How Much Fat Can Be Removed by Liposuction?

Even people who lead a healthy lifestyle can struggle with pockets of hard-to-budge fat. Liposuction helps you achieve a slimmer, more sculpted figure. People often ask whether liposuction removes enough fat to help you lose weight. The amount of fat removed with liposuction depends on many factors; this surgery is best thought of as a shaping procedure, not a weight loss procedure. 

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a minimally invasive fat removal procedure that uses a tool called a cannula to break up the fat and suction it out of the body. Dr. Langdon performs tumescent liposuction, a method that uses local anesthesia. Liposuction is a body sculpting tool that allows a skilled surgeon to enhance your figure and target your problem areas. 

How Much Fat Can Be Removed By Liposuction? 

There are no rules that dictate how much fat a surgeon can remove during liposuction. Many organizations recommend a limit of five liters. However, research has indicated that some people can safely have more than five liters of fat removed in a single session of liposuction. Although liposuction removes fat, you should not plan on significant weight loss. Only a consultation with Dr. Langdon can determine the details of your treatment plan. 

How Does Liposuction Work?

Tumescent liposuction uses a large amount of fluid injected into the area before the procedure. This fluid contains local anesthetic diluted in sterile saline. It cushions and protects your tissues, numbs the area, and prevents bleeding. Next, Dr. Langdon inserts a micro-cannula through small skin incisions and uses it to break up fat and suction it away. 

What Areas Can Liposuction Treat?

Liposuction can be done in almost any area of the body where  excess fat has accumulated. These are areas of subcutaneous (just below the skin) fat, not internal or visceral fat. Popular areas for liposuction include:

• Abdomen
• Flanks
• Buttocks
• Inner and outer thighs
• Arms
• Hips
• Knees
• Breasts

What is Recovery Like From Liposuction?

You may experience some minor swelling and soreness for a few days after the procedure. Most people can return to work in as little as two or three days. You will have a compression garment to wear for one to two weeks after liposuction. It supports the area during healing and helps the skin rebound. 

How Long Will My Liposuction Results Last?

Fat cells can change their size (with weight gain or loss), but they do not grow back. After removal with liposuction, your fat cells will not be replaced by the body. Your results will last as long as you maintain a stable weight. Weight gain or loss can change the size of your fat cells, altering the appearance of your results. A good rule is to make sure your overall weight is less by at least the amount of fat that was removed. Fat weighs about 2 pounds per liter. Therefore, if 2 liters of fat were removed your weight should be lower by at least 4 pounds. Even better is to lose a few extra pounds, because this will synergize with the fat removal from liposuction and give you the very best result.

Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Most healthy adults are good candidates for liposuction. Ideal candidates want to target particular areas of difficult fat. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure and should be considered a form of body sculpting. 

Take the Next Step  

If you have further questions about liposuction, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at The Langdon Center in Guilford, CT. Call us at 203-453-8625 or fill out our convenient online contact form.