Is Liposuction Necessary when Having Tummy Tuck?

This is a very interesting topic. Textbooks have stated that it is risky to perform abdominal liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck, but recent plastic surgery articles have discounted this. In my practice, I'll liposuction the flanks only with a tummy tuck to help preserve the blood supply to the abdominal skin. The feeling is that extensive liposuction above the belly button could disrupt the blood supply to the skin flap. A little liposuction would probably be fine, but I would be hesitant to perform aggressive liposuction above the belly button at the same time as a tummy tuck. You can always go back later (3-6) months for liposuction after the blood supply has been re-established to the abdominal skin after your tummy tuck.

Thank you for the question.Liposuction is a tool that is often used during the time of tummy tuck surgery. Different plastic surgeons utilize this tool differently; some are more “aggressive” than others. In my practice, I frequently utilize this tool to treat adipose tissue of the flanks and pubic areas during the tummy tuck procedures.It will not hurt to discuss the pros/cons of liposuctioning with your plastic surgeon; simply ask for his rationale why feels it would be potentially helpful treating the areas you are concerned about.   Best wishes.

There are many issues here which are too complex to answer completely in this format but I will try to simplify.

Some physcians have concerns with any combination of the procedures and feel that there is an elevated risk of deep venous thrombosis. This, at one time in the past, let the Florida State Health officials to limit performing these combinations to hospitals or surgery centers only; this moratorium has since been lifted.
Many physicians are reluctant to perform liposuction on areas that are lifted during the surgery especially the central and upper portions of the belly. This can cause a compromise of the blood supply and lead to healing problems. Less controversial is liposuction of the flanks (an area that is not lifted). Liposuction of the thighs, arms etc. is generally considered acceptable but does vary among surgeons and may depend on the extent of the abdominoplasty.
Liposuction is generally considered an integral part of mini-abdominoplasty in which the upper and central parts of the abdomen are not lifted up.

This is extremely oversimplified and is essentially a summary of the most relevant points in my opinion. I hope it helps.