Summary: Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as tummy tuck surgery, is a common procedure among men and women who have undergone dramatic weight loss, or mothers who have completed their families and look forward to regaining their pre-pregnancy figure. The procedure treats excess, sagging skin in the abdomen and can also repair loose or broken abdominal muscles characteristic of patients who have had multiple pregnancies.


However, as modern developments improve the procedure for enhanced results and lower risk of complications, the traditional tummy tuck may become a thing of the past. Here’s a closer look at why the C.L.A.S.S.® Tummy Tuck — a combination of liposuction and abdominoplasty — could be the answer to a better tummy tuck now and in the future.

Reduced Risk of Seroma

Seroma is a condition caused by the buildup of fluids following significant tissue disruption, and is one of the most significant risks of traditional tummy tuck surgery. Seroma can occur if fluid leaking out of damaged blood and lymphatic vessels is allowed to accumulate, and is associated with an increased risk of infection.

The C.L.A.S.S.® Tummy Tuck can substantially reduce the chance of fluid buildup that may contribute to occurrence of seroma. This is because the C.L.A.S.S.® technique uses layered stitching in the abdomen that gently pulls the muscle and tissue together, preventing the accumulation of fluid that would otherwise occur in the abdominal cavity.

A Better Recovery

In a traditional tummy tuck, the patient must wear post-surgical drains following the operation. The drains collect fluid and must be changed several times a day for a few days to a week after surgery to prevent fluid buildup. During the delicate period of recovery, caring for post-surgical drains can be cumbersome to patients and prevent them from fully relaxing.

The C.L.A.S.S.® Tummy Tuck bypasses the need for post-surgical drains with its specialized approach to preventing fluid buildup. What’s more, because the suturing technique in the C.L.A.S.S.® Tummy Tuck reduces skin tension at the site of the incision, the body can heal more quickly. Patients who undergo the combination lipoabdominoplasty typically enjoy a more comfortable and faster recovery than traditional tummy tuck patients.

Improved Results

The C.L.A.S.S.® Tummy Tuck can also offer patients more natural results with more comprehensive body contouring options. Because the technique combines the benefits of a tummy tuck with liposuction, patients can not only correct excess skin, but also slim away fatty deposits around the abdomen, one of the most common lingering effects of pregnancy and weight fluctuations.

While tummy tuck patients are advised to reach their goal weight prior to undergoing surgery, subcutaneous fat is notoriously resistant to diet and exercise and commonly becomes lodged in the abdominal area. A traditional tummy tuck can repair abdominal muscles and tighten skin over the stomach, but without liposuction, many patients will not be able to achieve their desired results. The C.L.A.S.S.® Tummy Tuck allows men and women with stubborn bulges of abdominal fat to bring out the best in their contours.

The organic curves and soft contours of a naturally shaped abdomen should be honored by tummy tuck surgery rather than flattened out. By using liposuction not only to remove pockets of subcutaneous fat, but also to gently sculpt the abdomen in a way that showcases its natural shape, the C.L.A.S.S.® Tummy Tuck can produce enhanced abdominal contours without appearing overly artificial.