Liposuction is a relatively non-invasive procedure that can quickly eliminate marked amounts of stored fat from targeted areas. On the other hand, tummy tucks are much more invasive and entail significantly longer recovery times. Both of these procedures are capable of tightening loose muscles, removing excess skin and creating an overall slimmer and more attractive abdominal plane. If you are seeking a trimmer waistline, there are some important factors that must be considered to determine which of these procedures is best for you.

The Benefits of Traditional Abdominoplasty

Traditional Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgeries are capable of eliminating unwanted fat stores in the abdominal region and tightening loose muscles and skin. Due to this fact, these procedures are often ideal for patients who have lost skin elasticity due to the normal aging process, as the result of past pregnancies or after significant weight changes. While liposuction can effectively remove targeted fat stores, the surrounding skin will not retract on its own once elasticity has been lost. The waistline will be trimmer after liposuction, but it is not likely to be more visually appealing overall. Thus, in these instances, liposuction is rarely a sufficient treatment on its own. Tummy tucks can go well with liposuction to make the treated area(s) more appealing.

The Benefits of Liposuction

Liposuction is better suited to people who want to remove fat from targeted areas that have tight skin. This is an outpatient procedure that does not require an extensive recovery period or significant time away from work. If elasticity has not been lost, this procedure is capable of creating impressive results with minimal discomfort and minimal downtime given that most liposuction methods and providers are capable of eliminating as much as eight pounds of unwanted fat at one time. Unlike tummy tucks, however, Liposuction will not address muscles and skin that have become stretched out due to major weight changes, multiple pregnancies or other factors.

Factors That Will Determine Which Procedure Is Best for You

There are some factors that will increase your likelihood of needing a tummy tuck for optimal cosmetic improvements as opposed to liposuction. These include multiple past pregnancies, significant amounts of abdominal fat (even if the majority of this fat has been lost through diet and exercise) and age. The skin naturally decreases in elasticity as people age.

The Importance of Talking With a Cosmetic Surgeon

It is important to consult with a cosmetic surgeon before attempting to select a cosmetic procedure or establish your goals for this process. Each person is different, and thus, your surgeon will need to examine your abdomen to assess skin elasticity, muscle tone and the extent of unwanted fat stores. Based on these assessments, it will be possible for your provider to determine whether liposuction or abdominoplasty will provide the best aesthetic benefits.

Being that neither procedure is a permanent weight loss solution, you should go in with the correct expectations. Talking to a cosmetic surgeon could help you get an idea of what you will look after either procedure.

If you have any more questions or interested in getting either liposuction or a tummy tuck, feel free to contact Dr. Wendell Perry today.