How Much Fat Can Be Sucked Out with Liposuction?

Liposuction, the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States, is a surgical procedure to remove fat in the body that does not respond to diet and exercise.

The Procedure

• Liposuction is the surgical removal of fat from the body.

  While under anesthesia, a small instrument is inserted between the skin and muscle and fat is removed using a suction device. In tumescent liposuction, a solution may be injected into the fat before suction to aid in removal and recovery. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is another technique and is used to liquefy fat before it is suctioned out.

Considerations

• Serious thought is required when choosing liposuction.

  Liposuction is primarily a cosmetic procedure performed to enhance your appearance by removing fat and contouring areas of your body such as the thighs or jawline. Liposuction is not a weight loss method. Enhancing appearance by targeting problem areas is the main reason many choose liposuction.

Effectiveness

• Liposuction results may vary.

  Liposuction generally removes 10 pounds or less of fat. Although you may gain weight after liposuction, the fat cells removed during liposuction are removed permanently and it is unlikely that you would gain weight in the same areas. If weight is gained after the procedure, it would most likely be distributed to a different area of the body. A healthy active lifestyle is important to maintain the results of liposuction.