Some patients who schedule a consultation for a tummy tuck also are concerned about their flanks, often called love handles. In many patients, liposuction of the flanks is very effective to remove excess fat. Or if the flank is a low roll of skin, it can be addressed with a regular extended abdominoplasty that just continues the scar fairly low around to the back. Occasionally, a patient will be seen with a lot of excess skin on the sides but rather than low, it is somewhat high on the flanks. This skin cannot be excised with a low scar hidden by underwear. During our consultation, I explained to this patient that she would only see a 30 to 40 percent improvement with liposuction. To see a tremendous improvement in the shape of her trunk, she was willing to have an oblique scar across her back. Notice there is a light skin “halo” around her scars, and this is because she has been using tape for better scar quality. These postoperative photos are only four months after her surgery so will continue to see improvement as her swelling decreases. She is ecstatic about her shape and what was accomplished.
Surgeon: Dr. Thomas Hubbard
Case Number: 727
