What are the pros and cons of having lipo 360 done in combination with a tummy tuck?

Question

I’m an over 40 woman, mother of three (repeat cesareans). Needing tummy tuck to repair muscles and fold over, however I will also need lipo on my abdomen and flanks. I What are the pros and cons of doing the lipo 360 during the Tummy Tuck vs doing the lipo 360 first, during a separate procedure?. (I am a normal weight).

Guray Yesiladali, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Lipo 360 and a tummy tuck can be done together or separately, depending on your goals and health. Combining them has several advantages. One significant benefit is that you’ll only need one recovery period, reducing downtime and allowing you to return to normal activities sooner. Additionally, performing both procedures together provides comprehensive contouring, targeting your abdomen, flanks, and back, while also repairing muscles and removing excess skin in one session. On the downside, the combined procedure may result in a more challenging recovery due to the extent of the work done. There’s also a slightly higher risk of complications like swelling or fluid retention. If done separately, each procedure may be less intense, but you'd need to go through two recovery periods and schedule two surgeries. Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal health, goals, and the advice of your surgeon.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding combining Lipo 360 and a tummy tuck. This combination is popular among patients looking for comprehensive body contouring, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of doing both at the same time versus staging them as separate procedures.

Pros of Combining Lipo 360 with a Tummy Tuck:

Single Recovery Period: By having both procedures at the same time, you only go through one recovery period, reducing overall downtime and the need to take time off from work or daily activities.
Complete Body Contouring in One Step: Lipo 360 addresses fat around the entire midsection, including the flanks and back, while the tummy tuck tightens muscles and removes excess skin. Combining the two procedures can provide a dramatic improvement in your overall body shape.
Cost Efficiency: When performed together, you may save on costs related to anesthesia, surgical facilities, and other associated fees compared to doing two separate surgeries.
Cons of Combining Lipo 360 with a Tummy Tuck:

More Painful Recovery: Combining these procedures leads to a more painful recovery. The body must heal from both the extensive liposuction and the muscle repair and skin tightening of the tummy tuck, which can result in increased discomfort and a longer recovery period.
Less Liposuction on the Abdomen: A significant downside is that your surgeon will need to be more conservative with abdominal liposuction during a combined procedure. This is necessary to avoid jeopardizing the blood supply to the skin and tissues in the abdominal area, which is crucial for proper healing after a tummy tuck. As a result, less fat can be removed from the abdomen itself.
Longer Surgical Time: Combining the procedures increases the overall time spent under anesthesia, which can increase the risk of complications, although this risk can be managed by an experienced surgeon.
Increased Risk of Swelling and Fluid Build-Up: The combination of liposuction and tummy tuck can lead to more post-operative swelling and a higher chance of fluid collection (seroma), requiring careful follow-up care.
For patients like yourself, who are of normal weight and need both muscle repair and moderate fat removal, combining the procedures may offer excellent results. However, it’s important to consider the more intense recovery and the potential limitations of liposuction on the abdomen due to the need to protect blood supply.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. This combination of procedures provides the best symmetry and harmony for your ultimate result however, due to the need to preserve circulation to some areas of the skin, liposuction may be limited in the abdominal skin flap.

Ramin Behmand, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipo360 generally refers to the contouring of the sides, and back (mid & lower back), in addition to the front, as in the stomach area. When combined with a tummy tuck, the lipo360's effect is focused on the flanks and mid/lower back, while the tummy tuck takes care of contouring, and tightening the front. The advantage of combining the procedures is that the results can be powerful in 3 dimensions contouring of the body's midsection, often well beyond what is achieved with a tummy tuck alone. Also, the compression garment that you have to wear for 6 weeks to support the muscle separation repair, is also perfect compression for the areas of contouring by lipo360. The disadvantages are that your recovery is a bit more difficult in the first couple of weeks, the surgery takes a longer, and there is more cost involved.

For most patients, when healthy, and deemed a candidate to safely combine these two surgeries, the impressive results by far outweigh the disadvantages.

Dr. B.

For most patients, when healthy, and deemed a candidate to safely combine these two surgeries, the impressive results by far outweigh the disadvantages.

Dr. B.

Guler Gamze Eren, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. In my own practice I usually combine both of those 360 liposuction and tummy tuck surgery unless the patient is not suitable for long duration of anesthesia. combination surgery will be less time consuming regarding 2 different recovery process. The recovery period will be similar if you combine the surgeries. Best Luck!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

If you have had 3 pregnancies with repeat cesareans then your abdominal wall has been severely damaged. If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight. I recommend doing the tummy tuck first with lateral flank liposuction. At the time of the secondary liposuction, any revisions can be done if needed.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

The advantages of lipo at the same time is a better result. However it will cost substantially more and your recovery will be a bit tougher

John W. Antonetti, MD · Answer

I always perform liposuction 360 with abdominoplasty. Most people would benefit from some degree of contouring with liposuction at the time of abdominoplasty.
Benefits of liposuction would be to provide more body contouring, remove more excess skin, and thin the anterior abdomen where people desire more muscle definition.
Theoretical risks of liposuction would be decreased blood supply to the anterior abdomen, but with changes to the abdominoplasty technique the past twenty years, I believe liposuction does not add risk when some degree of excess adipose is present.
In short, I practically always perform lipo 360 with my tummy tucks.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you are a candidate it makes sense to have the liposuction done in conjunction with your tummy tuck.  By combining the procedures your surgeon can have them work together for the most harmonious result.  It also would give you the benefit of having one recovery period.  The tummy tuck will address the subcutaneous fat on the abdomen, repair abdominal wall laxity, and remove excess skin.  The added liposuction can further contour your curves.  You certainly can elect to have them separately, however if you already have laxity your results may worsen that appearance and then you will have to wait several months before proceeding with the tummy tuck.

Oliver Harley, FRCSEd(Plast) · Answer

I do a lot of TTs with liposuction to upper tum, sides and lovehandles area - i am not sure whether this is called '360' - i think this term just canny branding!  but the combo works well.

If its the case that 360 means more extensive liposuction on the back, this can be done but I have only rarely found this necessary and if you have a lot of liposuction on the back and front +/- tummy tuck, you may well end up having quite an uncomfortable post op fortnight because there is no position you can sit or lie in without pressure on liposucked zone.

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