Is it safe to have full body liposuction?

Question

Is it safe to have full body liposuction? I have a surgery date coming in May to have liposuction performed on my inner thighs, outer thighs, front of thighs and back of thighs, including stomach, back, flanks, and bra line. Surgery would take about 3 hours.

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

Hi there! That is a great question. The maximum amount of fat that can safely be removed with liposuction in one session is between six to eight pounds (three to four liters).
So to answer your question, yes, if guidelines are followed, this is safe.

Reminder that liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss procedure!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether it’s safe to have liposuction of the inner, outer, front, and back thighs and the abdomen and the back. Safety is multifactorial. Before your surgery, I would highly suggest your internist clear you. That means your internal medicine doctor or general practitioner will closely examine you and ensure it’s safe to perform the surgery. Multiple labs, EKGs, and x-rays should be obtained to provide your heart and lungs are healthy. If all of these are normal and your internist and plastic surgeon feels confident, I think the procedure can be made safe. Intraoperative concerns would be the application of sequential compression devices to minimize the clots and early ambulation after the surgery. In addition, I would suggest the compression garment be worn for a good 6-8 weeks and for you to have lymphatic massages for several weeks, approximately two weeks after a liposuction procedure. Antibiotics should also be given for about one week. All in all, liposuction is generally a safe procedure and a healthy patient. Thank you for your question regarding the safety of liposuction.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. For a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), we inject the fat into the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face. Cellulite should also be treated with a combination of QWO or Cellfina, subcision, and/or fillers such as Bellafill, Renuva synthetic fat, or Sculptra. If skin is very loose before surgery, then it will need to be removed: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin.

Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Philosophical85412,
some plastic surgeons may want to split this into two operations depending on the time needed. Its best to see a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine your options and whether it would take too long, more than 4 hours, to do all.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Michael Ablavsky, MD · Answer

Great question. Various liposuction techniques exist including how much fluid is infiltrated prior to the suction part. The infiltration fluid has medication called lidocaine which helps control pain but may cause toxicity is high volumes are used. In addition to lidocaine one must also consider the large fluid shifts that can occur. In addition to fat removal, liposuction has a component of blood lose. These are all factors to keep in mind when undergoing safe liposuction.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Each state has office surgery limitations rules to amount of liposuction allowed to be preformed in an office surgery setting. In Florida the max is 4 liters of supernatant fat removal or 8.8 pounds! Sounds like your "full body liposuction" is but a dream not reality. You failed to state you height & weight or BMI, plus no posted photos??

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you are healthy and the amount of fat removed isn't too high this should be safe.  The three hours of surgical time is considered within a safe time frame.  I encourage you to speak to your surgeon about the risks and benefits of doing these areas in one stage.  She/He is most familiar with the details of your surgery and health history.

S. Darrell Lee, MD · Answer

We recommend a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for your procedure. Hopefully you have had a consultation with the Dr and you feel comfortable with he/she & their office and they can ease your mind about having this procedure.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Three hour liposuction is safe on a healthy individual with a normal blood count.  The surgical area is large and does have fluid shift concerns, but the projected areas are not out of the ordinary. 
Best wishes 
Dr. Taranow

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

It is safe to have liposuction done on these areas as long as you have consulted a board certified plastic surgeon and you are sure they understand your goals. The Gold Standard for superior liposuction results requires use of the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I perform full body liposuction cases every week. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently resulted in outstanding liposuction outcomes. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of degree of excess fat by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. If skin redundancy is observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Is it safe to have full body liposuction?

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