You might have stubborn pockets of fat on your abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, flanks, back, and under your chin that make you feel unattractive and self-conscious. Regardless of the reason for them, be it family genetics, multiple pregnancies, or past lifestyle choices, are you finding that they simply refuse to respond to your healthy diet and rigorous exercise routine?
Liposuction can be such an effective procedure at reducing your problem areas. You may be wondering if you could have multiple areas of the body treated during a single visit to Dr. Claire Duggal at Sandel Duggal Plastic Surgery and Medspa in Annapolis, MD. Well, what you find out might surprise you, so keep reading!
How Much Fat Can Be Removed?
For liposuction to be safely administered across several areas in one procedure, it ultimately depends on multiple factors, one of which is the amount of fat that can safely be removed at one time. For the patient’s safety, this is usually kept to below five liters (approximately five quarts) of fat during an outpatient visit. If there is more than this amount, then the procedure might need to be broken down into multiple stages and sessions.
It’s worth noting that, when removed by liposuction, fat is not measured in pounds but in volume—typically cubic centimeters or liters. The patient’s interest should always be aimed at fat being removed as part of a body contouring procedure and not necessarily part of a weight reduction goal.
Since liposuction is an individualized service, the actual limit to the number of areas that can be treated in one visit depends on several factors, such as these:
- Patient’s stature and anatomical figure.
- Location of each area of fat.
- Amount of fat to be removed.
- Patient’s unique needs and goals
Ideal candidates for liposuction should at or near their goal weight and have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30.
If you are considering liposuction, Dr. Duggal, an expert in this body contouring technique, would be happy to create a safe and effective treatment plan for your specific cosmetic goals.
Fat in One Region of the Body
Should a patient want to have fat removed from parts of the body close to each other, such as the thighs, hips, and buttocks, it may be possible to treat these areas during a single outpatient visit.
Fat in Multiple Regions of the Body
Unfortunately, stubborn, excess fat doesn’t always accumulate in only one area of the body, prompting many patients to inquire about just how many areas can be treated in a single liposuction session.
For most patients, there isn’t a specific limit on the number of areas that can be targeted during a single liposuction treatment. Instead, the amount of fat tissue that may be removed is determined by the patient’s anatomy and the size and number of areas the patient wishes to address. For example, a relatively small person may be able to have all their desired regions addressed during a single liposuction session. However, someone with a larger build might require multiple treatments to extract the appropriate amount of fat safely.
If the fat removed will be greater than the amount appropriate for the patient’s body, or if the procedure will take longer than the time deemed safe while under general anesthesia, then staged procedures are typically recommended.
It’s important to keep in mind that the more areas of the body targeted by liposuction, the more discomfort and swelling the patient will experience after surgery. Once the liposuction procedure has been completed, a compression garment is applied to limit swelling in these areas.
Fat removal with liposuction is a very personalized procedure. The particular number of sessions necessary to treat all desired areas will be determined on an individual basis.
Learn More About Liposuction in Annapolis, MD
If you are considering having stubborn fat removed from several areas of your body with liposuction, then schedule a consultation with our experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Claire Duggal, who will answer all your questions.
Sandel Duggal Plastic Surgery and Medspa offers a full range of cosmetic treatments under the expert management of board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Henry Sandel and Dr. Claire Duggal. Contact us today at (410) 266-7120 or online to schedule an appointment in Annapolis, MD.