What is the difference between lipoabdominoplasty and a standard tummy tuck?

Question

Is lipoabdominoplasty just a "fancy" word for a tummy tuck with the addition of lipo? Which is a better procedure to avoid the "boxy" shape that I often see?

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Traditional tummy tuck was simply elevation of the abdominal skin and removal of excess skin with possible muscle tightening.  Many North American surgeons used to avoid adding liposuction to a tummy tuck out of a fear that it can increase risk of complications.  That notion has now been disproved and adding liposuction to a tummy tuck is becoming more widespread.  In our practice virtually all patients add some lipo to their tummy tucks to help shape their curves and to thin out the abdominal skin (skin and fat) so that it better matches with the lower abdominal area/groin when the tummy tuck is closed.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

This may refer to suctioning  the upper abdomen combined with a full tummy tuck.  But make sure your are clear on what your surgeon means when the term lipoabdominoplasty is used as it seems rather vague and actually I have not heard the term before.

William Bruno, MD · Answer

Yes, this is just a term for a tummy tuck with liposuction. That liposuction is typically performed on the love handles (flanks) to help avoid a boxy shape and create more of a waistline. Some surgeons will also liposuction the central abdomen, however this carries the risk of compromising the blood supply to the skin and therefore is not done in most cases. Consult with a few plastic surgeons in your area to see what procedure is best for you.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Lipoabdominoplasty is just another term for tummy tuck with addition of lipo.  In most tummy tuck cases, liposuction of the waist line/hips is done to help contour the torso.  The boxy shape that you mention happens because of certain reasons, but the main reason is patient anatomy.  If the patient's hip bone and ribs are close to the same width and patient has significant intra-abdominal (fat inside the abdomen) then it is highly likely that the boxy shape will persist.It is best to see a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss with you what can and can not be accomplished.Hope that helps.

Shayne Webb, MD · Answer

You are right.  Lipoabdominoplasty is the same thing as a tummy tuck with liposuction.  Not performing lipo with a tummy tuck can sometimes cause the 'boxy' shape.  How the surgeon repairs/plicates the muscles can also have a contributing role.  Some boxy shapes can be caused by visceral fat that is beyond the control of surgery.  Of note, different names have been given to tummy tucks with lipo.  Usually it is something such as 360 lipo that is the exact same thing that plastic surgeons have been doing for years and is used for marketing....other examples are hourglass tummy tuck and silhouette lift (I have to follow the daytime shows sometimes just to find out what new name has been given to what I have always been doing).  In the case of lipoabdominoplasty, however, this is actually the technical name for the procedure that we as plastic surgeons have always used.I hope this helps.  Good luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Traynice,yes, you are right, abdominoplasty is a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction. I usually combine tummy tuck and liposuction of love handles in order to achieve the best results. 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

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

usually come from prominent flanks or love handles... and lipoabdominoplasty is a tummy tuck combined with liposuction that has proven to be safe, despite being told never to do them together years ago.  There are still laggard surgeons that still embrace that concept that you cannot combine liposuction with the tummy tuck.  A true lipoabdominoplasty relies more on discontinuous undermining of the upper quadrants to loosen it and allow it to be pulled downwards whereas a traditional tummy tuck cuts everything between the skin flap and abdominal wall (including all the vessels) up to the rib cage.  If someone has a thick abdominal flap on pinching, I always do a lipoabdominoplasty procedure.  If thin, a more traditional tuck with discontinuous undermining.  And to not be boxy, pay for liposuction of your flanks if indicated.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi. Exactly just a fancy or commercial name for an old procedure to atract people. Nowadays most Tummy Tucks are performed with Lipo and BBL, to reshape the complete body contour and avoid the boxy shape.International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Dominican Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

You are correct that the lipoabdominoplasty is just the medical term for a tummy tuck with lipo. The addition of lipo to a tummy tuck helps contour the sides of the abdomen to give the patient a more curvy and hourglass result. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
IG: @drjohnsonlee

J. Joseph Danyo, MD · Answer

Almost all abdominoplasties have some amount of liposuction as part of the procedure. The two terms mean the same thing.

What is the difference between lipoabdominoplasty and a standard tummy tuck?

Answers (13)

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