Tummy tuck with Liposuction Improves Abdominal Contours, North Carolina*

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty involves removal of mostly infra-umbilical skin from the lower abdomen and correction of a diastases if present. Liposuction can be added safely depending on the patient's health and the aggressiveness of the treatment. It is typically performed in the flanks but sometimes in the abdomen to improve contour. In the past, liposuction of the abdomen during abdominoplasty was considered contraindicated as it was felt to cause damage to the underlying blood vessels which are necessary for the healing of the abdominoplasty incision. Certainly this is still a concern but newer techniques and improved knowledge of anatomy has allowed plastic surgeons to become more aggressive with liposuction. Safety concerns are still very prominent and caution still must be utilized to avoid compromise of the blood flow. Normally, the blood flow to the lower abdominal skin comes directly through perforating blood vessels through the abdominal wall including the rectus muscle. During a tummy tuck, These vessels are no longer present and the blood flow that must reach the central lower abdominal incision comes from lateral blood supply. Therefore, liposuction to the lateral abdomen and flanks could potentially disrupt these blood vessels. Thankfully this is not as much of concern but still requires judicious use of liposuction and care in location and amount of the fat removal. Some patients-such as smokers or patients with hypertension may not be suitable