Safe to Smartlipo Abdomen and Flanks During a Full Tummy Tuck Surgery?

asked 3 years ago by Raachel in NC
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 1,762 times
Tags: flanks, fat reduction, multiple

I had smartlipo 6 months ago. I have a swollen looking belly button, long rolls of fat on both sides of my lower abdomen, and lumps left around my lower flanks which are also uneven. My physician told me it would take a year for all of the swelling to go away and that's why this is larger in some areas. Well I went to visit another PS in the same practice and was told it was definately fat that he had not removed. We talked about how loose my skin still is also. The new PS said he would give me a full TT and smartlipo my flanks, lower belly, bellybutton and uper abdomen where fat was left behind. Since talking to the new PS I have had a few friends tell me it is unsafe for the PS to perform Smartlipo on any part of my abdomen. However they were not very familiar with Smartlipo. Would it be safe for the new PS to smartlipo a few areas on my abdomen and flanks while giving me a full TT during the same surgery?

9 answers to Safe to Smartlipo Abdomen and Flanks During a Full Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Smart Lipo during Tummy Tuck

98% of the success of your surgery will hinge on the plastic surgeon you choose. 2% will hinge on the lipo machine he chooses. Especially when lipo is performed at the same time as a tummy tuck, great judgment and experience are necessary. This patient who posted on RealSelf apparently had SmartLipo with a TT. You can judge her results for yourself with the link below. Since SmartLipo is relatively new, we don't know the dangers in combining the procedures. Since lasers coagulate blood... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

No need for Smartlipo at the same time as the TT

There is no need for Smartlipo at the same time as your TT. Smartlipo is good for small areas and for surgery when you are awake. If you are already going to asleep for the TT, then you should just have traditional liposuction at the same time. The benefit of Smartlipo (quicker recovery and less bruising) would be insignificant since you are already having the TT. Also, make sure you have a surgeon who knows what they are doing. It is very common to perform liposuction at the same time... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Blood supply is the key to any combined cosmetic procedure

HI Raachel, We routinely perform liposuction in the lower flanks (some refer to this area as love handles) at the same time as a tummy tuck. However, I agree with the other doctors responding that doing liposuction to the lower abdomen and even the upper abdomen while doing a tummy tuck would be risky, and I would not recommend it. The recommendation applies whether Smartlipo or any other type of liposuction is used. It is always best to err on the side of safety.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Considerations for undergoing another liposuction procedure with tummy tuck

Six months after a liposuction procedure, you are thinking of another contour procedure. The problem here is that the swelling regardless of whether fat is left behind is still present. If I attempted to remove the residual fat, how would I know how much of it is excess fat and how much is swelling? I wouldn't! Therefore, I would end up over-correcting your problem and making things only worse! As for the idea of a tummy tuck and liposuction, can they be performed together? Yes and... more

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Safety concerns involved, but it's mainly about choice of plastic surgeon

The topic of liposuction and tummy tuck is a very important one because it involves safety issues. The abdomen and flanks are divided into areas depending on their blood. In general it is safe to liposuction the lower flank area during a tummy tuck procedure. The same does not apply to the center of the abdomen as well as the upper flanks. This is a very technical issue and involves a lot of clinical experience as well. The key here is to trust your board certified plastic surgeon. Good... more

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

A complex question that hinges on blood flow

When you do a full tummy tuck, the skin is elevated off the muscles so that the muscles can be tightened and the extra skin removed. Because of the skin lifting, the blood flow to the skin is partially compromised, but not enough in most instances to cause healing problems. It is safe to perform some liposuction in the flanks without further compromising the blood flow to the skin. However, suctioning the elevated flap itself can possibly cause further decreases in blood flow to the... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Laser lipolysis and full tummy tuck

In general, it is my opinion, that most plastic surgeons would avoid performing any type of liposuction on the central abdomen in the course of a full tummy tuck. This is associated with a higher risk of skin loss. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

SmartLipo during a tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a very popular and effective technique to recontour the abdomen. In our practice, we include liposuction with every tummy tuck. This is because liposuction will help us treat the fat and reach areas in the abdomen that we would not be able to with a tummy tuck alone. Smartlipo is a technique of liposuction that is effective at removing small amounts of fat. Although it is possible to perform at the same time as a tummy tuck, other forms of liposuction such as tumescent... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Lipo and tummy tuck at the same time

In general, liposuction of the central midline at the same time as a tummy tuck may increase the risk of necrosis (tissue death) in the central lower abdomen. If on the other hand, limited undermining is performed with the liposuction, then it is safer.