The overlap of lipoplasty and abdominoplasty: indication, classification, and treatment.

The aesthetic and functional treatment of the abdominal region has always been one of the main concerns of plastic surgeons. Some patients belong in a "gray area" where there is no clear indication of which technique should be applied. Individual variations in anatomy should be the first consideration in determining the correct procedure. The Type I abdomen can be treated by lipoplasty alone. Types II, III, and IV are considered to be in the "gray area," because we can use different approaches and techniques based not only on this classification system but also on patients' preferences. Types V and VI can be treated by dermolipectomy with or without lipoplasty.