I want to look natural and not uneven. Would it make sense to get flanks only liposuction? (Photos)

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You’re a good candidate for liposuction and if you decide that flank-only Lipo is your preferred option, you can achieve a good result. However, smooth, natural results can be achieved with 360 Lipo as well and in my opinion it provides the most uniform results.

In my opinion, flanks-only liposuction is a good, natural option if your skin is smooth and your goal is subtle curves with less downtime. For the most balanced result, VASER Lipo 360 is ideal.

Whenever you’re ready:
Let’s make it better.

Warmly,
Dr. Luis Mejía, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

If your only goal was reduce your waistline, and you were satisfied with how your abdomen and back appears, then liposuction of your flanks is an appropriate procedure.
I personally, would ask my patients to consider liposuction 360 (abdomen, flanks, and back) as this would provide the best aesthetic appearance for my patient. This would help get your abdomen even flatter and provide you with better curves all around.
Focused liposuction of one specific area (i.e. flanks), may lead to some contour irregularities as the flanks themselves can be seen as an extension of the abdomen and the back. The last thing you want is any type of irregularity or step-off because your surgeon stopped liposuction in an area because she believes that area to be part of your abdomen and not your flank.
If you are truly considering only liposuctioning your flanks, be sure to ask your surgeon if she plans to feather or taper the edges of the area she liposuctions so that that there is smooth transition.

You do appear to be a great candidate for body contouring with liposuction to help define your waist. Liposuction is not a good tool for weight loss or to make you 'skinny,' but it can enhance contours and modify shape when applied correctly. When done properly, liposuction takes away the deeper layer of fatty tissue and leaves the top layer of fat behind to keep your skin smooth. If liposuction is performed to superficially or too close to the skin, then you can see a lumpy bumpy appearance. There is a higher risk of having contour irregularities like this in thinner patients such as yourself, because the fat layers are thinner and your superficial fat layer is not as thick to hide deeper irregularities. Liposuction on thin patients takes longer because smaller cannulas and lower power/suction strengths are used specifically to avoid these types of contour irregularities. Lipo360 is a way to address the entire torso (abdomen, flanks and back) at one time with one recovery period. If patients are considering body contouring of the abdomen and back, I will usually recommend treating this at one time to both optimize recovery time and keep your result cohesive.

Performing liposuction to the flanks only is certainly a reasonable option in your case. It's going to make the most significant implant from the back view from the pictures that you submitted. On the front view, you will see some improvement in the transition area from the waist leading down to the hips. It's not going to make a significant impact on the central abdomen. So in the picture of the front view that you submitted, if you were to draw a vertical line down the abdomen from where your shirt starts to curl upwards on both sides - you won't see much change between those lines if you get liposuction to the flanks only. Similarly, on the side view photo, you would see the most significant changes on the area where the back transitions to the upper buttocks, but wouldn't see much change on the abdominal portion of the picture. So liposuction to the flanks only is certainly reasonable, it just depends on how aggressive you want to be. You surgeon will blend the the area between the flanks and the abdomen to prevent any contour irregularities, and you can always come back for additional liposuction to the abdomen in the future.

Body contouring procedures have become increasingly popular and can help men and women recontour their body in adulthood. If you have stubborn areas of fatty accumulation that are more resistant to diet and exercise, you may be a candidate for body sculpting liposuction performed at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica. Liposuction remains one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery and allows patients to slim and toned their waist line, back, arms, and legs using this minimally invasive and highly coveted procedure.

Among the most common areas to have liposuction performed is the waist line and stomach area. This makes liposuction an excellent alternative to a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck. If you have had fluctuations in weight, you may benefit by recontouring the waistline and abdomen using liposuction. Patient with excessive skin in the lower abdomen from childbirth or from excessive weight loss may not respond well to liposuction because the extra skin will continue to hang. In these patients, and abdominal plasty procedure is preferred.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

From the submitted photos you do appear to be a good candidate for liposuction. This will address subcutaneous fat. Though you can't eliminate the risk of contour irregularities, in the right hands the risk is low. If your goal is to accentuate your curves then it would make sense to suction more than just the flanks. For best results do your research and select an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. Look at before and after photos of the surgeon's clients and make sure that you are comfortable and confident in your choice.