Exploring Your Body Contouring Options
If you’re looking for a way to get a slimmer, more toned midsection because diet and exercise haven’t worked, you may want to consider plastic surgery. Body contouring procedures can tighten loose skin, remove excess fat tissue, and improve abdominal wall muscles. Two of the most popular that you may want to explore are liposuction vs tummy tuck. Both procedures offer advantages, but you’ll want to understand the differences to know which is right for your goals.
Liposuction and Tummy Tuck: What You Need to Know
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat tissue from various areas of the body. It’s most commonly used for the abdomen, back, hips, around the buttocks, and inner and outer thighs. A tummy tuck is also a surgical procedure, but it focuses on removing excess skin that hangs around your waistline like extra rolls. This procedure also includes tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall and repositioning the belly button if needed.
Both procedures make use of the latest technological advancements. For instance, tumescent liposuction, also known as the super-wet technique, requires an injection of a liquid agent into the area that will be treated. While the injection numbs the area and controls bleeding, it makes the fat hard and swollen for easier removal.
Along with a full tummy tuck, you can also opt for a mini tummy tuck. This procedure addresses only the area below the belly button and doesn’t require it to be moved.
Choosing the Right Procedure for You: Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck
If you’re trying to decide between a tummy tuck and lipo, you will want to consider your goals for the surgery and the recovery process. Liposuction focuses on removing excess fat, while a tummy tuck is predominantly concerned with tightening loose or sagging skin. Both procedures have about the same recovery time, with the patient being able to return to work in a couple of weeks but having restrictions for four to six weeks.
Types of Tummy Tuck Procedures: Which One Fits Your Needs?
There are three types of tummy tuck procedures.
Complete tummy tuck: The complete or full tummy tuck treats excess skin around the midsection, both above and below the navel. Once the excess skin has been removed, the surgeon repositions the belly button. The abdominal wall muscles are pulled together to create a slimmer profile.
Mini tummy tuck: A mini tummy tuck is ideal for patients who have stretch marks or scarring below the navel but are still toned otherwise. It also doesn’t require the abdominal muscles to be pulled together.
Circumference tummy tuck: The circumference or extended tummy tuck helps those who have lost a significant amount of weight and requires tightening the skin all around the midsection.
Ideal Candidates:
Are You Suitable for Liposuction or a Tummy Tuck?
A person with excess pockets of fat that won’t go away is usually a good candidate for liposuction. You should be in good health and reasonably good shape for this procedure. To be a candidate for a tummy tuck, you should also be healthy with no pre-existing conditions. You’re an ideal candidate if you’re at a healthy weight but still have sagging or loose skin around the middle.
Combining Liposuction and Tummy Tuck for Optimal Benefits
When it comes to deciding on liposuction vs tummy tuck, the good news is that you can have both. You may be able to combine the two procedures into one surgery, which will reduce your recovery time. A combination tummy tuck with lipo can help you achieve your goals of a toned midsection and slimmer profile.
While you will appreciate the benefits of combining these procedures, you should also consider other factors. Even though the total recovery time will be less than if you had the two surgeries performed separately, it may take longer than with one procedure. You’ll likely feel more discomfort in your abdomen with both procedures and may want extra time off work.
Understanding Scars: What to Expect from Each Procedure
Some scarring is expected with both liposuction and tummy tuck surgeries. Scars from the tummy tuck are often positioned where they can’t be seen in revealing clothing or swimwear, such as below the bikini line. For the full tummy tuck, the incision is made from hip bone to hip bone.
Scarring from liposuction depends on where the incisions were made to remove the fat tissue. They are usually small and will fade in time to be less noticeable. An experienced surgeon can help minimize any scarring. As you’repreparing for a consultation, be sure to include questions about scarring for your doctor.
Patient Stories: Transformations That Speak Volumes
The following testimonials come from patients who have undergone liposuction or tummy tucks. See the impact it made in their lives.
FAQs: Addressing Your Top Concerns
Is liposuction and tummy tuck safe?
As with anybody plastic surgery, both procedures come with some risks, including infection. However, they are safer when performed by an experienced surgeon in a dedicated plastic surgery facility likeour surgical facility at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas.
Are there restrictions for recovery from liposuction and tummy tuck?
You will need to avoid any heavy exercise or lifting for four to six weeks after either surgery until the incisions heal. The doctor will provide guidelines when you meet for your consultation and with post-op visits.
What should I consider when choosing a surgeon for liposuction or tummy tuck?
You should choose a surgeon who has experience in liposuction and tummy tuck surgeries. They should be up to date on the latest techniques to provide the best results for the patient.
Request a Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck Consultation with Dr. Lapuerta
If you’re not sure whether a liposuction or tummy tuck procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lapuerta. As a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience, he has performed numerous surgeries for both procedures. He can advise you on which procedure will best help you meet your goals or whether a combined surgery is the best option.