Which has more risk? Tummy tuck or liposuction?

Question

Hi I'm originally scheduled to have tummy tuck with lipo of flanks, but considering just getting tummy tuck to avoid liposuction risks. Which is more riskier tummy tuck or liposuction?

Leland Deane, MD, FACS · Answer

Relative risk between there two procedures should not be an issue because they should both be low. If you are in the position of asking this question, see a different surgeon!

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is difficult to tell without any photos. However, any cosmetic surgery has risks. It is hard to tell someone which procedure will be more risky for them with out a physical consultation. Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon and get some opinions. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington Oakbrook Chicago

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Both carry risks. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and risks associated with surgery. Regards,

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Hard to advise without photos. Liposuction is ideal for well defined areas of fat unaffected by diet and exercise. Tummytuck addresses redundant skin and fat and also tightens stretched abdominal wall muscles after pregnancy. Risks are similar. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to assist with your decision

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

A full abdominoplasty is quite a large operation and generally carries more risk than liposuction. I believe the extra risk of adding liposuction to the flanks is quite small while it can add greatly to your contour improvement with an abdominoplasty.

James Lee, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck procedure is generally a riskier procedure in comparison to liposuction however both procedures address different things. Seeing that your physician suggested a tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks, I am assuming that liposuction alone as a procedure for you would not give you the result you are looking for. A tummy tuck procedure will tighten any excess skin and muscles leaving you with a flat rejuvenated look of your abdomen. The liposuction to the flanks will enhance your natural contours of your body. Adding flank liposuction to a tummy tuck is common. James Lee

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Great question. In my opinion, it is very reasonable to have liposuction and a tummy tuck at the same time.  If the liposuction is well planned then the risk of complications is not increased.  An example of a poor plan would be to liposuction of your abdomen, upper and lower back as well as the flanks plus a tummy tuck.  This will increase the possibility of healing complications.  Please seek several opinions from board certified plastic surgeons.  Best wishes.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Tummy tuck carries more risk than liposuction in general. As long as you are medically cleared, risks for a tummy tuck should be low. Adding liposuction of the flanks is usually ok, I would not recommend adding anything further.A discussion with your plastic surgeon is recommended.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.In general, the abdominoplasty surgery is a more involved operation and therefore may have more potential risks and complications associated with it.  That being said, every surgery has potential risks and the best thing you can do as a patient is to make sure that your surgeon is highly qualified and performs surgeries in a safe environment.Best wishes as you continue to do your research.

William LoVerme, MD · Answer

Combined operations often have more risk than any one operation alone. Liposuction in general has less risk than tummy tuck. There have been some reports in the literature that state that liposuction with tummy tuck increases the risk. However, this is generally when the liposuction is done in the same area of the abdomen. Liposuction in that area must be done very carefully and there are recent papers that show it is possible to suction even in the mid abdomen at same time as tummy tuck if certain blood vessels are preserved. Liposuction of the flanks is a different area and is very commonly done with tummy tuck. In fact, I almost consider it part of the procedure as I often use liposuction at the edges to keep the incision a bit shorter. Altough a plastic surgeon can never say there is no risk, I think you should not be worried about some liposuction of the flanks at same time as abdominoplasty.

Which has more risk? Tummy tuck or liposuction?

Answers (12)

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