Why Abdominoplasty When You Have Liposuction?

Abstract

A retrospective study of 100 patients who underwent abdominal liposuction under local anesthesia from 1991 to 1995 is presented. All patients were overweight and had redundant abdominal skin fold. With the advent of superficial liposuction plus adequate and strict garment usage in the postoperative period we believe that abdominoplasty is rarely indicated in this type of patient. There is marked abdominal skin retraction after superficial liposuction. The results are excellent as can be seen with pre- and postoperative photographs. By avoiding abdominoplasty some complications can be minimized, such as pulmonary embolism, pulmonary fat embolism, and hypovolemic shock, as well as “minor” complications like anemia, blood transfusion, long scars (stigma), wound dehiscence, hematomas, seromas, atelectasis, and nerve damage. With liposuction, general anesthesia, with long and painful recovery and time away from work, may be avoided. Patients are very grateful when they are told that their abdominal deformity can be corrected with no major risks, and with fast recovery.