What does it mean exactly when a surgeon says "lipo to flanks"? How far around the sides of the abdomen does that go?

By definition, the flank is the anatomical area bordered by the ribs superiorly and the top of the hip or pelvic bone inferiorly. Most surgeons when they do a tummy tuck and do "Lipo of the flanks" they reach around as far as they can as the patient lies in the supine position. I believe that this way one can treat only the anterior aspect of the flank only. The flank has a fairly mobile fat deposit and if you are supine it falls backwards and when you are prone it moves forward. That is why, I approach this area from a supine and prone position and many times from a sideways position of the patient. You must have the right instruments to achieve the best results. Many times if this is done from a supine position only, it looks great in the operating room, but in 3-6 months the nice shape definition is gone. See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques and has a good understanding of the underlying muscular anatomy. Good luck.

Liposuction to the flanks means removing fat by method of suction from the love handles. Same pertains to the abdomen.

The flank consists of an anterior and a posterior component.With an abdominoplasty in the supine position, the anterior flank can be accessed, but the posterior flank is not completely addressed.If formal flank liposuction is desired or recommended, then the prone (face down) or lateral position would be necessary.I hope this helps and good luck!

This can mean various things to various doctors. I try to contour or shape the entire unit of the body and that includes the sides and back when I say "flanks."  I typically call liposuction or hi defenition contouring of the sides "circumferential torso" because I do the entire body all the way around 360 degrees.  This give s a much better result.  I suggest you see only a body contouring specialiast who is not just about fat removal but more about body shaping!  Best, Dr. Emer.

This is the area between the front of the belly and the love handles.  It's commonly treated at the same time as the upper and lower abdomen, waist, hips, lower back, and love handles. 

Not all plastic surgeons may agree with this but the area just above the buttocks referred to as the waist is what I see as also the flanks. Liposuction of the series starts near the midline of the back and extends around the side to the abdomen.

Hi, thanks so much for your inquiry, when doctors say lipo to the flanks it is mostly describing the sides and it goes up to the conversation you and your doctor should have before your surgery. Please have an in person consultation so you can discuss thoroughly all your concerns, options and expectations. Good luck in your PS Journey!Respectfully,Dr. Jaime Campos-Leon

Some surgeons will use the term "flank" as an atomic area while others do not.I typically avoid using the word and describe the trunk as upper and lower abdomen, waist and hips.What most people typically consider to be the flanks would be what I would call the waist.When I treat the waist, it often goes back to the spine and will cover everything up to the crease that is often seen on the lower back.Anything above the lower back crease is what we consider to be the back bra roll or simply the back.Each surgeon has different parameters of what they would consider to be the flank, but, in my opinion, it would be from the spine to the mid-axillary line. Basically, this means everything on the back of the body down to the waistline.Most patients need a full abdominal treatment to get the desired result.It can be a big mistake to liposuction the waist without doing the hips or the lower abdomen without doing the upper abdomen.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D. 

That's a little bit imprecise, as the flank area is at the waist directly below the armpit and then around the back to some degree. I would assume the surgeon is going to perform liposuction over that entire area, but it sounds like you might do well to have another appointment so you can be shown on your body just what is intended.