Abdominal Liposuction (Liposculpture) Guides

Abdominal Liposuction (Liposculpture)

Many men and women have pockets of unwanted stomach fat in that seems to be resistant to diet and exercise. Of all liposuction procedures, abdominal liposuction is the most common. It’s the perfect way to remove unwanted fat permanently, giving you the flatter, more contoured look you desire. Talk to a cosmetic surgery doctor or plastic surgery doctor to see if you're a good candidate for liposuction of the abs.

Depending on the volume of fat being removed from your abdomen and the amount of loose skin, your surgeon may opt to treat your tummy area with abdominal liposuction alone or in conjunction with a tummy tuck. Many techniques are available today, so it’s important to get as much information as you can from your surgeon.

In abdominal liposuction surgery, your surgeon will use an IV to administer fluids along with a light sedative. The most commonly used technique is the Tumescent, which involves making small incisions around your navel or below your bikini line. A small, tube-like instrument called a cannula is used to inject a solution of saline, anesthetic and epinephrine. This will promote swelling, making the fat easier to break up and suction out.

Other liposuction techniques include the Ultrasonic Assisted (UAL), where the cannula sends out sound waves to break up and melt the fat prior to suctioning. Some say the UAL reduces trauma, resulting in less bruising and blood loss. This technique is useful on fibrous areas of the body, such the upper abdomen and upper back, which are difficult to treat with traditional techniques. The Water Assisted (WAL) technique uses the cannula to send out a fan of water to break up the fat prior to removal, and the Power Assisted (PAL) technique involves a mechanized cannula that vibrates rapidly to break up and vacuum out the fat. All of these techniques are effective and permanent.

Liposculpture takes anywhere from one to four hours, depending on the amount of fat being removed. Your plastic surgeon will tape up your incisions and send you home wearing a compression garment to promote healing. You’ll also be prescribed medicine for pain, and most people return to work within a week. Read more about liposuction recovery.

Advantages of Abdominal Liposuction

• A trimmer abdominal area can improve your self-esteem
• Results are permanent
• Relatively little downtime, as compared to a tummy tuck

Disadvantages of Abdominal Liposuction

• There is risk of infection with any surgery, so you should be in good health
• You could have excessive swelling and bruising of the abdomen weeks after the procedure
• Puckering or dimpling of the skin, so make sure you choose a reputable surgeon