Can I get laser lipo on just my upper and lower abs? Does it need to include the waist? (Photo)

Question

At my consultation for Smart liposuction, we agreed to lower/upper abs and inner thighs. When I went to my pre-op, the doctor suggested I get my waist done too because it would look weird. There is fat there but it never bothered me. I just wanted a flat stomach. Would it look weird to not include the waist?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

looks like you have loose skin and may need internal heating and/or a tummy tuck at same time as liposuction. laser liposuction is completely outdated.  you can do central stomach alone but it may look disproportionate if not done 360 degrees.

my whole practice is doing lipoabdominoplasty, or at least liposuction with internal heating (which is not the gold standard for skin tightening with body contouring).

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

It’s up to you. If you only want your abdomen and thighs, that’s fine. You have to be comfortable with the plan.

On the other hand, it is easy to add flanks to the procedure since equipment already being used and wouldn’t add that much to recovery.

Rediscussion with your plastic surgeon is recommended.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Passionate489805,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit from liposuction. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

I think that your surgeon is probably correct.  If you only have your upper and lower abdomen treated I think that you may feel like you have excess fat along the flanks and back which will make an otherwise nice result not look as good.  The extra cost is worth it as the recovery is going to be about the same.

Barry Ginsburg, MD · Answer

You certainly can have only your upper and lower abdomen done to get a flat stomach but doing the waist would give you a nicer figure.  You would of course have to consider the price difference if there is one.

Louis D. Cole, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Looking at your picture, you appear to be a good candidate for abdominal SmartLipo. If your waist doesn't bother you, and your goal is to have a flatter stomach, you should proceed with the areas that bother you the most. This is a procedure that is designed to make you feel better about yourself, and if your waist does not bother you then you do not have to include it. Good luck on your journey!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Personally I do not offer Liposuction of just the front of the abdomen. I view the torso as a single anatomic unit and either treated the entire torso or I don’t get treated at all.

The best analogy I can give you is that liposuction of just treating your front abdomen is like painting one side of a house a different color.

It might look OK from one angle but it just isn’t a very good idea and will leave the house in a state of imbalance

Treating only the front of the abdomen will create an abnormal fat distribution with the love handles, waste and back now becoming the problem areas.

Each provider has his own way of doing this procedure. My practice has been focused exclusively and liposuction and fed transfer procedures for the last 10 years. I’ve been a board-certified plastic surgeon for over 20 years. I’ve done over 7000 liposuction procedures and my belief in treating the torso as a single unit including all aspects becomes stronger and stronger each ear I do this type of work.

Inner thigh Liposuction tends to not deliver results of patients and hope for and is a high-risk area for contour irregularities when done by surgeons who have insufficient skill and experience.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photo, I note relative fullness of your abdomen and flanks. Liposuction of the flanks will narrow the waist. 
Liposuction of the abdomen alone may create a disproportionate appearance. 
Best wishes...

Can I get laser lipo on just my upper and lower abs? Does it need to include the waist? (Photo)

Answers (8)

More Laser Liposuction Questions

Is it safe to get laser liposuction on my back where my spinal fusion is?

Can you do laser hair removal and laser lipo in the same area at the same time?

Skin tightening for mild stomach laxity, any suggestions? (Photos)

Can you advise on LaserShape vs. LipoCel for fat reduction around lower abdomen and love handles?

Is laser cavitation or radiofrequency contraindicated if I have varicose veins but treatment area will be the stomach?

Can I get Laser Liposuction if I had gastritis a few years back?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS