Liposuction to the flanks, or “love handles,” is a popular procedure for men and women. It can be performed alone or in conjunction with other procedures.
The flanks are located on either side of the lower abdomen, just above the hip bones. They are commonly referred to as “love handles” because they are often the last place to go when weight loss occurs, tummy tuck with lipo 360, liposuction and tummy tuck difference, liposuction with tummy tuck cost, and so much more.
The procedure involves inserting a cannula into the subcutaneous tissue of the flank and suctioning out fat cells. A small incision is made on each side of the body to allow access to the fatty tissue. Liposuction is usually performed under local anesthesia and recovery time is usually 1-2 weeks depending on how much fat was removed from each side of the body.
Lipo To Flanks With Tummy Tuck
While a standard tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal region, a full abdominoplasty removes fat from the abdomen, the sides, and the back as well.
The incision circles the lower abdomen and back.
Safety
An extended tummy tuck is safe to use. There is always a possibility of complications during surgery.
After surgery, there is always a chance of complications like swelling, fluid accumulation, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and numbness.
Convenience
To have a tummy tuck done, patients are taken to a hospital and put to sleep.
It is unlikely that medical insurance would cover a procedure if it was considered elective.
The search for a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon who can be relied upon is essential.
Cost
Location, extent of surgery, and number of abdominal muscles all play a role in determining how much money you can expect to spend on a tummy tuck.
Usually, you can expect to pay between $4,000 and $18,000.
Effectiveness
Studies have shown that the vast majority of patients who undergo an extended tummy tuck are happy with the results.
What exactly is a longer tummy tuck?
An extended tummy tuck is a form of abdominoplasty that is similar to a traditional tummy tuck but also removes fat and skin from the flanks (love handles) between the waist and the hips. Excess skin on the thighs can also be removed during an extended tummy tuck procedure.
Extensive tummy tucks are best for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and have excess skin, or for those who want to reduce the appearance of their stomach and flanks.
How much does an extended tummy tuck cost?
Tummy tuck prices can change based on factors like the area being worked on, the amount of fat present, and the skill level of the operating surgeon. Tummy tucks usually cost between $4,000 and $18,000.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average price of a tummy tuck (standard length) in 2019 was $6,092. A more extensive tummy tuck will likely cost more than a standard one. Not included in this estimate are fees for anesthesia, use of an operating room, or anything else that might be necessary in addition to the actual procedure itself.
Tummy tucks are typically performed for purely cosmetic reasons, so insurance will not cover the surgery. Tummy tucks have the potential to alleviate some types of back pain and incontinence. You’ll probably need to take a few days off of work, too, to rest and recuperate.
How does an extended tummy tuck work?
A loose or torn abdominal muscle can be fixed during an extended tummy tuck, along with any excess skin and fat. Skin and fat are removed from the stomach and flanks through an incision made above the pubic hairline and continuing around to the lower back. A flatter, smoother appearance is achieved by laying the skin flat and reconnecting the belly button.
Twenty-five people who had extensive tummy tuck surgery in a 2012 study found that they were “extremely satisfied” with the results.
Procedure for extended tummy tuck
An incision is made low in the pubic region, between the hip bones, during a full tummy tuck. After a C-section, a tummy tuck may require reopening the incision.
When muscles have become separated, as can happen during pregnancy, they can be sewn back together to create the appearance of a taut body. Repairing diastasis recti, or separation of the abdominal muscles, is possible through a full tummy tuck procedure.
Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat, and the belly button will be removed if necessary.
The skin on the stomach and sides will be tightened after excess tissue is removed.
Last but not least, the belly button is sutured back into its usual position, unless you and your surgeon have decided to alter its appearance.
Extended tummy tuck focus areas
Sometimes the uppermost lateral part of the thigh is also addressed during a full thigh tuck.
Are there any risks or side effects?
