What is Lipo 360?
Lipo 360, also called 360-degree liposuction, is a body-contouring procedure that removes stubborn fat from multiple areas around the entire midsection during one surgery. Rather than treating a single isolated area, lipo 360 typically contours the abdomen, waist, flanks (love handles), and back together to create a smoother, more balanced waistline from every angle.
What Areas Does Lipo 360 Treat?
Treatment with lipo 360 is unique in that it targets multiple areas of the body at once. The procedure treats all of the following areas as needed:
- Upper abdomen
- Lower abdomen
- Left and right flanks/love handles
- Lower back
- Upper/mid-back
Although it could, your lipo 360 procedure won’t necessarily treat all of these areas. The exact treatment locations will depend on your specific needs and aesthetic goals. Every surgical plan is different because every body is unique.
Traditional Liposuction Vs. Lipo 360
Traditional liposuction removes targeted areas of excess fat from the body. It is one of the most performed plastic surgeries worldwide and targets many of the same areas as lipo 360. Additionally, it may address fat in the 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. It targets the midsection from all angles, hence the “360” descriptor. Rather than concentrating on one or two specific areas, lipo 360 focuses on the entire midsection, creating a more defined waistline and smoother transitions between the upper and lower body.
This chart provides a handy overview of the differences between the two procedures.
| Feature | Traditional Liposuction | Lipo 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment approach | One or several selected areas | Circumferential midsection |
| Common areas | Abdomen, thighs, arms, chin, etc. | Abdomen, flanks/waist and back |
| Main goal | Localized fat reduction | Cohesive torso/waist contour |
| Number of areas | Depends on patient | Multiple connected torso areas |
Main Benefits of Lipo 360
Most patients feel lipo 360 is a worthwhile investment. The few who don’t generally go into the surgery with unrealistic expectations and therefore come out disappointed. It’s important you understand the actual benefits of the procedure and don’t assume additional perks, like weight loss, will come along with it. (It won’t.) Here are the benefits you can actually expect:
- Circumferential fat reduction: Lipo 360 treats the torso from the front, sides, and back for an improved body contour from any angle. The result is a more significant visual impact.
- Improved waist definition: Reducing flank and back fat can make the waistline more apparent.
- Smoother transitions: Connected treatment areas are contoured together as part of one surgical plan, alleviating transition areas left behind by multiple surgeries or plastic surgeons.
- One surgical session: Multiple midsection areas can be treated together, often avoiding the need for multiple traditional liposuction surgeries.
- Can provide donor fat for fat transfer: Donor fat can be used for a BBL, breast augmentation, or other procedures.
Are You a Good Candidate for Lipo 360?
A strong lipo 360 candidate typically has localized subcutaneous fat around multiple parts of the torso despite being relatively close to a stable goal weight and having adequate skin elasticity. You should also be:
- 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 basic technique as traditional liposuction. It involves the use of a cannula (a thin, hollow tube) inserted under the skin to suction out fat. The primary difference is that your surgeon is working across multiple, connected anatomical zones to create a smooth contour and more cohesive result. It’s not about removing as much fat as possible — it’s about removing the right amount of fat from the proper places to create the desired result. In general, the procedure goes as follows:
- Your plastic 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, our skilled surgeons 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 power-assisted liposuction (PAL) cannula is inserted through the incisions. PAL helps your surgeon remove fat more effectively and efficiently. We use the smallest cannula possible to loosen and remove the fat.
- Your incisions will be closed, and you will be monitored in the recovery room as you come out of anesthesia.
Lipo 360 Limitations
Lipo 360 is a fantastic tool for patients who want to remove excess fat around their torso. If your goal is a cohesive look that looks good from every angle, this may be the surgery for you. But the procedure does have limitations. It does not correct:
- Loose/excess skin
- Abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti)
- Visceral fat
- Obesity
- Cellulite
If you have excess skin or diastasis recti, you may need a tummy tuck instead of or in addition to your lipo 360. Your surgical coordinator can help you determine where your issues lie and how best to treat them.
Frequently Asked Questions
All surgeries carry a degree of risk, including lipo 360. But your surgeon takes steps to manage these risks and keep you safe during surgery. At Mia Aesthetics, we use ultrasound-guided, power-assisted liposuction to allow for more precise fat targeting and reduce tissue trauma. We ask that patients refrain from taking ibuprofen immediately before and after surgery to reduce bruising and inflammation, and we will prescribe a course of antibiotics to help avoid post-op infections.
If you are concerned about the risks associated with general anesthesia, talk to your surgical coordinator about our awake liposuction option.
Every surgical procedure that involves an incision will leave a scar, but the scars from lipo 360 are typically minimal and well-camouflaged. 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 their appearance. 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.
It takes several months for residual swelling to ease and reveal your final surgical results, but you won’t be down and out for all that time. Most patients can return to desk jobs in a week or two, and you’ll be feeling like your old self again in about two to four weeks. Your normal exercise routine and more vigorous activity will need to wait for about four to six weeks, though, so make sure you don’t do too much too soon. You should expect a few weeks of swelling and bruising, and you will need to wear a compression garment for a time as dictated by your plastic surgeon.
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.
The answer here depends entirely on your body and aesthetic goals. A tummy tuck may be better if you have torn abdominal muscles or loose skin, but it might be overkill if you’re just fighting a little excess belly fat. Some patients benefit from combining the two procedures to repair abdominal issues while benefiting from the smoother body contouring of the lipo 360. We can help guide you toward the best choice for you.
Lipo 360 targets unwanted fat cells and doesn’t address loose skin. If you have concerns about your skin’s ability to shrink back over your newly contoured body once fat is removed, ask us about adding J-plasma skin tightening to your procedure. If you already have loose or hanging skin, however, surgical excision will be necessary to remove it.
Not a significant amount, no. You may shed a few pounds after surgery, but lipo 360 is a body-contouring procedure. It is not a weight loss surgery.
In the sense that the fat cells removed during the procedure never come back, yes, lipo 360 is permanent. But your new shape may not be. If you gain a significant amount of weight after your lipo 360, the remaining fat cells may expand and, if necessary, your body could create new ones. Maintaining your results long-term requires healthy lifestyle choices.
Lipo 360 can certainly help you achieve a better shape, but a true hourglass figure may not be achievable. The procedure removes excess fat deposits just beneath the skin but cannot alter your underlying anatomy. The shape of the rib cage and hip bones, in particular, impacts the overall shape of your torso. Lipo 360 doesn’t alter this bone structure, so it may not result in a perfect hourglass shape.