Different Doctors' Opinions on Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

First, if four surgeons tell you the same thing and one tells you something different the odds are the one is wrong. And, in this case he is. Liposuction on the back or flanks or almost anywhere is often done at the same time as a tummy tuck. The liposuction is performed first then the surgery is completed with the tummy tuck. So I suggest that you go to a surgeon who will do what you desire.

Hi. 1) Turning you is not a problem. Liposuction of the back is done first, with you face down. Then, you are turned face up and we do the tummy tuck. This is assuming you really need liposuction of the back. Most of our tummy tuck patients do not. Many just need liposuction of the love handles. 2) When tummy tuck is combined with other operations, the risk of complications can go up. So we would do both liposuction of the back and a tummy tuck only if you are young and thin and... more

Dear Scared2death, As a former New Yorker, I would like to answer your question as best I can. If the score is 4 to 1 FOR the procedure, I THINK you already have at least a partial answer. It does not mean you original surgeon is necessarily "lazy" but it does mean that his vision / experience is not shared by the other 80% of the surgeons who had the opportunity to examine you. I have a significant experience in body contouring surgery and in examining my results, I have... more

Not being present at any of your consultations - the good news is that you have more than one - I cannot give you advice about "he said, she said" regarding your condition. I do not know what you look like so making any recommendations would be speculative and the response, not what you maybe be looking for.

To get the very best results with your surgery your whole body should be evaluated to determine the best combination of procedures. I personally almost always include liposuction of the abdomen and sew the superficial facia to the abdominal wall facia when i perform a tummy tuck. This gives a much better looking abdomen, decreases the pain, and precludes the need for a drain. Most of the time I also perform liposuction on the hips together with a tummy tuck. If this is need and it... more

When one considers the area between the rib cage and the hips it should be looked at in total, as a cylinder. In addition you need to look at the components or layers: the skin, the fat under the skin, the muscle layer and the internal fat. The tummy tuck will only take care of the front and will not help the hips or spare tire areas. That area can be treated with liposuctioning and that can be done at the same time as the tummy tuck. The procedure is started with the patient on his belly... more

It sounds like the majority of doctors who have examined you have concluded that you need the lipo for best results. It then comes down to a practical issue of how to change position during surgery in order to accomplish this. There are ways to do it and I think most would probably want to make it happen. It isn't a matter of laziness, some surgical facilities just aren't set up to do it that way, or it may be a matter of perference.