Scottsdale – I have combined abdominoplasty and liposuction since I began my own clinical practice in 2002. I have found the combination of these techniques to be safe and effective in producing better results when compared to the tummy tuck without liposuction.

There are several advantages of the combined techniques, including, a reduction in the fat volume in the love handles and upper tummy. This translates into a smaller waistline and a tighter, flatter tummy. I have noticed that many patients benefit by having shorter scars when the tissue over the hips is removed with lipo as supposed to extending the incision farther.

A study published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, has confirmed that a shorter scar can be seen after tummy tuck when using liposuction in the love handles with a tummy tuck. The study measurements were made with a 3-dimensional laser surface scanner which more objectively measures the outcome of the surgery and the scar length. The study also demonstrated that liposuction did  not increase the number of complications with the tummy tuck procedure. Other studies have confirmed this finding.

Patients should be offered the opportunity to have liposuction when pursuing a tummy tuck. I always discuss the pros and cons and the potential complications that come along with adding this additional procedure. However, most healthy individuals can the have the procedure without increasing the risks of complications as previous studies have confirmed.