When patients come in considering an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, they often point out areas beyond the abdomen that concern them, particularly fullness or rolls around the flanks and back.
A tummy tuck can be a transformative body contouring procedure. It removes excess fat and stretched skin from the abdomen and, when needed, repairs and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a flatter and more defined abdominal contour.
However, an abdominoplasty primarily addresses the front of the abdomen. It does not necessarily address excess fat around the flanks, waist or back.
Why Combine a Tummy Tuck with 360 Liposuction?
For some patients, combining an abdominoplasty with 360 liposuction allows us to contour the abdomen together with the flanks and back. Treating these surrounding areas can create a smoother transition around the torso and improve the overall balance of the body contour.
Adding liposuction does increase surgical time, but one advantage of combining the procedures is that there is only one operative period and one overall recovery period.
Liposuction is performed through very small incisions. Where possible, these are strategically positioned so they are concealed within areas such as the bra line or underwear line.
Not every patient having a tummy tuck requires 360 liposuction. The decision depends on your anatomy, skin quality, distribution of fat and the areas you would like addressed.
What Is SAFELipo?
The liposuction technique I use in my patients is SAFELipo, a technique described by plastic surgeon Dr. Simeon Wall.
SAFELipo uses a three-step approach and power-assisted liposuction (PAL). It is a non-thermal technique, meaning that it does not rely on heat energy to treat the fat.
The three steps are Separation, Aspiration and Fat Equalization.
Separation
A Becker cannula is used without suction to separate the targeted fat while preserving important supporting structures within the tissue.
Because this is a non-thermal technique, heat is not used to separate the fat.
Aspiration
Aspiration refers to the removal of fat using suction, which is a fundamental part of liposuction.
After the fat has been separated, smaller cannulas can be used to selectively remove fat while maintaining a healthy layer of subcutaneous tissue.
The goal is not simply to remove as much fat as possible. Careful, controlled fat removal is important when trying to create a smooth and natural contour.
Fat Equalization
Fat equalization is an important part of the SAFELipo technique.
The Becker cannula is passed through the remaining subcutaneous fat without suction to help redistribute and equalize the fat layer. The goal is to create a smooth layer between the skin and underlying tissues and reduce the risk of visible contour irregularities.
Abdominoplasty and 360 Liposuction Work Differently
A tummy tuck and liposuction address different components of body contour.
An abdominoplasty can remove loose abdominal skin, reduce excess abdominal tissue and tighten separated or stretched abdominal muscles when required.
Liposuction removes localized deposits of fat but does not remove significant loose skin or tighten the abdominal muscles.
For the right patient, combining the two procedures allows each technique to address a different part of the overall contour.
I have found that abdominoplasty combined with 360 SAFELipo can create a meaningful change in overall body proportions when the procedure is appropriately selected for the patient.
It is incredibly rewarding to see patients feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies after recovery. Many patients also feel motivated to return to exercise and maintain the healthy lifestyle habits that help support their long-term surgical result.
Every patient is different, and 360 liposuction is not automatically necessary with a tummy tuck. During consultation, I assess the abdomen, waist, flanks and back together and discuss which areas would benefit from treatment.
To learn more about the procedure, including candidacy, surgery and recovery, visit my Abdominoplasty and Tummy Tuck procedure page.
