Many people struggle with losing weight and tightening their abdominal area. They might try dieting and exercise but that stubborn region will not slim down or tone up. Excess fat and saggy skin can be hard on a person’s self-esteem so many people consider plastic surgery to remove the fat and/or loose skin. Liposuction and tummy tucks are two different procedures which can effectively slim the waistline and choosing the most appropriate procedure is essential to getting the desired results.
One key factor which can determine whether a person is a good candidate for liposuction or a tummy tuck is the amount of loose skin in the abdominal area. A tummy tuck will tighten the abdomen by removing fat as well as saggy skin but liposuction won’t do that. Liposuction is solely used for removing fat by sucking it out. It does nothing to help tighten loose skin. Therefore, performing liposuction to remove excess fat from a person who also has saggy skin will not be as successful as having a tummy tuck to remove both the skin and fat.
Although a tummy tuck might seem like the way to go, it is important to understand that this particular procedure is more invasive and carries greater risks than liposuction. Liposuction is a fairly simple procedure where a small incision is made and then a thin, hollow tube is inserted into the abdomen and fat is sucked out. With a tummy tuck, a long incision is made directly above the pubic region which exposes the entire abdominal wall. The abdominal muscles are sutured together to make them tighter and the skin is pulled down to make it appear flatter. Excess skin is trimmed away and the incision is closed. Patients will experience some swelling, bruising and pain with both procedures but the recovery period is very short with liposuction compared to a tummy tuck. The downtime for liposuction can be as little as a few days but the downtime for a tummy tuck is approximately one week. For both procedures, physical activity is generally restricted during the first month.
Scarring is certainly a concern of most patients. However, any scarring from liposuction is usually so small that it quickly fades to the point of being almost undetectable. An incision from a tummy tuck can be up to a foot long and is much more visible. However, the incision is generally well hidden below the bikini line and it should fade over the years. Patients should keep any scars hidden from the sun and apply skin lotion regularly to assist with the healing process. It is also important to understand that all people heal differently and everyone’s skin type is different. Patients with a darker skin tone may have scars that are more noticeable due to skin pigmentation.
The cost of a tummy tuck is approximately $8600. This procedure is more substantial than liposuction given the fact that it is more in-depth and carries higher risks. The cost of liposuction is about $1500 if only one area is treated. However, liposuction can range up to $4000 depending on how many areas are going to be treated.
Liposuction and tummy tuck can both slim down excess fat in the abdominal region. Since every patient is different, the overall success depends on choosing the appropriate procedure in order to meet the patient’s expectations. Although the patient may prefer one choice over the other, a consultation allows the patient and surgeon to discuss the most appropriate choice to bring about a successful outcome.
