Select Page

How is the amount of fat removed in liposuction calculated

How is the amount of fat removed in liposuction calculated

How is the amount of fat removed in liposuction calculated

Q: Is it only the fat removed or does it include the injected fluid? For example, if 5 liters was removed, is that all fat or is part of that the added fluid? Do doctors calculate this differently? I’ve never really understood this part. Thanks so much!

A: During liposuction, tumescent fluid – sterile saline mixed with medications to control bleeding and pain – is injected into the treatment area and allowed to sit for a time. This tumescent fluid is critical for successful liposuction. It loosens the fat and reduces complications. Tumescent fluid is then removed along with the fat. I count the total volume of fluid and tissue removed and never exceed 5 liters in one procedure. The liposuction aspirate contains fat, tumescent fluid and blood. Many patients just want to count the amount of pure fat removed, but unfortunately this is impossible to do. First, there are microscopic amounts of fat mixed in with the fluid. Also, the risks of liposuction increase when more than 5 liters of aspirate is removed – even though that aspirate contains more than just fat.