How Much Fat Weight Can Be Removed by Liposuction?

Posted May 31, 2024 in Body Procedures

While many people may know that liposuction is meant to put the finishing touches on your hard-earned physique, some mistake it for a way to lose weight. This blog discusses liposuction and how much weight can be lost with this procedure.

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Liposuction and Weight Loss

When you’ve spent time and energy working towards a toned and defined body, fighting against fat that refuses to budge can be frustrating. Liposuction surgery is consistently one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. every year because of its ability to smooth and contour “problem areas” on your body. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it was the number one cosmetic surgery in 2023, with close to 350,000 liposuction procedures performed. While many people may know that liposuction is meant to put the finishing touches on your hard-earned physique, some mistake it for a method of weight loss.

Liposuction is not a weight-loss method but rather a body contouring procedure. In fact, liposuction is most effective for individuals who are close to their ideal weight but have stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Dr. Hadeed specializes in body contouring in Beverly Hills, offering liposuction for men and women who wish to trim and tone their physique.

Is Liposuction a Good Way to Lose Weight?

Liposuction is a fantastic tool for eliminating excess fat and shaving inches off your body; however, it is not a weight loss method. Various factors play into weight loss, including lifestyle, genetics, and age. Everyone carries their weight differently, so while some people may lose their weight in their stomachs, others may lose it more quickly in their buttocks. There is no way to “spot reduce” when losing weight, which is where liposuction comes in. Liposuction is designed to put the finishing touches on your figure, reducing the amount of fat in areas where your body tends to store it in higher amounts.

Liposuction is often effectively combined with other body contouring procedures, including abdominoplasty and Mommy Makeovers.

How Much Weight Can I Lose With Liposuction?

While liposuction is a great way to refine your curves, what it does not do is significantly affect how much you weigh. Most surgeons agree that the maximum amount of fat that can be safely removed in one liposuction surgery is approximately five liters or eleven pounds. Dr. Hadeed will determine the amount of fat he can safely remove based on your body composition and other factors (see below).

The area you’re targeting for liposuction also affects the amount of fat removed. Someone getting liposuction on the abdomen or hips will likely have more fat to remove in that area than someone getting it done on their upper arms.

What Determines the Amount of Fat That Can Be Safely Removed With Liposuction?

When it comes to plastic surgery, your safety should always be your surgeon’s number one concern. That’s why there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the amount of fat considered “safe” for removal. Some of the factors that determine how much fat can be removed during your liposuction surgery include:

Your Health and BMI: Your overall weight and body mass index (BMI) are considerations. Patients with a higher BMI may be able to safely undergo liposuction, but they must be in good health with no underlying conditions that could complicate the procedure.
The Treatment Area(s): The area(s) of the body being treated also affects how much fat can be removed. Larger areas like the abdomen and thighs can allow for more fat removal than smaller areas like the arms or neck.
The Surgeon’s Expertise: Your surgeon’s experience and skill play a significant role in determining the safe limits of fat removal. Experienced surgeons can assess the patient’s anatomy and customize the procedure to optimize results while maintaining safety.
Your Aesthetic Goals: Your desired outcome is also a consideration. Having realistic expectations and open communication with your surgeon can help determine the appropriate amount of fat removal to achieve the desired contour without compromising safety.

Considering these factors helps your surgeon determine how much fat liposuction can remove safely while providing your desired results. Overly aggressive liposuction can not only put you at risk for complications during surgery and recovery, but it can also leave you with lumps, bumps, asymmetries, and other unsatisfactory results.

Do I Have to Be a Certain Weight to Undergo Liposuction?

There is no specific weight you need to reach to undergo liposuction; however, there are guidelines to keep in mind. You will want to be at a stable weight, ideally within 30 pounds of your goal weight. While you don’t have to be at a “perfect” weight to undergo body contouring, you do have to be healthy and in overall good medical condition to safely undergo surgery of any kind.

Does Liposuction Also Tighten My Skin?

Liposuction performed alone does not tighten your skin. However, Dr. Hadeed is the first plastic surgeon in the U.S. to offer TriDef® Liposculpting, a three-step process to sculpt and contour your body. TriDef® Liposculpting does more than just remove excess fat. It is designed to truly sculpt your body, emphasizing the shadows and lines of your body to achieve the optimal physical appearance.

Dr. Hadeed first uses VASER liposuction and power-assisted liposuction to eliminate stubborn fat pockets and then tightens the surrounding skin using Renuvion®. Renuvion® sends radiofrequency energy deep underneath the skin’s surface, heating the tissue, which causes collagen fibers to contract and your skin to tighten. He also utilizes the fat transfer procedure to further refine your curves and physique, adding subtle volume where necessary to shape and contour for maximum results.

Learn More About Liposuction in Beverly Hills

When you’re tired of battling the bulges keeping you from your ideal body shape, it’s time to consider liposuction. To schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Josef Hadeed to discuss whether traditional liposuction or his TriDef® Liposculpting procedure is right for you, call (310) 970-2940 or complete our online contact form.