Tummy Tuck

Lipoabdominoplasty is a combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck. This procedure will remove excess skin and fat, flattening the stomach area while tightening the abdominal muscles.

Lipoabdominoplasty sought to address the inability of overweight patients to undergo an abdominoplasty procedure because of its severe complication rate. Initially, these patients were told to do both procedures individually, but this in turn created its own complications and therefore was still considered high risk. In 2000, a Brazilian surgeon named Osvaldo Saldanha combined the two procedures and has since solidified it into the popular procedure being performed today.

By removing excess fat first, the abdominoplasty procedure is much less traumatic to the surrounding nerves, arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels, resulting in fewer complications and superior results. The tummy will not only appear slimmer through tucking and contouring, but will also be thinner from the liposuction.

Lipoabdominoplasty is the perfect solution for individuals who wish to lose excess fat and skin around the belly, and end up with a perfectly flat stomach. There is a high patient satisfaction rate for this procedure because the skin and tissues are much easier to work with after the fat has been removed, resulting in a better tuck.

The lipoabdominoplasty procedure can last anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the extent of liposuction required and how much skin is to be excised. Treatment starts with extensive liposuction of the abdominal area using the body-jet (aqua-lipo) or CoolLipo systems. Removing a significant amount of fat helps minimize complications as fat is a parasite of the abdominal flap’s blood supply. The liposuction will thus discourage any necrosis of the skin flap, as well as infection or contour irregularities. Liposuction also minimizes blood loss since tumescent solution will be injected into the area. After liposuction is completed, selective undermining beneath the skin is performed, preserving most of the nerves and blood vessels. Again, this will promote better blood flow and tissue oxygenation, aiding in the healing process. After such undermining is completed, the skin flap is able to reach down to the lower abdomen where the skin excision is made. Excess skin and tissue is then removed from the lower abdomen, while the abdominal muscles are tightened with sutures. Other sutures will be applied to advance the flap, relieve tension to increase flap vascularity, and eliminate dead space, which will prevent complications such as seroma. Finally, the physician will pull down and close the flap with multiple layers of dissolvable sutures that will minimize scar tension, spreading, and wound dehiscence. After the procedure, the patient will spend a few hours in recovery before being discharged.