Liposuction? or Tummy tuck?-Depends On Anatomy, Raleigh, NC*

Many patients come in desiring improvements in their abdomen and hopeful to have liposuction. While liposuction is a very effective technique to reduce excess fat deposits and sculpt the abdominal features it does not address loose skin and significantly overhanging pannus. Some patients are borderline and could be a candidate for either. This patient was 56 years old and very fit and athletic but had had several childbirths that affected her abdominal contour. Although her skin tone was pretty good and she did not have significant pannus she did have a significant diastasis rectus which really bothered her and she was never able to get her abdomen is flat as she would like despite exercise. From a skin tone and fat deposit standpoint she would've done well with liposuction but it would not have addressed her diastases. She therefore underwent a full abdominoplasty with diastases repair and some liposuction of her flanks. She was very happy with the now flat abdomen, improved contour and no further bulging from a diastases. Every patient has to be individualized and although there are many modalities in liposuction to achieve a good result, individual anatomy has to be considered and the goals of the patient listened to very carefully to arrive at the proper operative plan.