Does lipo take remove fat cells even when they are 'shrunk' or do they need to be full for it to remove the cell permanently?

Hello and thank you for your question. The absolute number of cells removed from a given area might differ, as removing larger cells would require less of them to be removed to achieve a given volume decrease compared to smaller ones. Lipo isn’t that selective. I would suggest to be close to your goal weight at a the time of surgery,  then plan on a 5-7 lbs final weight loss after your procedure. The thinner you are the better, since lipo is a contouring procedure and it is designed to make your normal contours come out from beneath the fat. 

It really doesn't matter if cells are "fat" or 'thin", the liposuction technique removes all of them. It's like cutting down a field of grain, everything goes. So you don't have to do anything different with respect to your weight gain or loss.  The thinner you are the better, since lipo is a contouring procedure and it is designed to make your normal contours come out from beneath the fat. 

Liposuction destroys or reduces the population of fat cells in a treated area. These cells once gone are gone for good. One of the most important decisions a patient must make is the selection of the best board certified plastic surgeon to perform the liposuction procedure. Beyond this, the final result is largely the result of adherence to postoperative protocols to prevent complications that can largely be avoided.

Dear  holiday81,
Liposuction is a procedure which removes the excess fat tissue from desired areas. It doesn't matter if your cells are full or "shrunk". You should reach your goal weight prior to surgery in order to get the best results. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

There is so much misconception out there. So here is a great opportunity. First, please see a lipo specialist. Most surgeons do 20 a year, see someone who does at least 10 a week. Overall, the better shape you are going into surgery the better you will be coming out. Secondly the goal is to remove as many fat cellls as possible but maintain a thin natural look (we leave about 4mm of fat under the skin to allow a smooth result). Using technology such as vaser melts all the fat so the size of the cells do not matter!