Tummy Tuck with Liposuction on my Back?

asked 3 years ago by beauty01 in new york city
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 2,348 times
Tags: back, fat, plastic surgery

I plan on having a tummy tuck in a few months after I get to my weight goal and I would also like to have liposuction on my sides and back. My doctor told me that he couldnt do the back and the only way was to cut me all the way around from the front to the back. Is this true? why can't he just do liposuction on my back & sides?

7 answers to Tummy Tuck with Liposuction on my Back?

Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

There is no one right answer, as literature varies in what is considered safe. In appropriate candidates, I think it is safe to perform liposuction of the flanks (your "sides") at the same time as a tummy tuck. I would not perform liposuction of your upper back in conjunction with a tummy tuck, as a significant component of the blood supply for the tummy tuck flap follows the direction of the ribs (it travels from your back to the front, traveling downwards.) Liposuction can... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck can be done together with liposuction of sides and back.

Hi. 1) We often do liposuction of the sides (waist and love handles) and of the back together with a tummy tuck. The only reason to "cut all the way around" (body lift) is if you have a great deal of very loose skin in the back. We see this only in people who have lost a massive amount (like 150 pounds) of weight. 2) Also you don't need to be at your absolutely ideal weight to benefit by these procedures.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

SmartLIPO MPX may be ideal if your "back fat" is a small volume.

The novel Smartlipo MPX platform combines the benefits of the 1064 nm and 1320 nm wavelengths with the unique patented MultiPlex technology. Smartlipo MPX is also SmartSense™ ready to take advantage of the intelligent delivery system, enhancing safety and uniformity of energy delivery for superior aesthetic outcomes. Safe and consistent distribution of thermal energy supported with extensive clinical studies and research Reduce treatment time by blending the clinical benefits of the two... more

Shino Bay Aguilera, DO
Ft. Lauderdale Dermatologist

Tummy tuck and liposuction of the back

There are many options for treatment of the back in conjunction with a tummy tuck. Perhaps the surgeon was suggesting a circumferential excision procedure because your lower back is very loose?

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) CAN be done with Liposuction of the back

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) CAN and often SHOULD be done with Liposuction of the back and hips. Even in women who are at or near ideal weight, stubborn fat deposits on the back and hips make the buttock appear flat. As the tummy is flattened and waist is narrowed by the tummy tuck, these fat deposits, IF LEFT UNTREATED, may make the hips appear larger after the tummy tuck procedure is completed. On the other hand, liposuctioning of the back WILL define the buttock cheeks and the V zone... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Let's sort this out

If you need a tummy tuck for your abdomen because of post-pregnancy changes and have some redundant fat in the flanks (ie a "muffin top"), it is possible to do some flank liposuction at the same time as the tummy tuck. If you have more issues in the back than that and if you do not have significant extra skin in the back area, liposuction can be done to the back but it is safer to do it at a second procedure. The only reason to "cut you all the way around" is if you have substantial... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

The excisional technique is probably better than back liposuction

If your doctor told you the only way to treat your back was to "cut me all the way around," then you likely have a significant amount of extra skin and rolls in the back area. Few plastic surgeons are going to do a circumferential abdominoplasty unless you really need it. I am basing this answer on this assumption. Combined with a tummy tuck, liposuction is usually safe in the lower back/flanks but not in the upper bra fat area as the blood supply to the tummy tuck will come from... more

Evan Sorokin, MD
Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

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