Lipoabadominoplasty

By Jerome Edelstein, MD

The ever expanding field of cosmetic surgery now offers a procedure that uses the techniques of the classic tummy tuck and liposuction of the abdomen referred to as lipoabdominoplasty. This combination can now be effectively performed without the unfortunate complications that tended to go hand and hand with the original tummy tuck operation, such as tissue loss and bleeding.

Dr. Edelstein discusses the benefits liposuction can have when performed simultaneously with a tummy tuck.
There is no additional fee for liposuction accompanying abdominoplasty in the abdominal area. This is because we believe that lipoabdominoplasty is a superior technique to traditional abdominoplasty for the appropriate patients. In fact, your tummy tuck doctor Dr. Edelstein has exclusively been performing lipoabdominoplasty since he started in practice.

There are multiple benefits associated with lipoabdominoplasty including a better end result that compliments the silhouette with more fat removal, closure of the musculature, and less loose skin. It is all done safely alongside liposuction with a shorter recovery period.

In a study performed by JR Kanjoor, AK Singh published in the Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, the results of a group of patients who underwent the lipoabdominoplasty procedure were documented. The average patient age was 43 with the youngest being 29 and the oldest 72. Out of the group, 94% were of normal weight. An astounding 94% of the patients achieved satisfactory results from surgery. As a result, it was determined that tummy tuck with liposuction (specifically liposuction combined with a limited dissection method in typical abdominoplasty) consistently yielded safe, reliable and positive aesthetic results, including a faster recovery with fewer complications.ADVANTAGES OF TUMMY TUCK LIPOSUCTIONThe benefits of choosing a lipoabdominoplasty over a traditional abdominoplasty are vast and varied and include:

*Better shaping of the abdomen: combining liposuction with a tummy tuck can achieve a more uniform contour of the treated area.
*Less postoperative complications: precise surgical technique allows for the preservation of at least 80% of the abdominal wall’s blood supply due to fewer blood vessels affected, and the majority of lymphatic vessels are also preserved.
*Reduced chance of postoperative numbness: less trauma to the targeted area and less disruption in blood supply mean that the risk of numbness is reduced.
*Smaller scar: while abdominoplasty alone tends to require a large incision, the length of the scar can often be shortened to some degree by applying liposuction. Liposuction only requires an incision just large enough for a cannula, typically just a few millimetres in length. Through this incision the removal of fat is possible without more extensive incisions, minimizing scarring.
*Minimal bruising, pain and swelling with an overall quicker recovery time