Is stubborn fat a problem? Just think if you could eliminate excess fat cells in one area for good. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Now think again. What if you could do more? Let’s say you have two, or three, or four problem areas. Will liposuction be able to treat them all in one session? Harvard-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Randy Craft explains that it is possible to address multiple target sites with one liposuction treatment.
What’s Really Important?
Although many patients and surgeons get caught up in the number of treatment sites, the amount of fat and fluid removed is really what determines the amount of liposuction that can safely be performed in one procedure. The general rule is no more than five liters of fat and fluid should be removed during one session, regardless of how many areas are treated.
Although higher volume liposuction may be possible in specific cases, safety comes first. When the patient is fit, and near a healthy weight, the factor is moot. It’s unlikely that five liters of fat removal is necessary when a bit of shaping and sculpting is all that’s being done. A study performed in 2017 reviewed 4,500 liposuction patients to determine what factors led to increased complication rates from the procedure. Patients with complications had larger liposuction volumes—average 3.4 liters—and higher BMIs. Patients undergoing "large-volume" liposuction of more than five liters had a higher overall complication rate: 3.7 versus 1.1 percent. This resulted almost entirely from an increase in seromas.
The time in the operating room is another crucial variable. The longer the patient is under anesthesia, the higher the risk. Generally, liposuction procedures should be kept to under six hours.
Do I Need To Stay Overnight In The Hospital After Liposuction?
Most patients do not require an overnight hospital stay after liposuction. Larger volume liposuction over the 5 L guideline discussed above may require an overnight stay to monitor for fluid shifts and ensure adequate hydration.
Liposuction is About Sculpting, Not Weight Loss
Liposuction should never be confused with a weight loss procedure. It is a body shaping operation that eliminates unwanted fat pads that diet and exercise seem to ignore. Patients should be near or at their healthy weight when considering the surgery to ensure the safest and most effective results.
Common Liposuction Treatment Sites
Dr. Craft utilizes liposuction to treat areas like the upper arms, legs, thighs, hips, and flanks. Other common sites include the abdomen, back, chest, chin, and neck. Suppose you have multiple locations in need of sculpting. In that case, the operation’s duration and the amount of fat and fluid to be removed will come into play in the surgical plan.
Liposuction is an ideal treatment to combine with other body shaping surgeries. These include a breast lift, tummy tuck, and a mommy makeover.
As with all elective procedures, safety is of the upmost importance. Be sure you are seeing a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
