How can I tell what would be removed during a tummy tuck with 360 lipo?

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding what is removed during a tummy tuck with 360-degree liposuction. I appreciate your research, as it’s important to understand what this procedure entails.

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with 360-degree liposuction combines skin and fat removal from the abdomen with comprehensive liposuction around the waist, flanks, back, and sometimes hips to create a more sculpted, contoured waistline. Here's how you can determine what would be removed:

What Gets Removed During a Tummy Tuck?
Excess Lower Abdominal Skin and Fat – Any loose, stretched-out skin below the belly button is typically removed. You can get an idea of how much by bending forward slightly and pinching the extra skin.
Abdominal Muscle Tightening – If you have diastasis recti (a separation of the abdominal muscles, common after weight gain or pregnancy), your surgeon will suture the muscles back together, helping flatten and strengthen the core.
Repositioning of the Belly Button – Because the skin is pulled downward, the belly button is repositioned to a natural location.
Lifting the Mons Pubis – In many cases, a tummy tuck also slightly lifts and tightens the pubic area for a smoother contour.
What Gets Removed with 360 Lipo?
Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits around the entire midsection to enhance the contour. With 360-degree liposuction, areas treated typically include:

Flanks (love handles)
Lower back
Upper back (bra roll area, if needed)
Hips (depending on your anatomy and goals)
The key to 360 lipo is that it sculpts the entire waistline, creating a smoother, more balanced appearance from all angles. However, liposuction does not remove excess skin, which is why combining it with a tummy tuck is beneficial if you have loose skin.

How This Impacts BMI Requirements
Since you mentioned carrying most of your weight in your abdomen, it’s important to understand how BMI affects candidacy. Most board-certified plastic surgeons prefer a BMI of 30 or below for optimal safety. However, many experienced surgeons will perform a tummy tuck with a BMI up to 34–35, depending on your overall health.

Here’s how your BMI might change after surgery:

Liposuction removes fat, not weight – You might see a slight decrease on the scale, but it’s more about contouring than weight loss.
A tummy tuck removes skin and fat – Depending on how much excess tissue is removed, some patients lose 5 to 10 pounds from the excised skin and fat.
Your BMI will drop after surgery – If you are slightly above the preferred BMI range, surgery itself may lower your BMI by 1–2 points.
Next Steps
To get a better idea of what will be removed in your case, I recommend:

Pinching your lower abdominal skin – Anything you can pinch below the belly button is likely to be removed.
Standing in front of a mirror and grabbing your waist and back fat – These are the areas that would be treated with liposuction.
Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon – They can mark your body and show you exactly where skin and fat would be removed, giving you a clearer picture of what to expect.
Good luck, and I hope this helps answer your question regarding what is removed in a tummy tuck with 360 liposuction!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Dear Makemeovedr,

generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a tummy tuck, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you 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