction (wet or super wet ).

Richard Ellenbogen, MD (retired) · Answer

This is the amount the state of California recommends. It is a limit to add safety to the operation. Some feel it is arbitrary ut many feel it does represent a clever maximum

Can a Doctor Remove More Than 5 Liters of Fat from a Patient Without Admitting the Patient into a Hospital?

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Answer: Brazilian Butt Enhancement

Answer: Brazilian Butt Enhancement

Answer: 5 liter limit

Answer: 5 liter limit

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Can a Doctor Remove More Than 5 Liters of Fat from a Patient Without Admitting the Patient into a Hospital?

Answers (5)

Answer: Brazilian Butt Enhancement

Answer: Brazilian Butt Enhancement

Answer: 5 liter limit

Answer: 5 liter limit

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.