Can You Combine Liposuction With a Tummy Tuck?

Sometimes, diet and exercise can only take you so far if you’re dealing with stubborn fat or stretched skin around your midsection. Combining a tummy tuck with liposuction could help bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Baltimore cosmetic surgeon Dr. Ronald H. Schuster has performed both procedures for years. He often recommends combining them for those who want more refined results. As a board-certified plastic surgeon and former Chief of the Plastic Surgery Division at Northwest Hospital Center, he brings surgical precision to every procedure.

Why Patients Choose to Combine These Surgeries

Liposuction and tummy tucks treat different issues. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes loose skin and tightens stretched abdominal muscles. Liposuction removes the tricky fat deposits that you’ve been unable to get rid of on your own. Together, these procedures can reshape your abdomen more completely than either can do on its own. Liposuction is frequently performed to the waist and back, in addition to the abdomen, at the time of a tummy tuck. This is done to enhance the entire “torso” and is often referred to as “Lipo 360” as it goes all the way around, 360 degrees, the body.

When you combine liposuction with a tummy tuck, you only need one surgery and one recovery. Plus, you get more dramatic results. If you’ve had kids, lost weight, or just feel like your midsection doesn’t match the rest of your body, this combination might be the right fit for you.

Dr. Schuster’s Approach to Liposuction and Tummy Tuck Surgery

Dr. Schuster offers two types of liposuction: tumescent and ultrasonic-assisted. Tumescent liposuction uses a fluid mixture to make fat removal easier and more comfortable. Ultrasonic liposuction uses sound waves to break up fat before it’s removed, which is especially useful in harder-to-treat areas.

When it comes to tummy tucks, Dr. Schuster performs mini, full, and circumferential procedures, depending on how much skin and muscle correction you need. In many cases, liposuction is used alongside a tummy tuck to sculpt your waist, hips, or upper abdomen.

Combining the Procedures

If you opt to have both surgeries, Dr. Schuster will perform them in one operation under general anesthesia. While recovery may feel more intense at first compared to having just one procedure, most patients find it easier than going through two separate surgeries and healing periods. 

You’ll go home with detailed recovery instructions and can expect a few weeks of downtime as your body adjusts and heals.

Is This Combination Right for You?

Every patient is different, and the best way to know whether combining liposuction and a tummy tuck makes sense is to meet with Dr. Schuster in person. He will listen to your goals, assess your anatomy, and help you decide on a treatment plan.

Contact our office to schedule your initial consultation at 410-593-0691.