Maximum amount of fat that can be removed safely during a tummy tuck and liposuction? (photo)

There is not a correct answer that is applicable to all patents.  Every patient is different and procedure really needs to be customized to each patient based on their anatomy, their BMI and their health status.  There are some underlying principles which other doctors have already mentioned such as liposuction should not be viewed as a weight loss substitute and this is very true.  Liposuction is used for contouring.  Tummy Tuck is used to remove skin, to tighten the underlying muscles and the remove some excess fat and contour the body.  To achieve the best result, you really need to work on achieving a realistic weight balance prior to surgery.  Additionally, all procedures do not need to be performed at once.  For instance.  A tummy tuck tuck can be performed followed later by a buttocks lift and liposuction.  Patient safety should always be the #1 priority.

When it comes to your safety, I agree that this should be paramount.  I think you have to trust the judgment of your surgeon.  I limit body procedures to about 4 hours, and I think that there is such a thing as too much at one time.Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy tuck 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

Plastic
surgeons in the U.S. tend to be more conservative than those in many
other countries, you are right about that. Limits we observe are for
patient safety, first and foremost. For instance, doing more than one
procedure at a time is generally quite safe, but as the other doctors
have noted, when you go beyond 4-5 hours "on the table," the risk of
complications increases. There's just no reason to do that when it
comes to elective surgery.

We
also limit how aggressive we are to ensure great results and patient
comfort. If a cosmetic surgeon suctions vast quantities of fat at a
time, the prospect of irregular hills and valleys--not to mention saggy
skin--is a real possibility. That's one reason liposuction is viewed as
a body contouring procedure rather than a weight loss solution. And
many of us prefer not to do cosmetic surgery on too many areas at once
even if everything can all be accomplished withinabout a 5-hour window--after all, if areas of your front and back
sides are healing at the same time, how will you rest easily after
surgery?
It
can be tempting to travel to another country when you are hoping for a
big impact. But reputable, board certified plastic surgeons in the U.S.
really do have
ALL your best interests at heart.Elliot Jacobs, M.D.New York Plastic Surgeon