Some people think that a tummy tuck and liposuction are the same thing. However, this isn’t the case. A tummy tuck, called an abdominoplasty, and liposuction are two different things. Liposuction solely removes excess fat, whereas a tummy tuck removes excess fat and excess skin. A tummy tuck can also tighten up the stomach muscles. Liposuction cannot achieve this. Surgeons can carry out both procedures separately or together to achieve the desired effect.
What Is A Tummy Tuck?
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a form of cosmetic surgery. It improves the abdomen’s shape by removing excess fat and loose skin. It can also remove stretch marks and scars. A tummy tuck can even tighten up those annoyingly slack stomach muscles that don’t seem to tighten no matter how many sit ups you do. You can benefit from a tummy tuck if you have excess stomach skin, perhaps from weight loss or pregnancy.
It’s important to note that an abdominoplasty isn’t a weight loss procedure, although many people think it is. Only people who are at, or close to, their ideal body weight should have this procedure. Instead, it’s a body contouring procedure. It improves the silhouette and helps to create a more beautiful shape.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is another type of cosmetic procedure, but it only removes excess body fat, not skin. It removes fat cells from stubborn areas that don’t respond well to diet or exercise. Surgeons can treat many areas of the body with liposuction. Not only can patients have liposuction on their stomach, but on their legs, arms, back, or chin too.
Again, liposuction isn’t a weight-loss procedure. It is a sculpting procedure that is only suitable for people who are around their ideal weight. Liposuction can also be a medical treatment for lipedema.
What Kind Of Results Can Both Procedures Achieve?
Liposuction can achieve a more proportional, flatter stomach after the patient recovers from the procedure. The surgeon removes the excess fat and sculpts the remaining fat to achieve a slimmer, tauter, and more attractive silhouette.
A tummy tuck can help to achieve a slimmer stomach without any excess skin. It can also create a more stable and strong abdominal wall.
What Are The Similarities And Differences Between Both Procedures?
There are some similarities and differences between a tummy tuck and liposuction.
The similarities include:
- Neither are weight loss procedures – both are body-contouring procedures.
- Both can help the patient feel better about their body.
- Skilled cosmetic surgeons carry both procedures out.
- Both require you to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the procedure to retain the results in the long term.
Yet, there are also several differences between both procedures:
- A tummy tuck is a lot more invasive than liposuction. You will probably need to stay in hospital after having this procedure.
- A tummy tuck involves a far larger incision than liposuction, so scarring is a greater possibility. Liposuction only requires very small incisions for the cannula to pass through. Usually, these heal quickly, and any scars fade away rapidly. An abdominoplasty scar is far bigger, although a skilled surgeon will hide it in the bikini line.
- The recovery process is longer for a tummy tuck. You may also experience more pain and an extended recovery period after this surgery. The recovery period after liposuction is relatively short. Within a couple of weeks, patients can return to everyday activities.
- A tummy tuck removes skin as well as fat, while liposuction can only remove excess fat cells. If you have excess skin and excess fat, a tummy tuck will help.
- Liposuction doesn’t remove stretch marks. A tummy tuck can remove scarring and stretch marks to improve the appearance of the stomach.
- Liposuction doesn’t tighten the stomach muscles, while a tummy tuck does.
- Doctors perform tummy tucks under a general anesthetic while they perform liposuction under a local anesthetic.
Which Procedure Is Right For Me?
It’s important to know which procedure is most suited to your individual needs. Both procedures are best for different types of candidates.
If you have stubborn pockets of fat that you want to remove, liposuction could be best for you. As long as your skin has good elasticity and you have minimal excess skin, liposuction could be ideal.
On the other hand, if you have lots of excess skin to remove, you could benefit from a tummy tuck. This procedure cuts away the loose skin to create a taut result. This surgery is especially helpful for anyone with loose stomach muscles, scars, or stretch marks. You may choose to have a tummy tuck to solve a multitude of problems.
If you have excess skin and excess fat, both procedures may be necessary. A surgeon can perform both procedures in a single surgery.
A surgeon will be able to advise you about which procedure works best for you. Contact the ArtLipo team today and arrange a consultation to find out more.