As with all surgery, there are some risks and side effects associated with extended tummy tucks. One study found that 8.5 percentTrusted Source of people who underwent tummy tuck surgery were re-administered into the hospital because of some kind of complication. These complications and side effects may include:
numbness after surgery, which is typically temporary
excess fluid or blood pooling in the belly
swelling and redness
internal organ puncture — while rare, could be caused by cannula (a tube that removes excess fluids from the body) penetrating too deeply and potentially puncturing an organ
What to expect after an extended tummy tuck
Your surgeon or nurse should brief you on what to expect after surgery including:
what activities to avoid and how long
if and when you can consume alcohol and certain medications or supplements
how long to wear your compression garment
how to manage your drainage tubes, if your surgeon uses them
when to schedule a follow-up appointment
You will be able to see some results immediately, though your abdominal area will be swollen and bandaged. For the first few weeks, you will likely be advised to rest at an angle and avoid strenuous activity or lifting heavy things.
Around the 2- to 3-month mark, most of the swelling will likely have gone down, though you may still see some scarring, which should lighten over time. After 6 months to a year, you will see the full results, which should be permanent unless you gain weight quickly or have a pregnancy.
Before and after pictures
It’s helpful to see photos from people who have had extended tummy tucks when deciding if the procedure is right for you. Check out before and after photos below:
Preparing for an extended tummy tuck
Before your extended tummy tuck, you’ll likely need to get a blood panel to make sure you’re in good health. You will also want to meet with your surgeon to discuss what to expect. Also, you will need to arrange a ride home.
You may also be told to:
stop smoking
limit alcohol
stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs (like aspirin) and certain herbal supplements, which could potentially worsen bleeding or prevent proper clotting
Extended tummy tuck vs. traditional tummy tuck
An extended tummy tuck and a traditional tummy tuck are very similar procedures. The main difference is that an extended tummy tuck addresses the flanks, also known as love handles, between the waist and hip. Because of the additional procedure, an extended tummy tuck is often more expensive, takes longer to complete, and may require a longer recovery time post-surgery.
How to find a provider
An extended tummy tuck should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. You can use the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Find a Surgeon Tool tool to find a list of board-certified plastic surgeons near you.
Tummy Tuck With Lipo 360
Tummy Tuck 360 is an advanced approach to body sculpting. As you can see in before-and-after photos, Tummy Tuck 360 literally sculpts the body to create waist definition, defined curves, and a flat tummy. A tummy tuck 360 can correct excess abdominal skin and fat while simultaneously using High Definition Liposuction to define a pre-conceived ideal form.
A Comprehensive Tummy Tuck Procedure
Like a sculptor considers all sides and angles of their pieces, the 360 Tummy Tuck procedure treats the body circumferentially. Unlike traditional tummy tuck surgery in which the patient is simply on their back, the patient is turned during the procedure to define the waist and literally shape the body from all sides. It would be impossible to “sculpt” if the subject is only in one position.
By removing the fatty tissue from different areas, the underlying anatomy can be defined. For example, the fatty tissue in the lower back blunts the waist and creates a squareness to the buttocks. By understanding the anatomy three-dimensionally, the “frame,” the muscular definition can be uncovered to reveal natural curves. The results you see are not the result of weight loss. The dramatic change in the body is the result of removing fat selectively to reveal the body underneath.
Traditional vs High Definition Liposuction: What is the Difference?
It is often confusing with all the different “types” of liposuction machines (including ultrasound-assisted, laser lipo, tickle lipo, power-assisted, or water-assisted liposuction) to understand how each liposuction technique is different. It is also confusing to understand how Tummy Tuck 360 with High Definition Liposuction is different from traditional liposuction.
Simply put, High Definition Liposuction is a completely different approach to liposuction. Traditional liposuction surgery removes fat. Each “type” or machine uses some type of energy (heat, laser, ultrasonic, water-jet, vibration, nutational energy) to make it easier to mobilize and remove fat. Some work faster, some require longer recovery. All “types” of liposuction have the same goal: fat removal.
