How Much Fat is “Too Much”?

A very common misconception about procedures such as Liposuction, SmartLipo Triplex Liposuction, Tumescent Liposuction and Vaser Liposuction is that the more fat you take, the better the result. This is only partially true. Beautiful, smooth and natural looking liposuction results are not only about how much fat you take out, but also about how much fat is left behind.

Is Fat Bad?

Fat has been deemed “bad” by the media, societal stereotypes and our individual perceptions of beauty. But the truth is, that fat (in the right amounts and in the right places) is what makes the human body beautiful. In the right proportions, fat enhances the body’s natural curves. Therefore, how much fat is “too much” is very patient and culture dependent. For example, most Mediterranean, African American and Middle Eastern cultures tend to have a preference for more voluptuous curves while white Americans and Asians tend to prefer a slimmer figure.

Remove All the Fat?

I often encounter patients requesting us to take out “all the fat” from an area or who have come from other liposuction practices where they have been told that “all of the fat will be removed” It is very important to understand that, first, it is not possible to remove all of the fat and second, you would never want to remove all of the fat.  Removing all of the fat would result in the formation of dimples, saggy skin and uneven results.

Liposuction Results

Achieving natural, smooth and beautiful results with liposuction is achieved by combining surgical skills, experience and art.  This is accomplished by knowing not only how much fat to remove and where to remove it from, but of equally great importance, knowing where and how much fat to leave behind.

  Frank Soto León, MD is a cosmetic surgeon who is board certified through the American Board of Aesthetic Medicine.  For more advice from Dr. Soto on CoolSculpting, SmartLipo or other cosmetic procedures please visit www.omahaliposuction.com where you can read his blog and see Before & After Photos of actual patients.  If you have a question you would like to see answered as one of our blogs, let us know!