“Health”: Upper limit for liposuction procedures is 8% of body weight - Sarmad
In line with enhancing patient safety and establishing a more structured framework for cosmetic procedures in both the public and private sectors, Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi issued a ministerial decree outlining a set of regulations governing cosmetic interventions, alongside specific requirements for liposuction procedures, medical and psychological patient assessments, and protocols for managing potential complications.
The new regulations cap the maximum allowable volume of fat to be suctioned at 5 liters in same-day surgery centers, regardless of the number of body areas targeted, the patient’s gender, or body size. Furthermore, the regulations mandate that healthcare facilities admit patients to the hospital for a minimum stay of 24 hours if the volume of removed fat exceeds this limit.
According to Ministerial Decision No. 232 of 2026, the volume of fat removed must not exceed 8% of the patient’s body weight measured without clothing, with the quantity calculated based solely on the total net fat suctioned.
The decree emphasizes that liposuction is not considered a weight-loss procedure and prohibits purely cosmetic surgeries for patients with a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 35.
The decision obligates healthcare facilities and physicians to document all data related to liposuction procedures in the patient’s medical record, including: pre-operative weight, height, and BMI; the volume of extracted fluids and fat; the body area treated; any complications encountered during the procedure; pre- and post-operative patient photographs; and weight and BMI measurements during follow-up visits.
While requiring physicians to possess adequate training and experience to manage the procedure and its complications, the decree places special emphasis on the patient’s psychological condition. It mandates obtaining an accredited psychological report prior to surgery for patients exhibiting symptoms or suffering from disorders that may impair their ability to make informed medical decisions, such as body dysmorphic disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression, eating disorders, and borderline personality disorder. Such reports must not be older than three months.
