Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

When people envision getting a tummy tuck they automatically assume that liposuction is performed during the procedure to remove excess fat and help contour the stomach. However, most tummy tucks do not require or include liposuction. Liposuction can be performed during the tummy tuck but it must be discussed with your surgeon beforehand.

Why? If performed during a surgery that has gone on too long, liposuction can actually be dangerous, leading to excessive blood loss. Deciding whether you want to receive liposuction during your surgery is up to you, but don’t be surprised if your surgeon suggests doing two procedures instead of both at once. He or she is just looking out for your health and giving you the smartest option for your body.

A full tummy tuck surgery can sometimes take three, four, even five hours to perform. Skin must be slowly and carefully tightened while excess is trimmed off, and the belly button repositioned and shaped. Depending on the patient’s body, this can go on for quite a while. If your surgery takes four hours, for example, your surgeon is not likely to add the time needed to perform the liposuction, due to safety concerns.

Many tummy tucks do successfully include liposuction, particularly for people at a healthy weight who will require shorter surgery times. If you would like to get liposuction done during your tummy tuck to help get rid of small amounts of excess fat, speak with your surgeon. He or she will be able to tell you whether that is a realistic expectation or not. Typically liposuction is performed first when there are multiple cosmetic surgeries, so that skin can be formed over the new body shape tightly.