Is it true my upper abdomen cannot be liposuctioned at the same time as my tummy tuck? (Photo)

Hello.
Great question. However, every surgeon has their own surgical protocols. Without a proper examination and better images, it is difficult to properly evaluate your concerns. Please visit a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed surgical plan to achieve your desired results.

While judicious liposuction can be performed in conjunction with abdominoplasty, care must be taken not to devascularize the upper flap as the key blood flow for healing of the transverse incision resides in the upper abdomen.
If the procedures are to be staged (safer), typically a delay of 6 months is reasonable to allow for adequate healing.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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Thank you for your question. You should be able to do both liposuction and a tummy tuck at the same time. I would consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to come up with an appropriate surgical plan for you specifically.  

The safest way to achieve your goals is to do complete liposuction with fat transfer to buttock (BBL) then wait a few months (six) before having a tummy tuck. A combined BBL and tummy tuck can be done however this may limit the amount of upper abdominal liposuction that can SAFELY be done.Consult with a few plastic surgeons in person before making your decision.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Thank you for your question & photo!  Based on your photo, you would be a great candidate for lipo 360 and tummy tuck.  I routinely do lipo 360, BBL and a tummy tuck together for optimal results. Liposuction will remove excess fat with some retraction of skin.  A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of muscle.  The abdominal wall can be weakened after pregnancy and (or) significant weight gain & loss.  By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well.  The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset.  Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals.  Best of luck!
Dr Dhaval Patel
Double Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon
Chicago
Hoffman Estates 
Oakbrook 
Orland Park

Thank you for your question.  During a tummy tuck you can not do too much lipo in the same area because of the blood supply.  Typically I will recommend doing some liposuction for the flanks with the understanding that we may want to do more in the future.  Minimally after 3 months the patient can choose do some additional liposuction.  It is not wrong if your main area of concern is the buttocks to do liposuction first, get as much fat out as possible and transfer it then do a tummy tuck down the line.   You could do it vise versa as well do your tummy tuck remove what is safe to remove at the time and transfer it then do additional liposuction minimally 3 months later.  I would suggest seeing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in person to evaluate you and discuss your options.   Best of luck to you. 

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph.  I agree in staging this procedure with 360 lipo and a BBL done in a single stage followed by a TT in 6-9 months.  Hope this helps.

Hello
and thank you for your question. This is a great question. When performing
tummy tuck, the key is to avoid aggressive/superficial liposuction of
the central upper abdomen, as it can compromise the blood supply to the
abdominal skin. Liposuction of the flanks and moderate liposuction of the
deep fat in the central upper abdomen can be done safely in experienced
hands. I routinely perform tummy tucks with 360 liposuction and BBL at the same time. I would seek consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon for a
full evaluation and advice. Best,
Pejman
Aflaki, M.D.
Johns
Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Thank you for your question. I routinely perform liposuction of the hips and flanks in combination with abdominoplasty and Brazilian butt lift.  I often liposuction the abdominal flap as well. Since the advent of progressive tension suturing, I have found this combination to be very safe.  There is no reason for you to have a staged or separated procedures. Best wishes to you

Hi qwert,  I think that perhaps my answer is different from the other docs, but I have always liposuctioned the abdomen and back at the same time as a TT. I do a limited dissection above the umbilicus in that I stay along the along the lateral borders of the rectus muscle and do discontinuous undermining laterally , a technique that was originated by Dr. Ted Lockwood. Maybe , I have been just lucky, but I never have had necrosis of skin centrally at the bottom of the belly.It is best to visit with a PS in your area and get various opinions on this approach. Of course, if you are a smoker, have diabetes or another major medical problems, all bets are off.Good Luck,Dr. Christine Rodgers