A tummy tuck alone is a powerful surgery, but add 360 liposuction (also known as ten areas of lipo), and the results can be life-changing.
There are a few things that make someone perfect for a tummy tuck.
Does the patient have:
- A good waist?
- Low internal fat?
- Excess skin?
- Good quality skin in the upper abdomen?
- Diastasis
First, I always look for concave/convex lines through the waist and hips. Even with a lot of external fat, a patient can have a defined waist – it’s apparent if you can see clearly where the waist begins to taper in. Patients with a defined waist before surgery will have excellent results with a combined lipo and tummy tuck procedure.
Internal and External Fat
Internal and external fat are not made equal. I can remove external fat during surgery – that’s the stuff that’s obvious to the eye, but the internal fat lives around the organs and cannot be removed. This internal or visceral fat must be lost before surgery. The ideal candidate for this procedure will have low internal fat.
Excess Skin
Excess and good quality skin is paramount for a great tummy tuck result. Usually, this is the case if there is a lot of external fat. Sometimes there will be stretch marks on the lower belly, but if there is smooth, youthful skin higher up on the stomach, it makes for great results, as that smooth skin high on the abdomen is pulled down during the procedure.
Diastasis
Diastasis is the separation of the abdominal muscles that run vertically down the front of the stomach. These muscles can separate after pregnancy and cause the belly to protrude through. During a tummy tuck and liposuction, the tightening of the skin pulls these muscles together and gives a better overall look.
Each of these things impacts the outcome of a tummy tuck, and I want to emphasize the more work you put in before surgery (clean eating and exercise), the better you’ll look after!
