Can liposuction and tummy tuck be done at the same time?

Many plastic surgeons combine liposuction with their abdominoplasties. This is great to treat the hip area or "muffin top" as people call it. In addition, it can be used to thin out the fat of the upper abdomen that will be moved down in a tummy tuck. But this must be done with some caution so as not to create a problem with healing of the lower abdominal tummy tuck incision. Liposuction of any other area(like the arms, thighs, back) is safe to combine with a tummy tuck and is often performed. Hope this helps.

Thank you for your question regarding the combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck. Yes, these procedures can be performed together, but there are important considerations to keep in mind, particularly regarding blood supply. During a tummy tuck, the skin and fat are lifted off the underlying muscles, which can already compromise the blood supply to the area. Adding liposuction, especially in the same area, could further reduce blood flow, increasing the risk of complications like poor wound healing or tissue necrosis.

The best approach to minimize these risks is to focus liposuction on the love handles or flanks, as these areas are further from the central abdominal blood supply. Liposuction of the rectus abdominis lines (the lines that form the "six-pack" look) is possible, but it carries higher risks because it directly overlaps with the areas involved in the tummy tuck. Your plastic surgeon will carefully assess your anatomy and recommend the safest approach to achieve your desired results.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Yes - these can be performed at the same time and this is routine in our practice to improve post-operative contour of the waist.