Can a tummy tuck remove subcutaneous fat?

Thank you for your question! Yes, a tummy tuck will remove skin as well as localized subcutaneous fat tissue. Additional liposuction will also remove subcutaneous fat in other areas. I hope this helps!

A tummy tuck will remove some of the subcutaneous fat directly and often liposuction will be used to contour more.  Its not a matter of how much fat is removed but rather how much we leave behind.

Thanks for your question. The short answer is "yes" some of the subcutaneous fat is removed with a tummy tuck, in that all (or a least a large portion) of the subcutaneous fat and skin beneath the belly button is removed with a tummy tuck. The fat above the belly button is then pulled down towards the groin and so this spreads it out and often makes it appear thinner. You can combine liposuction with a tummy tuck to treat some areas of the remaining subcutaneous fat, however the other option it so simply have liposuction instead of a tummy tuck.

It will remove the subcutaneous fat in the lower abdomen only. It will not change subcutaneous fat elsewhere.

Thanks for your question.A tummy tuck is capable of removing subcutaneous fat however if this is the only reason for undergoing this procedure then you may be better suited to liposuction. A tummy tuck removes skin that is loose or sagging as well as reducing fat. I would advise you to book in for a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon who will be able to advise you on the best treatment. 

Thank you for your question. Typically the procedure of choice for removing subcutaneous fat is liposuction. If your skin quality is good you may have enough "snap back" that a tummy tuck is not necessary afterwards. However, if you already have excess skin, and that quality of the skin is poor, you will need to have some skin resected, which is what a tummy tuck addresses. Its important to remember that the two procedures treat two completely different areas of concern but are often performed together to get the best results. 

A tummy tuck removes excess superficial and lower fat typically between the belly button and the pubic area (please note that with certain techniques this is not true). When removing fat in the upper abdomen many surgeons prefer to only remove the deep fat and preserving the superficial cutaneous fat. The reason for this includes helping to maintain a good blood supply to the skin since part of the blood supply runs in the superficial fat. There are a number of different types of techniques including a mini and moderate scar tummy tuck (which I helped to pioneer). These procedures are beneficial to patients who have fairly good quality skin tone. If patients have poor quality skin tone they may be a candidate for a full tummy tuck (which removes the most skin). I invented a tummy tuck where patients typically wake up in no pain (please see the video on our page). More important, many patients, even into their late seventies tend to enjoy showing off their new belly button and tummy in a bikini. I hope you find this information useful. Please watch the enclosed video.

Thank you for the question.
Generally speaking, liposuction is a tool that is often used during the time of tummy tuck surgery. Different plastic surgeons utilize this tool differently; some are more “aggressive” than others. In my practice, I frequently utilize this tool to treat adipose tissue of the flanks and pubic areas during tummy tuck procedures.


Care must be taken during tummy tuck surgery to avoid excessive "trauma" to the blood supply of the abdominal wall flap;  for example, if too much liposuction surgery is performed at the time of  tummy tuck surgery, it may be a cause of compromise of blood flow and resulting wound healing problems...


 In some cases, where I plan to perform a significant amount of abdominal wall liposuctioning, at the time of tummy tuck surgery ( "lipoabdominoplasty"), I limit the amount of undermining of the abdominal wall skin flap.  Again, care must be taken to avoid excessive  "insult" to abdominal wall blood flow.




 
 I would suggest you spend additional time discussing your goals, plans, and expectations directly with your plastic surgeon, in front of a full length mirror.  Working together you will come up with the best plan to achieve the desired outcome.
 
Best wishes. 

It is common to do some amount of liposuction in select areas as part of a tummy tuck. This does remove some subcutaneous fat. It is also not uncommon for a patient to perhaps have a "completion" liposuction later on to further improve the results since there are limits to the initial liposuction.

Hi dear, thank you for your question.
For this procedure and approach is necessary to perform a liposuction along with the tummy tuck. The tummy tuck procedure consists of bringing together the distanced muscles in the abdominal wall as well as eliminating excess skin with fat and restoring the area in general, providing a fit tummy. With the liposuction, it is more unlikely to achieve the removal of subcutaneous fat and provide a more have figure as result. If your weight is not around the ideal one the final outcome of the procedure won't be satisfying. Remember to always consult a board certified plastic surgeon before making any decision.Hope this helps!
Dr. Jiménez Toribio 
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.