Do I Need a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?
When dieting and exercise won’t make a dent
With the warmer weather approaching, many clients are anxious to trim away the excess fat on the lower body so they can enjoy wearing their favorite summer clothes without self-consciousness. The stubborn fat that we all tend to accumulate in the belly is highly resistant to dieting and exercise, so those weekly trips to the gym may not be helping you achieve the physique you desire.
Clients who are determined to improve their appearance may be encouraged to know that cosmetic procedures such as tummy tuck or liposuction are safe and effective and can dramatically streamline and slim the midsection. But which method is suitable for you? A tummy tuck or liposuction?
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that tones and contours the belly while simultaneously tightening the six-pack muscles that have become separated, typically due to pregnancy. Tummy tucks come in several different incarnations, including the standard tuck, the mini tuck, the extended tuck, and the modified tuck so that the procedure can be customized to your unique anatomical and aesthetic needs.
What is liposuction?
A small, slender tube called a cannula is inserted through a slight incision in the abdomen during liposuction. Excess fat is then vacuumed out to create a more pleasing contour. While liposuction is an excellent fat loss tool, it cannot be used as a weight-loss method. It is ideal for patients who are at or close to their ideal body weight but struggle with excess fat resistance to working out.
What are the key differences between a tummy tuck and liposuction?
If a client struggles with both excess belly fat and loose, sagging skin, then a surgical tummy tuck is the ideal procedure for contouring the lower body. An advantage to the surgery is that during abdominoplasty, the six-pack stomach muscles will be tightened, toning and firming the belly from the inside out.
Liposuction is a better fit for a client with good skin elasticity but unhappy with stubborn fat pockets around the stomach.
- Because it is a more invasive and complex procedure than liposuction, tummy tuck surgery requires more time at the office and more time in recovery. However, with that time sacrifice comes the increased benefits of a tummy tuck, including the tightening of the abdominal muscles.
- Liposuction will require only an entry point for the cannula to be inserted. In contrast, tummy tuck surgery will require full incisions that stretch from the hips across the pubic area, so scarring is more pronounced with abdominoplasty.
