Will a Tummy Tuck Without Lipo Still Give Me the Best Results? (photo)

Some surgeons perform a Tummy Tuck as primarily a "cut it out" only procedure, and others will quote out liposuction and contouring of the hips and lower back as a separate charge. I'd suggest calling back your surgeon's office to be clear on what has been recommended.

From what I can tell from your picture, I would most certainly be performing a significant amount of liposuction in the tummy (abdominal) area as well as at the hips and waistline and possibly the mons pubic area.

It is likely that a comprehensive Tummy Tuck such as I have described would be a dramatic transformation and rejuvenation of the lower trunk area.

Hope this helps,

Nick Slenkovich, MD FACS

Thank you for your question and the photo.

Liposuction can be combined in creative ways with tummy tuck as long as the plastic surgeon knows the limitations and stays within those safe limits.  I frequently perform liposuction of the lower flanks at the same time as tummy tuck.  This prevents a wide, square look from a flat tummy and full flanks that weren't liposuctioned.

Another procedure to consider is the lipoabdominoplasty. It is becoming more popular and can give excellent results. You may or may not be a candidate with the upper midline scar that you have.

To best know what is right for you, see 2-3 board-certified plastic surgeons for a complete evaluation to make sure that you are a good candidate for tummy tuck and that it is safe for you to have surgery.

I hope this helps.

The majority of my tummy tucks include the liposuction of the flanks.  The tummy tuck alone will address only the front of your tummy as liposuction will sculpt the flank area giving a more esthetically pleasing result.  Be sure to ask your surgeon questions and it is always a good idea to ask to see before and after photos .  It is also important that you feel comfortable with your surgeon.  In my practice we have the ability to offer patients the opportunity to speak with another patient who previously had the same procedure, a patient advocate.  Talking to those who have already experienced surgery is one of the best ways to pick a surgeon.

Liposuction is commonly used to contour the flanks at the same time as a tummy tuck.  You may want to see another plastic surgeon to get at least another opinion on the matter.  However, judging by your photo, liposuction would enhance your results.

There is a midline scar on your abdomen however; and, aggressive liposuction in various areas at the same time as a tummy tuck may jeopardize circulation to the abdomen as you heal after a tummy tuck.  So, caution is indicated as well.

The underwear that you are wearing in your picture somewhat distorts the area, however, based on your picture, I would think that suctioning your hips and lateral abdomen would be a good idea.  A tummy tuck extends from hip to hip and would probably leave you with some fullness laterally (or a small pucker) if it is not addressed.  If your doctor chooses just to do the tummy tuck, you can always do little corrective procedures to address any lateral fullness at a later date.

It may be appropriate for you to have liposuction on the lateral flanks at the time of your abdominoplasty.  This is a decision that must be made by your plastic surgeon.  He is in charge of determining the safety of the operation.  I would respect his opinion as it is likely to have been made with your best interests at heart.  A second opinion may be your next best option.  

Thanks for sharing your photo.  Based on your photo, you do have excess fat laterally on your waist and flanks.  Your result would be better with tummy tuck and liposuction of flanks/waist.  If you are not comfortable with his assessment, you should seek a second-opinion from another board-certified plastic surgeon.

If you are talking just  terms if body contouring you need a more comprehensive procedure to get the "best results". On the other hand you can still get a reasonably good result and either lose weight afterward to help the remaining contour issues or do the rest later. However, you apparently have sought this procedure in order to combine the bladder tack and the plastic surgery into the same anesthesia. That means that the operative time is extended due to the fact that you now have two operative teams that have to each set up and prepare the surgical site , do the procedure , and they follow each other.  It is not done simultaneously. So, the plastic surgeon will follow the Ob-gyn and thus by the time he starts you will have already been under anesthesia for at least an hour if not more. So, it's not that you don't need lipo elsewhere, it's that it isn't safe to come in and do a truly comprehensive case of body contouring after another procedure , so your doctor is trying to give you most of what you want, yet keep you safe. If you want " the best results" and as you say " want as much gone as possible" ,you need to do the more comprehensive case another time and have lipo abdominoplasty (Saldanha technique) with UAL of your hips , flanks, and abdomen.This will allow you to have "as much gone as possible in one session". However, if you primarily want the convenience if a combined procedure then you are fine, but don't hold the surgeon to a standard that can't be met within the context of the combined scenario.

last if all, keep in mind the way doctors are rated on the Internet by rating sites are quite different than the way doctors rate other doctors. We tend to rate doctors by years of experience, surgical outcomes, safety, and inclusion in prestigious societies. Ratings sites are all over the map with everything from whether the doctors kept them waiting or even if someone in the office seemed short with them. In addition there are now doctors who are hiring companies to fabricate ratings and have even offered patients free services in exchange for high ratings.  Due to these issues, we refrained from soliciting reviews from our patients. The fact that your Ob-gyn recommended the surgeon is good. The ratings on the Internet unfortunately are totally unreliable. Look for Society memberships , board certification , and such things over ratings. I wish you all the best. 

Unfortunately if you have a tummy tuck without lipo you will not be satisfied with your result. It is a critical part to restoring your contour.  The rational for not doing more may be to reduce risk because multiple procedures are being combined. Combining a pelvic procedure with a tummy tuck and lipo will increase your risk of a blood clot.  It may be prudent to separate the medical and cosmetic procedures for an optimal result. Best wishes.

I would agree with you, and I feel a much better outcome will come by adding liposuction to the sides. The elastic on the underwear is a little distorting, but I suspect both above and under the elastic should have fat removal to improve the overall look.

A second opinion might be worthwhile. All the best.