Is it dangerous to lipo a little bit of the upper abdomen when doing a tummy tuck?

Question

I have heard conflicting answers about a little lipo to the upper abdomen, just under the breasts when having a tummy tuck. Some say you can't do it because of the blood supply. Some say a little lipo is okay.

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD · Answer

Performing liposuction to the upper abdomen at the time of a tummy tuck does add risks to the surgery. The safest approach is to stage the procedures and have the liposuction done at a later date. Most patients would prefer to have only one operation, so many surgeons will combine the procedures. By being conservative in the liposuction and careful and meticulous during the tummy tuck, for many patients this can be a safe procedure.

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

I routinely perform liposuction on greater than 90% of my tummy tuck patients. It is safe to do so long as the surgeon is appropriately trained and certified.

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.

Yes it's possible to do liposuction before a Tummy Tuck, in fact I always do some liposuction before every Tummy Tuck, it helps me achieve a better contour.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  liposuction can be damaging to the vascular network in the area posing some wound healing issues but it depends on the aggressiveness of your surgeon.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

It is well established that liposuction of the entire abdominal region can be safely combined with an abdominoplasty, without increasing the risk of poor wound healing or tissue necrosis. The only caveat is that liposuction should be performed in a manner that minimizes unnecessary trauma and injury to blood vessels. Surgeons who are liposuction experts know how to do that: sufficient fat wetting solution injection and mechanical fat separation prior to actual fat aspiration (suction).

Samuel Lin, MD, FACS · Answer

Agreed, it is dependent on the area that is being treated.. it may be safe to do so and I would check with your surgeon on the specifics

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

This continues to be a subject of debate and I think depend  on how aggressive the lipo is as well as how much if the abdominal skin is elevated. If your surgeon has done this many times it sounds like they have managed to avoid the potential problems. Personally I don’t do lipo of the upper abdomen.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Upper abdomen liposuction with tummy tuck depends upon each situation.

Some deep liposuction to thin the upper abdomen is usually ok.

Aggressive liposuction with very wide, extended tummy tuck, prior scars, smoking, other risk factors is discouraged.

A little suction under the breasts should be ok and discussed with your plastic surgeon .

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Reserved3834,
I understand your concern. It is best however that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine whether you can have several aesthetic surgeries in one session, as this would depend on various factors including but not limited to your general health condition, the type of anesthesia that will be used, and the type of surgeries that will be performed among others.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Liposuction of the upper abdomen is typically avoided during a tummy tuck due to concerns of the blood supply to the healing abdomen being interrupted.  This could lead to necrosis, poor wound healing, and wound issues.  Liposuction of the hips/flanks area is safe and is often combined with a tummy tuck.

Is it dangerous to lipo a little bit of the upper abdomen when doing a tummy tuck?

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