Where does the tummy tuck area get its blood supply?

Many of the blood vessels that normally supply the abdominal skin are cut/cauterized during the operation so the vessels that end up supplying the tummy tuck come from the chest/upper abdomen and laterally from the flanks/back.
This is why aggressive liposuction of the central abdomen at the same time as a tummy tuck is generally not recommended.
Hope this helps!
Best wishes,
Justin Booth MD FACSAustin Plastic Surgery Institute

This is a fantastic question kiki94!

The abdomen was divided into Huger’s vascular zones. Zone I is primarily supplied by the arcade formed by the superior epigastric and inferior epigastric vessels and ranges from the xiphoid to the transverse line connecting both anterosuperior iliac spines. It lies in between the lateral borders of the rectus abdominis muscles. Zone II receives its blood supply from the superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac, and inferior epigastric vessels. This zone II is the area defined superiorly by a line connecting both anterosuperior iliac spines and inferiorly by the groin and pubic creases. Zone III is supplied by segmental intercostal, subcostal, and lumbar vessels. This zone comprises the lateral abdomen and flanks.

The skin flap from a tummy tuck gets it blood supply from arteries that arise fromzone III until new blood vessels grow from the underlying tissue.

Dear kiki94,

Your question regarding the blood supply to the area affected by a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is very insightful. In a tummy tuck procedure, the blood supply to the abdominal skin and tissues comes primarily from the superior and inferior epigastric arteries. These arteries branch from the internal thoracic artery and the external iliac artery, respectively.

During a tummy tuck, the plastic surgeon carefully manipulates the skin and fat to preserve these critical blood supplies. The goal is to maintain adequate perfusion to the remaining tissues while removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal wall. This careful preservation of blood supply is crucial for the healing process and to minimize complications.

Thank youf for your question regarding how the tummy tuck area gets its blood supply from.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen