Liposuction and tummy tuck (also called abdominoplasty) are two different surgical procedures that aim to change the appearance of your body (midsection). Both procedures claim to make your stomach appear flatter, smaller, and tighter. They’re both performed by plastic surgeons and are considered cosmetic surgery.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, whereas tummy tuck involves the removal of excess fat and skin from the abdomen. Let’s learn about both of them one by one:

Tummy Tuck

Let’s dive deep into the importance of this procedure.

Why is it done?

There are many reasons. These include:

• Poor elasticity of the skin
• Weakened connective tissue
• Excess fat in your abdomen
• Significant changes in your body weight
• Pregnancy or post pregnancy
• Any abdominal surgery, such as a C-section
• Age factor
• Your natural body type

This surgical procedure can remove excess fat and loose skin and tighten weak fascia. A tummy tuck might also remove stretch marks or excess skin in the lower abdomen below your umbilical area. A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty can be carried out with other cosmetic body contouring procedures, such as breast surgery. If you’ve had fat removed from your abdomen (liposuction), you may wish to undergo a tummy tuck. This is because liposuction only eliminates the tissue beneath the skin and fat but doesn’t do anything about extra skin.

Benefits of Tummy Tuck

• Improved appearance: Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck process can dramatically change the appearance of your abdomen by sculpting the body figure to a more desired appearance.
• Enhanced posture: As the abdominal core muscles are tightened, your back and spine will be better supported by these muscles, and this will reduce the strain on the rest of your body and therefore, improve your posture.
• Removal of C-section scars: If you have undergone a cesarean section previously, you may have lasting scars that might bother you. In abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery, your old scars from the C-section will either be removed because of the removal of loose skin or they will be incorporated into the new scars from the tummy tuck.
• Hernia relief: Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is the preferred treatment for an incisional hernia, which is a type of hernia that occurs at the site of previous surgery.

Ideal candidates for Tummy Tuck

You might be a good tummy tuck candidate if:

• You are physically healthy and have a stable weight
• You have realistic expectations
• You do not smoke
• You are concerned about the appearance of your abdomen

Results of Tummy Tuck

Your tummy tuck will result in a firmer, flatter abdominal contour that is more proportionate with your body type and weight.

Liposuction

After tummy tuck, now let’s learn in detail about this surgical procedure.

Facts on Liposuction

Liposuction generally is not a weight-loss tool but it is a cosmetic procedure with subtle effects. Liposuction can be performed on different body parts like:

• Abdomen
• Back
• Buttocks
• Hips
• Thighs
• Upper arms
• Neckline and area under the chin

Benefits of Liposuction

• Removes fat safely.
• Reduces cellulite or improves the appearance of cellulite.
• May boost your health due to fat loss.
• Boosts self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Promotes sculpting or contouring in the areas of the body that even exercise and diet don’t seem to impact.

Ideal candidates for Liposuction

Someone can be an ideal candidate for liposuction if:

• They are within 30% of their ideal body weight with firm, elastic skin, and good muscle tone.
• They are a healthy individual who does not have any life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair their healing after the procedure.
• They are a nonsmoker
• They have a positive point of view and specific goals in mind for your body contouring
• They are bothered by excessive fat deposits located anywhere on your body that do not respond to your diet or exercise.

Results of Liposuction

Your improved body contour will be visible when the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside.

Which one is right for you and your needs?

Several factors are to be considered when choosing between the two. Although both tummy tuck and liposuction focus on achieving a flatter, firmer, and smoother abdomen area, the surgeries, results, and recovery times vary greatly.

The surgery

An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck and liposuction have almost similar goals:

• To make your tummy slim or thin. However, these both are performed by utilizing different procedures and techniques. By the use of a cannula and a vacuum-like device, liposuction can suction out the unwanted or dislodged fat that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise from various areas of the body, which includes the stomach, thighs, arms, hip, lower back, and chin.
• A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty helps in removing excess skin, fat, and tissue from the stomach, in addition to tightening the abdominal muscles.
• Depending on the areas of the stomach you want to be toned and trimmed, you can opt for a mini, full, circumferential, or extended tummy tuck. This procedure is usually done after a major weight loss or pregnancy. Simply put, liposuction removes excess undesirable fat, while the tummy tuck tones and eliminates sagging skin and fat.
• Liposuction recovery time is about 5-7 days, whereas tummy tuck requires 2-3 weeks.

Important points to remember before making the right decision

• You should have realistic expectations. Cosmetic surgery is medicine, not magic.
• Liposuction is a marginally invasive procedure, but it will only remove the fat cells. While on the other hand, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure but a complete solution of all the aesthetics of a flatter stomach (i.e. no stretch marks, tight muscles, flat tummy).
• Age is an important factor to be considered before choosing liposuction or tummy tuck. You must be at least older than 18 years to accept the psychological changes that are associated with these surgeries.
• You should be ready to maintain a good healthy lifestyle.
• It is very important for you to discuss your past medical history with your surgeon. If you have any underlying disease, you might not be a good candidate for the surgery.
• You will have to avoid any kind of high intensity exercise for 1-6 weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery.
• You should get treated by the finest surgeon who has mastered this craft. The best doctor has qualifications and experience, but the great doctor has qualifications, experience, and patient reviews.

If you’re unsure whether a tummy tuck or liposuction is the best option for you, book an appointment with Dr. Anjali Saple. She has a keen eye for aesthetics and is a perfectionist to the core.