What Are The Differences Between Liposuction And A Tummy Tuck?
If you don't like the appearance of your stomach area, you might consider a tummy tuck or liposuction. While both procedures can slim the abdomen, they are not the same. One is more complicated than the other. Plastic surgeons also do them for different reasons. Here is more to know about tummy tucks and liposuction. The article will also address their similarities and differences as well as who are the ideal candidates.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tucks are also known as abdominoplasty. It is a procedure where a surgeon removes excess fat and skin. The surgeon also repairs abdominal muscles and stitches them together. You can get various forms of this procedure. For example, you can only have the bottom part of your abdomen worked on, or you can get an extensive procedure that removes fat and skin from your hips and thighs. This surgery requires general anesthesia and usually has a long recovery time.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a more localized procedure compared to tummy tucks. You can have liposuction on any area of the body where you have excess fat. Liposuction works best for stubborn fat you've tried to reduce with diet and exercise. You usually don't receive general anesthesia. The recovery time is short.
What are the Benefits of Each Procedure?
The benefits of a tummy tuck can be extensive. Since the surgeon repairs the muscle, you may notice additional back strength. The removal of excess skin may help with mobility and provide for better-fitting clothing.
Liposuction usually results in fewer fat cells in the targeted area. However, it does not address loose skin or muscle tissue options. Liposuction is generally best for small areas because the removal of large amounts of fat may cause loose skin problems.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Each Procedure?
Both procedures require you to be in good health and close to your ideal weight. Younger patients tend to do better with liposuction because they have skin that bounces back faster.
Tummy tucks work better for people who lost a significant amount of weight and have large amounts of loose skin. They are better for older people with less skin elasticity. Pregnant women with loose skin and torn or damaged abdominal muscles are also ideal candidates. If you are a woman, you should have had your last pregnancy before you get a tummy tuck.
The main goal of liposuction and tummy tucks is a smaller, flatter stomach. Tummy tucks are much more involved than liposuction. Tummy tucks also have other benefits that liposuction can't help. If you aren't sure which procedure you need, contact a plastic surgeon for an examination.
