Body Procedure FAQs

There will be a scar around the belly button and another horizontal scar located low on the abdomen, usually extending hip bone to hip bone. Every effort is made to locate the horizontal scar low enough so it is hidden by swimsuits and undergarments, but this can depend on how much extra skin you have.

It is best to be at a stable weight which you can maintain after surgery for an iTuck® procedure. It is best not to gain or lose significant amounts of weight after the procedure. Patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35 are not good candidates for the iTuck® procedure, and would be best served with weight loss preoperatively.

The iTuck® is not a weight loss operation even though skin and fat are removed during the procedure. Generally, this is not enough to yield a significant weight change. However, many patients do lose weight after the surgery due to changes in eating habits and exercise. The visible changes in body shape, removal of excess skin, and a firmer, tighter abdomen resulting from the iTuck® frequently motivate many patients to lose additional weight through diet and exercise after surgery.

Liposuction of the hip and flank area is a standard component of the iTuck® and is included, at no extra charge, with the operation.

This choice is best determined during the consultation. The capabilities of the mini tummy tuck operation are less than the standard procedure or iTuck®, but in the right patient a shorter scar and quicker recovery can be achieved. Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati always use the least invasive operation which will achieve the surgical goals.

If you maintain your weight, the result of liposuction should change very little over time. Although, natural changes with aging to the skin and fat will still occur.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no - it depends on the area being treated, how much fat is removed, and how well the skin retracts. Liposuction makes contour changes to the treated area(s), but it is not a weight loss method.

Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati prefer the Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) system. The PAL vibrates the liposuction cannula back and forth very quickly, allowing multiple smaller strokes with each full stroke of the cannula. Our practice has used PAL technology since the late 1990s with great success. Compared to standard liposuction, PAL minimizes trauma to the tissue, resulting in less bruising and swelling.

In contrast, ultrasonic and laser liposuction add heat energy to the process. This added heat is not necessary for fat removal and can lead to abnormal scarring and a greater risk of skin irregularities. Therefore, we believe PAL is the superior method for achieving optimal results with minimal complications.

Technologies involving ultrasound, laser, and cold therapy are available to dissolve fat. While each of these methods works differently, they generally result in only a small amount of fat removal and are limited to treating small areas. These methods also require significant treatment times and usually multiple sessions to achieve noticeable results.

Additionally, cold therapy for fat dissolution has been associated with a serious complication known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, where the treated fat enlarges rather than decreases in size. Given these limitations and potential risks, liposuction remains the most effective and reliable method for significant fat removal and body contouring.

While combining Mommy Makeover surgeries into one operation means you'll only have one recovery period, it may be slightly longer or more challenging than recovering from a single procedure. Additionally, the risk of blood clots in your legs likely increases when multiple procedures are combined. Preventative measures are taken during surgery to minimize this risk, but it is crucial for the patient to walk and move around after surgery to further reduce the chance of developing blood clots.

The number of body contouring operations needed depends on how many areas are affected and the amount of excess skin present. Most individuals who have lost 100 pounds or more will benefit from several operations to achieve the best shape. These procedures are usually performed one or two at a time, with several months of recovery between each session.

The most common areas addressed after massive weight loss are the abdomen, breasts, arms, and thighs. Many patients also choose to improve the contour of their neck as part of their body contouring plan.

Yes, it is efficient to combine two or more procedures together, but this must be done judiciously always keeping safety in mind. Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati prefer to keep all body contouring operations in an outpatient setting.

Two factors determine the amount of size increase. First, the amount of available donor fat. If you are a slender person, there may not be much available donor fat and therefore only a modest size increase may be possible. Second, the amount of fat which can be transferred in a single procedure may be limited by the ability of the skin to stretch during the procedure. This will also vary from patient to patient.

For most patients, performing the procedure once is adequate. However, some patients may benefit from repeating the operation.

The scar is located along the crease on the inside of the arm and usually extends from the armpit down to the elbow. The goal is to have the scar hidden when your arm is at your side.