A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a very popular procedure. It is meant to remove excess skin and fat of the abdominal wall. Especially in the area below the belly button. It’s a complex operation that also entails tightening the muscle of the abdominal wall. It also requires a very aesthetic restoration of the belly button or umbilicus. Done properly it’s a very beneficial and rewarding procedure.
Occasionally and more often than not, there is an inquiry to perform an additional body contouring procedure. Especially a buttock augmentation. Patients inquire: is it possible to remove the skin and fat from the lower abdomen? And, use the fat to augment the buttocks?
This is not feasible. Fat transfer is a slightly more reliable procedure than it initially was. This is because of the preparation of the fat that is taken out. We must prepare and filter the fat in a special way. And, even some additives are put in to maximize the survival in its new recipient site. For example – in the buttocks.
Tummy Tuck and Fat Transfer
Also, the recovery requirements for each procedure are somewhat competing for healing. The tummy tuck requires mostly a flexed position. For several days in order to minimize the stress on the long lower abdominal incision site. This requires sitting or lying on the buttocks. This constant pressure on the buttocks works against maintaining the fat in its optimal location. And, it may reduce the blood supply necessary for the fat to survive. Therefore, I prefer to perform the abdominoplasty first. This is since it will provide a much more dramatic improvement than the buttock augmentation alone.
I would wait up to three months between procedures. And, then take the donor fat from wherever else it could be harvested, filtered, separated, and reinjected into the buttocks. This will allow maximization of postoperative care. Also, it reduces the likelihood of loss of the new buttock fat. This procedure process is in my opinion in the patient’s best interest.
THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
