A common question Dr. Bottger hears from prospective liposuction patients is, “How much fat can be removed by liposuction?” The answer to this question is somewhat complicated. According to standards established by the medical community, 6 liters (approximately 12 pounds) of fat is the upper limits of what is considered safe to remove during a single liposuction procedure. This does not mean you are losing 12 pounds of fat if you have 6 liters removed. Instead, this measurement represents the total amount of fat, blood, and other body fluids being removed. Keep in mind that this does not necessarily represent the ideal amount of fat to remove during your liposuction procedure. Dr. Bottger will determine how much fat to remove based on the following factors:
- The region being treated
- Your overall weight
- Your body shape
- Whether you are undergoing additional procedures in conjunction with liposuction
Due to safety considerations, Dr. Bottger rarely removes more than 5 liters of fat at one time. In most cases, he will recommend removing significantly less than this amount. Generally, the risk of complications increases when you remove very large quantities of fat during your procedure. To avoid these risks, Dr. Bottger typically removes the least amount of fat necessary to achieve your desired goals. Remember, liposuction is not a tool for weight loss. It is performed on people near their ideal weight in order to provide additional sculpting that cannot be achieved through diet and exercise. In most cases, this can be achieved by removing a relatively small amount of fat. If you live in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and are interested in liposuction, please contact Dr. David Bottger today to schedule your initial consultation.