What is Lipo 360?
Lipo 360, commonly referred to as “360-degree liposuction,” is a comprehensive body contouring procedure. It targets multiple areas of the midsection to achieve a more circumferential, aesthetically pleasing body contour. Unlike traditional liposuction which might focus on a single area like the abdomen or the flanks, lipo 360 involves removing excess fat from around the entire circumference of the torso — including the abdomen, waist, love handles (flanks), and back.
Classic Liposuction Vs. Lipo 360
Classic liposuction and lipo 360 are both effective cosmetic procedures for removing excess fat, but they target different areas and serve different aesthetic goals. Classic liposuction removes fat from specific areas of the body. It is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures worldwide. Liposuction can be applied to various parts of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, chin, and neck. The focus is usually on one or a few specific areas where fat is stubborn or disproportionate.
Lipo 360 is a more comprehensive form of liposuction that targets the midsection from all angles, hence the “360” descriptor. This procedure targets the entire torso to achieve a more complete and balanced appearance. It is particularly effective for individuals looking for a significant reshaping that encompasses the entire midsection, often sought by those desiring a more defined waistline and a smoother transition between their upper and lower body.
Main Benefits of Lipo 360
- Aesthetic improvement: Lipo 360 offers a significant transformation in body shape, providing a more balanced and proportionate appearance.
- Enhanced contouring: By treating multiple areas, lipo 360 can create a more natural, smooth contour rather than focusing on isolated spots, avoiding unevenness.
- Significant impact: Lipo 360 creates a dramatic improvement. While liposuction can be transformative, lipo 360 works the entire midsection, providing a significant change in a single surgery.
- Convenience: Treating multiple areas in one session means a single recovery period and potentially lower overall costs and downtime compared to multiple separate liposuction procedures.
- Alleviate transition areas: When multiple lipo surgeries are performed by different doctors, it can create noticeable transition areas that can make it more obvious that you had work done. Lipo 360 creates a seamless torso without transition areas.
Are You a Good Candidate for Lipo 360?
To be a good candidate you should be:
- Close to your ideal body weight
- A nonsmoker
- In need of fat removal only—liposuction will not remove excess skin
- In good general health and have any ongoing medical conditions such as hypertension under control
- Realistic in your expectations of what the surgery can and can’t do
- Looking for targeted fat removal rather than overall weight loss
- Willing and able to devote the necessary time to recovery and follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions
How Lipo 360 Surgery Works
Lipo 360 uses the same technique as traditional liposuction. It involves the use of a cannula (a thin, hollow tube) inserted under the skin to suction out fat. In general, the procedure goes as follows:
- Your surgeon will mark your body where they plan to remove excess fat. They will likely do this while you are standing up.
- After marking, you will be prepped for surgery and placed under general anesthesia.
- Small incisions will be made in discreet locations around your midsection. Whenever possible, a skilled surgeon will hide the incisions within the natural contours of your body.
- Tumescent fluid is introduced to the area. Consisting mostly of numbing agents, this fluid impregnates the fat so that it swells and is easier to safely remove. It also reduces postsurgical pain.
- A cannula is inserted through the incisions. The surgeon uses the cannula to loosen and suction out excess fat around the entire torso, including the abdomen, waist, flanks, and back.
- Your incisions will be closed and you will be monitored in the recovery room as you come out of anesthesia.
Frequently Asked Questions
All surgeries carry a degree of risk, including lipo 360. Your surgeon takes steps to manage these risks, however, and keep you safe during surgery. The most common risk associated with lipo 360 is extreme bruising. This is more extensive in patients who take anti-inflammatory medications prior to surgery, which is why Mia Aesthetics requires patients to avoid taking ibuprofen for 30 days before surgery.
Infection after surgery is another risk and one which many surgeons mitigate by prescribing a course of antibiotics to all of their patients after a procedure. General anesthesia also carries some inherent risks which you can avoid by opting for awake liposuction.
More generally, surgeons try and avoid lipo 360 complications by performing a detailed medical evaluation to ensure that patients are good candidates for the procedure. Patients who smoke are advised to quit well in advance of surgery as smoking can significantly impair healing and increase the risk of complications.
Using advanced liposuction technology, such as ultrasound-assisted or laser-assisted devices, can help with more precise fat removal and potentially reduce trauma to the surrounding tissues. Careful monitoring and management of fluid intake and output during surgery helps avoid fluid overload or dehydration, which can affect blood pressure and kidney function.
Lipo 360, as with any surgical procedure that involves incisions, can result in some scarring, but the extent and visibility of the scars are typically minimal and well-managed. The surgery does involve making several small incisions around the treated areas, but these incisions are typically only three to four millimeters in length.
Surgeons strategically place these incisions in less visible areas or within natural body creases to minimize visible scarring. Common sites might include near the belly button, along the bikini line, or under the crease of the buttocks.
Remember that scars fade over time, and with proper care and scar treatments they can become nearly invisible.
Yes! As long as your surgeon approves it, you can combine another procedure with your lipo 360 surgery. A lipo 360 with BBL combo is very popular and among our most requested surgeries. Another option is a lipo 360/tummy tuck combo.
For patients concerned about wrinkled or loose skin after lipo 360, we recommend talking to your plastic surgeon about whether adding J-Plasma to your surgery is a good idea.