Can I have Liposuction and an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)?


Cosmetic Surgery Enquiry

Sometimes liposuction alone is not enough to give you the results that you desire. In this case, it may be that combining other treatments with liposuction can be more suitable for you. The most common procedural combination involving liposuction is the combination of liposuction with an abdominoplasty. An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction to help you to lose more fat, and give you more dramatic toned results.

Considering an Abdominoplasty with Liposuction

If you are considering combining an abdominoplasty with liposuction there are certain factors of which you should be aware. An abdominoplasty is an extremely invasive and complex operation that can have a recovery time of up to three months. This makes it a much more drastic body shaping measure than liposuction itself. You will be required to have a general anaesthetic, which itself comes with more risks and will have a large scar between your hipbones.

When to Consider Combining Liposuction with an Abdominoplasty

A combination of liposuction and an abdominoplasty is usually considered when you require a large amount of fat to be removed. This is not possible with liposuction alone, as the treatment would leave large flaps of loose skin. However, when used alongside an abdominoplasty the excess skin is removed during the procedure.

The Procedure for Combining Liposuction with an Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty is an invasive surgery in which the navel is removed so that the muscles of the stomach can be tightened. This will require an overnight stay in hospital and the treatment will last for up to four hours under a general anaesthetic. During an abdominoplasty, it is possible for the surgeon to insert a cannula into one of the incisions and remove the fat from the abdomen using liposuction.

Recovery from an Abdominoplasty and Liposuction

Recovering from an abdominoplasty is a lengthy process, which far outweighs the stress of recovery from liposuction. You will need to take at least two weeks off work for the initial recovery period and some people require up to a month of relaxation before they are able to work, You should follow an exercise plan after surgery to help with the recovery although this should be very mild and gentle to avoid injury. The full recovery time can take up to three months during which time you will not be able to participate in heavy activities or heavy lifting. Scarring from an abdominoplasty is much greater than that of liposuction surgery. These scars will fade over the eighteen months after your surgery but will always be visible.

Advantages of an Abdominoplasty with Liposuction

The main benefit of combining an abdominoplasty with liposuction is that you are able to achieve much better results than you would with liposuction alone. An abdominoplasty tones the muscles beneath the fat that is removed meaning that your body is overall more toned.

An abdominoplasty also removes any flaps of excess skin that can be left when fat is removed from the body. This can give you a more natural appearance making the results of your surgery more appealing.

Disadvantages of an Abdominoplasty with Liposuction

An abdominoplasty is a severe operation, which causes a lot of trauma to your body and as a result requires a long time to heal. This means that the complications of liposuction are added to by the complications of abdominoplasty.

You are more likely to lose too much blood or gain an infection if you combine the two treatments. You will also be left with a large scar between your hips although this is normally concealable below your pant line.

You will also require much more down time if you combine the two treatments, this can mean taking up to a month off work, and you may need someone to help you to get about for the first week or two.

The cost of an abdominoplasty is also much higher than that of liposuction alone. Combined the treatments can cost up to £10,000 making them a heavy burden to your finances.

Further Articles