How many pounds is 4 liters of fat in a liposuction procedure?

Question

The State of Florida only allows 4 liters of fat to be lipo under one procedure, what is the approximate weight of 4 liters?

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

The Florida state limit for liposuction performed in an office setting (there is no such limit for hospital based surgery) is 4 liters of lipoaspirate. A liter (assuming equal fat and water density) is 2.2 lbs. Thus 4 liters is equivalent to 8.8 lbs. However, it is important to remember that lipoaspirate is a not purely fat but rather a combination of fat, tumescent fluid, blood, and miscellaneous aspirated tissue. The fat component may only represent 50% or 4 lbs. of the total.Liposuction is not a means to weight loss. The optimal candidates have reached a healthy stable weight (preferably with a BMI < 30). They have one or more areas that have been resistant to diet and exercise and are in need of contouring. Think of liposuction as a surgeon's sculpting tool or chisel. It is designed for fine detailing not wholesale demolition.Anecdotally speaking, I have rarely (if ever) had to aspirate volumes approaching 4 liters. I would venture to say that those patients in whom high volume liposuction is performed would have perhaps been better served by pre-operative weight loss.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It would be around 7-8 pounds. While liposuction removes fat, it won't decrease weight significantly, because it's a body shaping and contouring procedure. For best results, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Megan Jack, MD · Answer

You are correct! Florida restricts the amount of fat that can be removed in an outpatient liposuction procedure to 4 liters (this doesn't apply to in-hospital surgery).  Patients often ask this question and this isn't surprising.  The answer often is, however.  Most people will only decrease by a few pounds with liposuction procedures.  The reason is, because fat really doesn't weigh too much in that amount.  Your bones and muscle mass (as well as total body water) weight far more than the fat content in your body.  In addition, when we remove fat during liposuction it's a combination of fat, fluid (numbing fluid injected for surgery), and a small amount of blood.  So the actual fat content in the aspirate from liposuction is less than the total volume thus weighs slightly less.  Everyone is swollen after a liposuction procedure so you really can't appreciate results for about 3 months after surgery, maybe longer. I advise all of my patients to steer clear of the scale generally but definitely after surgery for the first 3 months because with all of the swelling, you will likely gain weight temporarily.  It also doesn't pay to purchase or try on new clothes during that initial healing period because they will not fit the same as they will after the swelling resolves.  Finally, it is important to realize that liposuction is NOT weight loss surgery and never will be.  If you are far over your ideal weight, it is important that you try to get as close to your ideal weight as possible prior to surgery.  Liposuction really is surgery to remove problem fat that you have trouble getting rid of through diet and exercise - not an alternative to these.  Patients who go into liposuction surgery with the false impression that they will lose a lot of weight and don't need to adjust their lifestyle choices are set up for disappointment.  Having this surgery is not an excuse to engage in what I like to call the "pizza and ice cream diet"--your body still has fat cells left and will still store the calories that you take in every day in the fat cells that remain.  Patients that are already on a stable, healthy diet and regular exercise regiment tend to have better results and higher satisfaction, as well as more lasting results.  Good luck and please make sure that you are consulting with board-certified plastic surgeons for best recommendations.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Around 6 to 7 pounds. Looking at your posted photos you have excess skin so a Full TT as a second operation would be needed most likely.

Larry Lickstein, MD · Answer

Assuming that fat and water have similar density, then the weight would be 8.8 lbs.  I would caution however, that liposuction is not about weight loss, but rather about contour and silhouettes;  the improvement in form and shape greatly exceeds the decrease in pounds after liposuction.  Consider that most of the images on this site displaying excellent results from liposuction show reductions that are far smaller than 4L.   Consider a consultation with a Board Certified practitioner to discuss the reduction you hope to achieve.

Jon Ver Halen, MD, FACS (license suspended) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Many states have regulations about how much fat and fluid can be suctioned at any one time. 4 liters of fluid, if it consisted totally of water, would be 8.8 pounds. The issue is that the liposuction aspirate is part fluid, part fat. So the true weight of the fat removed is far lower than 8.8 pounds... maybe just 50%. You should discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Liposuction is not necessarily the best way to lose weight. This decision should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.    Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation in person with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!Best,
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS 
 Harvard educated plastic surgeon

How many pounds is 4 liters of fat in a liposuction procedure?

Answers (6)

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