Why BMI is an Important consideration in Liposuction Safety

Your BMI helps determine if you're a good candidate for surgery because it can fundamentally affect BOTH SAFETY AND RESULTS. Here's why.

Suitable lipo candidates based on BMI categories for adults 20 and older

BMI categorises people as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. This helps liposuction doctors decide if you have enough or too much fat for liposuction to achieve your desired optimal results safely.

A higher BMI may potentially increase the risk of complications, around 3.5 times higher than those in the safer BMI range [1], while a lower BMI may limit the amount of fat that can be safely removed.

How much fat is removed in a single liposuction procedure?

The US recommendation is 5 litres in a lipo session, while the Ministry of Health, Singapore, which has one of the strictest requirements, mandates that the maximum amount of fat to be removed in a single liposuction procedure is only 2 litres and can only be carried out by a handful of liposuction-accredited doctors in Singapore.

Other stringent requirements mandated by MOH Singapore include:

• The procedure has to be carried out in an approved medical facility, for example, a hospital or a Day Surgery Centre in Singapore.
• Sedation has to be done and monitored throughout by an anaesthesiologist.
• People with a BMI of 28 and below are considered suitable candidates for liposuction in Singapore.
• Only doctors who have received relevant liposuction training and accreditation by the board can offer this procedure in SG.
• The authorities also require lipo doctors to fulfil a minimum number of cases in each calendar year, and cases will be audited as required.

In an interview by Channel News Asia in 2021, our Medical Director and lipo accredited doctor, Dr Ivan Puah, mentioned that Singapore’s guidelines on aesthetic procedures are “very comprehensive”.

"To ensure the safety of the patients, Singapore has erred on the safe side and rightly imposed very stringent guidelines on all aesthetic treatment, in relative comparison with most other countries. The guidelines for liposuction, for example, are “one of the most rigorous in the world, to ensure patient safety and maintain the highest standard of care for patients.Going forward, regulators of aesthetic treatments will face a two-fold challenge.One is to keep up with the change and development in the field with flexible and progressive guidelines, to allow Singapore to keep up with the best and be a centre of excellence for aesthetic procedures, as the patient demand is big and still growing.The other is to ensure treatment safety and high standard of care, to weed out the black sheep in the industry. It is not easy to find a balance between the two, but I hope (the authorities) will be able to achieve that."

How BMI Impacts Liposuction Outcomes

Source: US Centers For Disease Control & Prevention

Liposuction doctors and approved surgical facilities in Singapore are required to uphold the Ministry of Health’s regulatory standards as essential safety measures.

At Amaris B. Clinic, our comprehensive pre-operative assessments go beyond BMI to evaluate individual physiological factors, ensuring every patient meets both MOH requirements AND our rigorous clinical safety protocols before proceeding with body contouring procedures.

Other factors the lipo doctor will consider

The doctor will consider several important factors that can affect the surgery, recovery, outcomes and most importantly, their safety. These include their:

• Medical history
• Current medications
• Fat distribution
• Skin elasticity
• Overall health
• Any underlying medical conditions
• Drug allergy
• Specific areas of concern
• Patient’s body goals
• Patient’s realistic expectations

After examining these factors along with your BMI, the doctor can then determine if liposuction is suitable for you and create a personalised program tailored to your needs.

“We adhere to MOH's safety regulations to the T because patient safety is the pillar of what we stand for, especially in surgeries such as liposuction. That is why we carry out a thorough patient screening process during the in-clinic assessment. We also avoid general anaesthesia; instead, our anaesthetist uses twilight sedation and adheres strictly to the fat removal limits of MOH in Singapore. Our approach is always tailored and safety-focused, ensuring the best possible outcome for our patients." - Dr Ivan Puah, Medical Director, Amaris B. Clinic.”

Weight Management for Better Liposuction Candidacy

To get the best liposuction contouring results and high patient safety, patients who are obese or overweight are highly encouraged to be at or close to their goal weight.

Through a daily regimen of a calorie-deficient and nutrition-rich diet, combined with regular aerobic fitness programs, you can improve your quality of life and health, while significantly reducing the chances of complications and decreasing the risks associated with liposuction.

Diet Tips: Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Cut down on processed foods, sugary drinks and instant foods.

Exercise Goals: Get at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity activity per week, such as strength training. This will help build muscle, support metabolism, and facilitate fat loss.

By working with a qualified and experienced liposuction doctor in Singapore and prioritising your health instead of focusing solely on your BMI, you can safely achieve your body goals.

Schedule an appointment with Dr Ivan Puah if you need help with weight loss or are considering liposuction.