High Definition Liposuction is a sculpting approach, not a reductive procedure. Fat is layered on the body frame and muscles. The fatty tissue layer under the skin provides essential padding but also defines curves. The High Definition liposuction approach starts with the end in mind: the desired shape after recovery. The approach is to start with the imagined result in mind and remove fat as needed to define the natural curves for each woman’s body.
tummy tuck 360 With High Definition Liposuction
The Perfect Pairing: the SMART Tummy Tuck and 360-Degree Liposuction – Body by Ravi
Dr. Ditesheim’s technique for tummy tuck 360s involves both the surgical removal of excess skin and excess fat and the tightening of loose abdominal muscles, and can also be used in a mini tummy tuck or extended tummy tuck. However, by applying the sculpting principle and body contouring procedures of High Definition Liposuction to abdominoplasty surgery, the patient is treated in different positions (on the back, on the tummy, or on the side) to continuously shape the body from every angle.
Many Tummy Tuck 360 procedures include not only abdominoplasty techniques but also liposuction to safely and effectively reveal muscle definition and create a fully contoured treatment area.
In some cases, fat may be added (for example, to the buttocks or breasts) to enhance shape. Fat transfer using High Definition Liposuction can also be used in standalone plastic surgery procedures such as a Brazilian butt lift or natural breast augmentation.
Liposuction And Tummy Tuck Difference
If you’re carrying extra weight around your midsection that you can’t seem to lose, you may be considering plastic surgery to help you get the lean physique you’re after. Lipo and tummy tucks are two popular procedures to address these concerns, but what are the differences between the two surgeries? In this post, we’ll talk about the differences between the two and how to tell which is right for you.
First, it’s important to know that these are not weight loss surgeries. Both liposuction and a tummy tuck are meant to sculpt the body, not reduce your weight.
What is Involved in a Tummy Tuck
During a tummy tuck, Dr. Ortiz will make a horizontal incision across your hips, between your pubic area and belly button. This incision allows him to repair the muscles by pulling them together and stitching them with medical-grade nylon.
Once the muscles are repaired, excess skin is trimmed away and the remaining skin is sutured together. The result is a flatter, smoother stomach with a faint scar across the hip area. The results of a tummy tuck can be permanent with proper diet and exercise. Substantial weight gain will undo the results of your tummy tuck.
Tummy tucks are more intensive procedures than liposuction. While lipo only removes excess fat, a tummy tuck reconstructs the muscles of the abdomen and removes excess skin.
Who is a Tummy Tuck For?
Tummy tucks are ideal for healthy people who have stubborn fat on their midsection that they cannot lose with diet and exercise. If your abdomen is sagging or protruding due to age, pregnancy, weight loss, or prior surgeries and you have no other health conditions, you are likely a good candidate for a tummy tuck.
Raleigh Liposuction Surgery
When compared to a tummy tuck, liposuction is a much more non-invasive procedure. Treatment is effective on stubborn fat deposits anywhere on the body, including the stomach, back, arms, legs, and even the chin.
The procedure involves injecting a saline, water, and anesthetic solution into the targeted fat cells. A cannula, which is essentially an IV needle, is then used to remove the excess fat. The end result is a slimmer, more toned body.
Contrary to popular belief, liposuction does not involve the removal of skin. For this reason, it is most effective for eliminating localized pockets of fat. It’s also vital to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss surgery and will not result in significant weight loss.
The fat cells are gone for good, but lipo won’t stop you from putting on weight again. You’ll want to stick to your new healthy eating and exercise routine if you want to keep your weight down.
Who is Lipo For?
Like a tummy tuck, a healthy person with stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet or exercise is likely a good candidate for liposuction.
A tummy tuck is the most effective procedure for tightening loose abdominal skin.
You may want to consider liposuction if you just have a few localized areas of fat storage in your abdominal region.