Lipo-Abdominoplasty
Conveniently located to serve Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland
At the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery, your satisfaction is our top priority. We provide personalized care with Dr. Shah, experiences staff, and 24/7 surgeon accessibility to ensure you feel supported before, during, and after surgery. Let us help you transition to a new, confident you.
What is a Lipo-Abdominoplasty
Lipo-abdominoplasty, also known as a “Marriage” Abdominoplasty, combines a traditional tummy tuck, which includes tightening the loose six-pack muscles and removing excess abdominal skin, and liposuction. The two procedures are combined to enhance the results of this body contouring procedure.
What are the benefits of a Lipo-Abdominoplasty?
The Lipo-Abdominoplasty procedure is a highly effective body contouring treatment that combines liposuction with a tummy tuck. A traditional tummy tuck alone can flatten and smooth the abdomen by tightening the underlying muscles, removing excess skin, and eliminating stretch marks below the belly button. However, it may not fully define the waistline if there is significant fat in the upper abdomen, flanks, or back.
Lipo-Abdominoplasty addresses this by first removing excess fat from the upper abdomen, waist, back, and bra rolls through liposuction, then performing the tummy tuck to tighten muscles and remove extra skin. This combination allows for a more sculpted waist, a smoother abdominal contour, and a dramatic overall improvement in body shape.
Is it safe to combine Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck (Lipo-Abdominoplasty)?
Yes, combining liposuction with a tummy tuck is considered safe for appropriately selected patients. This dogma remained in place for many years, limiting the cosmetic outcome patients would receive from a tummy tuck or forcing them to undergo two separate procedures to improve their body contour. New studies regarding the blood supply after tummy tuck and liposuction, and the safety of combining these procedures, have demonstrated that you can get dramatically better results while keeping patients safe. Lipo-Abdominoplasty has been one of the most significant advances in cosmetic body contouring surgery in the last decade!
Candidacy for Lipo-Abdominoplasty
Ideal candidates for this body contouring surgery typically present with excess abdominal skin and localized fat deposits that have not responded to conservative treatments. Muscle separation or weakness in the abdominal wall, often resulting from pregnancy or significant weight changes, also indicates potential candidacy for this procedure.
Patients should maintain a stable weight within 10-15 pounds of their goal weight and possess adequate skin elasticity for optimal healing outcomes. Good overall physical health is essential, along with a non-smoking status or willingness to cease smoking before and after surgery.
The Lipo-Abdominoplasty Surgical Process
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia for patient comfort and surgical precision. A carefully planned incision is made low on the abdomen, typically extending from hip to hip, positioned to remain concealed beneath undergarments.
Advanced liposuction techniques remove excess fat from the abdomen, flanks, and surrounding areas while sculpting the waistline. This step allows for more precise body contouring than traditional abdominoplasty methods. The abdominal muscles receive attention next, repairing any separation or weakness (diastasis recti) that may have occurred due to pregnancy or weight fluctuations. This may improve abdominal tone and contour and create a flatter abdominal profile.
Excess skin removal follows, with careful excision of redundant tissue and repositioning of the remaining skin for a smooth, natural appearance. The procedure concludes with meticulous closure using advanced suturing techniques. Post-operative monitoring takes place in our accredited facility, with detailed recovery instructions provided to optimize healing and results.
How long is the recovery after a Lipo-Abdominoplasty?
Most patients resume light daily activities within 1–2 weeks. Light exercise, such as walking, can usually begin around two weeks, jogging around four weeks, and full activities, including heavy exercise, at six weeks.
You will see immediate results, but the final results will take a few months to appear until all swelling has resolved. Numbness of the treatment areas will also take a couple of months to resolve.
While you will begin to enjoy the early benefits of the procedure immediately, your enjoyment of your new figure will only increase with time as you see the possible dramatic changes.
Cost Factors for Lipo-Abdominoplasty
The cost of Lipo-Abdominoplasty varies based on several factors, including surgeon fees, anesthesia, and facility charges. The extent of correction required and post-operative care also influence the total. Some patients may require additional procedures, affecting the overall cost. You can check procedure pricing and explore financing options during your consultation.
Why choose the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery for your LIpo-Abdominoplasty?
Dr. Bivik Shah and Dr. Alexandre Prassinos at the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery specialize in all aspects of cosmetic body contouring surgery and the specialized field of body contouring after significant weight loss. Their leadership in this field and extensive experience mean you will have access to all available options for optimal results from your body contouring procedures. Delivered in our accredited facilities, your care aims to provide the best outcomes and a safe, pleasant experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lipo-Abdominoplasty differ from traditional tummy tuck surgery?
Traditional abdominoplasty focuses on skin removal and muscle repair. Lipo-Abdominoplasty incorporates advanced liposuction techniques to provide superior body contouring while preserving more blood supply to the tissues, resulting in enhanced healing and more natural-looking results.
If you would like to discuss chemical peels for facial rejuvenation at our office serving Dayton, Columbus, and all of Ohio, contact plastic surgeon Bivik Shah today for a consultation.
What is the typical duration of the surgical procedure?
The procedure generally requires three to four hours, depending on the extent of correction needed and individual anatomical factors. Our surgeons prioritize surgical precision and safety over speed to achieve optimal outcomes.
Will scarring be visible after surgery?
Surgical incisions result in permanent scars, though advanced closure techniques and strategic incision placement minimize visibility. Scars typically fade over time and can be concealed beneath standard undergarments or swimwear.
MEDIUM CHEMICAL PEELS
Trichloroacetic acids (TCA) is used for medium depth chemical peels. These chemical peels are a more permanent form of facial rejuvenation that effectively reduces fine lines and wrinkles without a need to regularly repeat the procedure. TCA peels usually only require two or three treatments over the course of a couple months to achieve the desired result. Most patients require little or no anesthesia during this 15 minute procedure. The TCA solution also has a numbing effect on the skin that further lessens the likelihood that anesthesia will need to be used. The strength of these versatile and effective chemical peels can be adjusted by Dr. Shah for a facial rejuvenation that is specifically designed for you. If you would like to learn more, our Columbus, Ohio staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
DEEP CHEMICAL PEELS
Deep chemical peels utilize phenol acid, the strongest solution available for this type of procedure. Patients with coarse wrinkles or blotchiness many times require the deepest types of chemical peels to achieve success in facial rejuvenation procedures. Our staff has the experience necessary to safely and effectively analyze your case and properly treat your skin.
Full-face chemical peels of this type are performed in our Columbus, Ohio surgical suite. They typically take 1 to 2 hours. Every measure will be taken by our staff to ensure your comfort during this time. If the area being treated is small, such as the upper lip, the procedure may take only 10 to 15 minutes.
Can I combine Lipo-Abdominoplasty with other procedures?
Many patients choose to combine their abdominoplasty with additional body procedures, such as breast surgery or other body procedures for women. The safety and appropriateness of combination surgeries are evaluated during your consultation.
When do final results become apparent?
Initial improvements are visible immediately, though final results typically develop over three to six months as swelling resolves and tissues settle into their new contours.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Discover how Lipo-Abdominoplasty can address your abdominal concerns through a comprehensive surgical approach. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. The team at Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery provides detailed evaluations and personalized treatment planning for patients throughout Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
