Is it safe to do a panniculectomy and lipo of the abdomen at the same time?

Yes it is safe to perform both procedures at the same time if planned and executed properly and if you are a good candidate for such a procedure. Your next step is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your particular case.

Dear Wantinganewmeee, Pure paniculectomy does not compromise the circulation, so lipo can be done at the same time. The question to you is, since you want a new you, why compromise you appearance with paniculectomy. If you want a nice body , go for the tummy tuck. You will get a flat stomach, narrow waist and attractive belly button. You might also lose a significant amount of weight due to the muscles tightening and consequently inability to eat much and having less hunger, that you might not need liposuction at all. In 26 years of practice and thousands of tummy tucks, I'v never done paniculectomy because you get very mediocre result with that procedure. Consult with board certified plastic surgeons only and check the before and after pictures to make sure that you like the results. Best of luck, Dr Widder

My opinion (hypothetically since I have never met this hypothetical patient): A true panniculectomy does not undermine (i.e., compromise the circulation to) the skin, so liposuction can be done at the same time. This is DIFFERENT from abdominoplasty, during which I do not usually do any liposuction in the central abdomen. Best to consult with a Board Certified PS in your area for an opinion specific to YOU. Best of luck,James E. Chappell, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonSeverna Park, MD

can be performed during the same operation. I would make sure, though, that you are a candidate for panniculectomy rather than full abdominoplasty. Most patients require the latter and you should not think that cutting corners as to the abdominal surgery but adding lipo will produce the desired results.

Yes it is safe. Look at Dr. Lentz answer below. I've been doing full abdominoplasties that way for over 20 years with no increase in complications.

With standard abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) it is not safe to have suction of the abdomen at the same time as the abdominoplasty. With the technique reported in my paper published in the major Plastic Surgery JOURNAL, PRS September 2011, it is save and even safer to do both. With this more advanced technique liposuction is preformed on the entire abdomen and hips, the incision is made low in the supra pubic area extending out onto the hips, the redundant abdominal panniculous is elevated to the. Level of the belly button. At this point the dissection is continued up just in the mid line where the muscles have been spread apart preserving the multiple blood vessel to the abdominal skin. This allows the skin to have the blood supply preserved making it much safer. The superficial fascia of the abdominal skin is then sewed down to the muscle fascia contouring the abdomen and hips and waist. Because of this no drain is necessary and the recovery is much easier