How Much Fat Can Liposuction Remove?

Liposuction is a very effective procedure that removes stubborn, localized pockets of fat. This procedure is most beneficial for smaller areas of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise changes. One important consideration is that liposuction is not appropriate as a solution for overall weight loss.

Liposuction vs Weight Loss

When you lose weight through diet, you cannot control where the fat loss comes from or how that fat loss affects the shape of your body. For example, some people gain and lose weight in their abdominal areas first, while others find that their hips or buttocks are most affected by changes in weight. Even with exercise, which can tone and strengthen areas, you cannot fully control the contours of your body or fat distribution.

However, our liposuction procedure is different in that it gives Dr. Basu the ability to physically sculpt the area he is working on. That’s why the expertise of your liposuction surgeon is so essential. Lipo is not simply about ‘sucking out fat’ for a leaner look. Instead, it is about using localized fat removal to create the most aesthetically appealing look to that area of the body, which can affect your entire silhouette. In many cases, liposuction that removes a few pounds of fat may have a greater effect than overall weight loss of several times that amount.

How Liposuction Works

First, Dr. Basu will ensure that you are resting comfortably, either with sedation for smaller areas of lipo, or with general anesthesia for more extensive liposuction. He will also numb the area before inserting a thin tube called a cannula. The cannula allows him to remove fat gently and carefully, while creating flattering contours.

On average, Dr. Basu does not plan to remove more than 2 – 4 liters of fat. In the case where someone only has their upper arms treated, they may have less fat removed. In the case where someone has their abdomen, hips, and thighs treated, they may be at the upper end of the limits for removal. For context, 2 liters of fat weighs about 4.4 pounds. Another major consideration for how much fat liposuction can remove is your starting weight. Specifically, for someone who is a size 4 with a weight of 110 pounds, it is more likely that we will remove under 5 pounds of fat. Conversely, for someone who is a size 10 with a weight of 180, there may be more fat that we can safely and effectively remove.

How Much Fat Will Dr. Basu Remove with Lipo?

The question of “how much fat can liposuction remove” can be answered at your consultation, but keep in mind this is not the full story. One patient may have 6 pounds of fat removed by a less skilled surgeon, and have a much less positive result than someone who has 3 pounds of fat removed by Dr. Basu. The art and science of liposuction move far beyond the amount of fat removed, into the importance of the contours that are created during this delicate procedure. Please contact us for a consultation, where Dr. Basu can estimate how much fat he recommends for removal during liposuction.