Liposuction Q&A
71%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers
that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not.
See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings
or Add Your Review

View Before and Afters
Average Liposuction Cost: $5,150
Learn about Liposuction
2,770 people and 782 doctors are talking about Liposuction
Get Free Email Updates
My Surgeon Told Me To Get My TT and Lipo Separately, Is This Normal?
asked 1 year ago by bell65 in Australia
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 237 times
Tags: combination, normal
My surgeon says he won't be performing liposution while he is doing my tt, he says I can have lipo later, is that normal.
14 answers to My Surgeon Told Me To Get My TT and Lipo Separately, Is This Normal?
+1
Liposuction - Can It Be Performed at the Same Time as a Tummy Tuck (TT)?
Hi bell65 in Australia,
There are several different issues here but the over-riding factor is that excessive liposuction of the central flap of the tummy tuck (ie, the tissue that remains behind and is pulled tight) risks compromising the blood supply to that tissue. That can lead to wound infections, tissue necrosis, secondary wound healing and all sorts of complications that can range from minor to nearly debilitating. So, in general, a procedure or habits (such as tobacco...
more
+1
Liposuction combined with tummy tuck
Liposuction can be combined with a tummy tuck at times. Liposuction should not be performed in the central abdominal area at the same time as a tummy tuck due to the risk of skin necrosis. Liposuction of the flanks or lower extremities is frequently combined with tummy tuck in carefully selected patients.
Andrew P. Giacobbe, MD
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon
+1
Separating procedures
Here in Florida, there's actually a legal requirement: if you are performing a tummy tuck in an office-based facility, you can not legally perform more than 1 liter of liposuction at the same time.
So, if patients have more than a liter of fat to be removed, they can either pay significantly more to have their surgery done at the hospital, or break it up into two operations. Neither option is particularly appealing to patients.
That being said, I...
more
+1
Can You have Liposuction and Tummy Tuck together?
This is a difficult question to answer without seeing you in person, as your plastic surgeon did. He may be concerned over the amount of liposuction that you may need in order to get really good results. Performing too much liposuction at the time of a Tummy Tuck procedure can damage vital blood vessels which can impair healing and results of the tummy tuck. We often perform liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck procedure in order to improve the results of the...
more
+1
Simultaneous liposuction and tummy tuck.
It is possible to combine liposuction and a tummy tuck most of the time. This is determined by how much liposuction needs to be performed and where.
The best advice is to consult with another or several other plastic surgeons to make sure you feel comfortable with your surgeon's plan.
+1
Depends where you are going to have the liposuction
I almost alwayscombine liposuction with an abdominoplasty (TT) but not on the abdominoplasty flap. If you have liposuctioning done on the abdominoplasty flap you may comprimise the circulation to the incision. Liposuctioning on the sides - gives a well shaped waist line
Hilton Becker, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy Tuck and Liposuction in ONE or TWO Procedures
A tummy Tuck involves:
- undermining of the tummy skin as much as is needed
- correction of tummy muscle laxity and separation AND
- removal of the excess skin
The blood supply to the REMAINING Tummy Skin is the most important predictor of proper healing. If enough damage was done to the blood supply or to an already damaged blood supply (as may be seen in smokers, people with certain diseases such as Lupus or Scleroderma etc), the balance may be tipped to skin death and wound...
more
+1
Liposuction with Tummy Tuck
Most surgeons have been taught to not do Liposuction of the abdomen with Abdominoplasty because of fear of reducing the blood supply to the abdominal flap. If the blood supply is compromised, the risk of wound healing problems markedly increases. However, new techniques that preserve the blood supply better have allowed liposuction of the abdomen at the time of Tummy Tuck. As of now, there few surgeons comfortable with these techniques, If the surgeon you have talked to gets good results and...
more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1
Liposuction and tummy tuck at the same time
Most plastic surgeons do some liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck.
However, doing large volume liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck increases the risk of complications, including blood clots.
It is a judgment call based on the amount of liposuction needed, the patient's physiology, their health, and the acceptable risk vs. the anticipated results. That's where experience comes in.
It sounds as if your surgeon is suggesting a very safe course.
more
+1
Liposuction and Tummy tucks: See Video Below
Generally speaking it is not wise to lift and lipo the same areas. It is too much trauma. However, varying degrees of liposuction of non-lifted (undermined areas) can be accomplished. This determines the type of tummy tuck which is performed. I have broken these down into four types to illustrate the differences and the areas of liposuction and call them the micro, mini, midi and maxi (Four M's)
see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Liposuction and tummy tuck together is an excellent way to achieve a great result
When I evaluate a patient who is interested in having a abdominal paniculectomy (tummy tuck) I always check to see if there is any area of fat deposits that the patient would like to address. This includes the upper back, hips, lateral thighs, medial thighs and knees and the entire abdomen. By doing all these areas together you can obtain a much nicer figure and a much more defined and athletic abdomen. This does require that the upper abdomen not be lifted off the abdominal muscular...
more
Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1
Lipo and tummy tuck can be done together
The traditional approach to the tummy tuck and lipo is to do it separate times. The newer technique is to perform together. The technique is different and I published a paper on this technique in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal last year. If your surgeon feels that he or she can give you better result in two stages, you need to feel comfortable with that. The other issue is your weight and medical history that may make you a better candidate for staged procedure.
+1
Tummy tuck and liposuction
It all depends on where the liposuction is to be done and the amount removed. Generally I do not lipo the anterior superior abdomen at the same time because of risk to the blood supply of the tummy tuck flap. I do lipo the hips and flanks at the same time. Also, if excessive liposuction is done a the same time,the risk of both procedures are increased. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.
Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy tuck and liposuction commonly done together
If the amount of fat removal with lipo is not too much then it is usually reasonable to combine them in one session. However, the plastic surgeon who has seen you personally is in the best position to advise you on this.


