Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck

Many patients who are considering a cosmetic procedure have one firm ideal – a thinner, flatter stomach. However a common source of confusion is just which surgery they need to opt for in order to get the results they want to achieve. The two main body contouring procedures are Liposuction and Abdominoplasty, also known as a Tummy Tuck. Although often used in conjunction with one another, each of these surgeries addresses separate issues.

Liposuction is a wonderful tool to use on areas of the body like the hips, saddleback and flanks where you almost never have a problem with loose skin. Many patients opt for liposuction to remove abdominal (stomach) fat, but do not realize the unintended consequences this could have on their appearance if the skin over the stomach has lost elasticity because of age, weight gain, pregnancy or some combination of these factors.

If the skin is tight and there is just some fat to get rid of, the skin will retract after liposuction creating satisfying results. However, many patients have stomach skin that has lost its elasticity, and after you remove the fat, the skin will hang in a way that may look worse than what the patient had before. In contrast, abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes not just the fat but also the extra skin and tightens up the muscles.

Abdominoplasty is best suited for individuals who have sagging skin and fat around their midsection. By making the necessary incisions (Bikini Line incision), the abdominal skin is stretched down completely and the excess skin together with the abdominal layer of fat is removed, leaving patients with a firmer and more defined stomach.. A tummy tuck is particularly effective for mothers and weight loss patients because it tightens the abdominal muscles that were stretched out during pregnancy or weight gain. Men who cannot seem to get rid of that extra roll of fat on the lower abdomen (spare tire) can also see a noticeable improvement in the way their abdominal muscles look.

Book a consultation with our plastic surgeon who will help you set realistic expectations and will decide which treatment can achieve the look you’re after.

Neither the tummy tuck nor the liposuction procedures are meant to treat obesity or meant to replace a healthy diet and exercise regimen.