Where Are the Incisions for Removing Fat from the Hips and Back Through Liposuction?

Question

Is most of the fat on the hips and back accessible through lipsuction, or is some of it too close to organs to safely remove?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I ideally plan the incision lines to be used for liposuction procedures with the patient wearing undergarments or swimming suit. Otherwise we do our best to keep the incision &ldquo;hidden&rdquo; in a normal  skin fold, by a mole or even at the edge of a tattoo (if one is present). Incisions may also be placed a symmetrically so as to not look surgical in nature.

	I hope this helps.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Fat in these areas can be accessed through different incisions. My personal preference is to make a 2mm punch through the skin and not an incision. This heals almost without a trace. For the back I place a punch hole at the bra line in the midline, for the lower back  at the superior fat pad area in the midline and at the top of the buttock cleavage. I can access both sides from these 2mm openings. I do not suture my punch holes, allows for drainage afterwards with less bruising, faster recovery. Fat is removed from between the skin and the underlying muscle fascia or cover. It is more difficult to have a surgical misadventure and injury to internal organs from the back as opposed to abdominal liposuction. Although these severe and at times fatal complications are rare, they are not unheard of (recent articles in USA Today). That is why it is very important to do your homework and seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss these issues. Unfortunately, in the US ther's no law which restricts physiciands and surgeons to practice within their scope of practice (the things they went to school for and were trained in).

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

Most areas of subcutaneous fat - or the fat that lies just below the skin - is accessible through liposuction.  The real question is whether the skin elasticity is enough to bounce back and not result in loose skin after the fat has been removed.  Fat inside the abdomen (giving the appearance of a pot belly) is NOT treatable through liposuction, and can be reduced by weight loss only.   Liposuction should never be near any internal organ - it removes superficial fat only.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

If I can perform the surgery with the patient on their backs, then I try to place the incisions in the flanks.  Otherwise, if the patient is prone on the table, the incisions can be placed laterally in the back.  The incisions are small and heal well so the larger concern for the surgeon is which approach will produce the best result.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Liposuction is perfromed through multiple small incisions that can almost be placed anywhere. Usually they are placed in the underwear and bra line in most patients.  Still, the incision is very small and usually heals very nicely over time.

Where Are the Incisions for Removing Fat from the Hips and Back Through Liposuction?

Answers (8)

Answer: Incisions for back and flank liposuction

Answer: Incisions for back and flank liposuction

Answer: Liposuction of back and hips

Answer: Liposuction of back and hips

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Where Are the Incisions for Removing Fat from the Hips and Back Through Liposuction?

Answers (8)

Answer: Incisions for back and flank liposuction

Answer: Incisions for back and flank liposuction

Answer: Liposuction of back and hips

Answer: Liposuction of back and hips

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.