What is the difference between liposuction to the abdomen and to the trunk?

Question

Greetings Where is liposuction to the trunk located? Are the hips considered the trunk? Are the flanks considered the trunk? What about the abdomen/tummy? Is that considered the trunk? Just curious the difference between abdominal liposuction and liposuction to the trunk?

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. These terms may be confusing because some providers may use them interchangeably, but the trunk generally refers to the entire torso (meaning the body excluding the head and limbs).

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

Abdominal liposuction usually means treatment of the front of the belly, often divided into upper and lower abdomen. Trunk liposuction is a broader and less standardized term. In many practices it may include the abdomen plus the flanks, waist, lower back, or bra-roll/back areas, but the exact meaning depends on how that surgeon or clinic defines the treatment areas.

The flanks are commonly considered part of the trunk or waist area. The hips are more variable: some surgeons include the lateral hip/waist transition, while others price or plan the true hip or outer-thigh area separately. That is why two quotes can sound similar but involve different body areas.

At consultation, ask the surgeon to mark the exact zones on your body and list them in the quote: upper abdomen, lower abdomen, flanks, waist, lower back, hips, or other areas. The technique is similar, but the extent of treatment affects contour goals, operative time, compression garment coverage, recovery, and cost.

Igor Burko, MD · Answer

Hello, my name is Dr Igor Burko, and I am a Plastic Surgeon at SY Aesthetics in NYC. Typically, liposuction to the trunk includes abdomen and full back.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear SM8778,
this is the question you need to discuss with your plastic surgeon. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Definitions like these should be discussed with your surgeon to ensure you are on the same page.  Liposuction of the abdomen does not typically include the hips and flanks.  However it may be included in the term "trunk".  It's important that you are clear and comfortable with your surgical plan as you prepare for surgery.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

The term "trunk" is a vague description, but usually includes the hips, waist, and flank areas. Some include the abdomen in this description.  Ask the office who is using this term to define the areas for you.

Manuel Diaz, MD · Answer

The main part of the body that contains the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and back. Most of the body's organs and the backbone are found in the trunk. Also called torso., and your flanks are the areas around the sides of your body from your upper abdomen to your back.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The word trunk is defined as “ a person's or animal's body apart from the limbs and head.”
It is a very general term that is inherently imprecise. To know what’s included you need to confirm with the provider. I suggest areas to be treated be described using accurate and correct medical/anatomical terms. In regards to trunk liposuction I usually use the term “full torso” which is basically the same. To me this includes upper abdomen, lower abdomen, love handles, waste, full back, including armpits, all the way to the side of thebreasts. When indicated it may also include lower back and pubic area. 
I’m a big fan of viewing the torso as a single anatomic unit and treating the entire torso to leave people with an even natural thin fat distribution without transition zones between treated and untreated areas.
Too many times, Liposuction is not done adequately of the back and armpits.
During in person consultations, you should confirm exactly what areas will be included and ask to see before and after pictures of previous patients who had the exact same procedure so you can see the results of each sub unit. 
Delivering consistent quality liposuction results is more difficult than most people realize.
The number of plastic surgeons who approach mastery of this procedure is in reality quite small.
Likewise, not all people seeking Liposuction are good candidates for the procedure.
Patient candidacy is in the end just as important as provider selection.
Understanding your own candidacy for the procedure and selecting the right provider are the two key components to consistent long-term high-quality outcomes and high patient satisfaction. 
To find the right provider, I suggested the patient’s schedule multiple in person consultations with plastic surgeons in their community.
Bring pictures of your body, taking the same way plastic surgeons take before and after pictures and use those pictures as reference during the consultation.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patients who had similar body characteristics to your own.
Highly experienced surgeons should have access 100s or preferably thousands of before, and after pictures to choose from.
There’s no correct number of consultations needed to find the right provider.
The biggest mistake I see patients make is having only one consultation and then scheduling surgery.
Liposuction is a permanent and irreversible procedure that can leave people permanently disfigured if done poorly.
Being bored, certified in plastic surgery with years of experience and multiple positive reviews does not mean someone has mastered single procedure especially not Liposuction.
My best recommendation is to continue having consultation until you feel quite confident you found the right provider for your needs.
This may require having five ir more consultations.
Take careful notes during each consultation, especially regarding the quality and quantity of before and after pictures shown.
Schedule in person consultations whenever possible avoiding virtual consultations.
Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

Jared Blau, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Every office will handle this differently, since there are several areas to consider. If you’re in the research phase, it’s ok to call an office and ask what they mean by “trunk” on their website. If you’re in for a consultation, you can ask your surgeon the specific areas s/he is considering including

What is the difference between liposuction to the abdomen and to the trunk?

Answers (9)

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