Lipo vs Tummy Tucks?

Do I really need a tummy tuck or could I get away with just having liposuction? This is a question that  is often asked.

Liposuction or suction lipectomy is a cosmetic surgery procedure which suctions fat from under the skin. There are several liposuction techniques , including tumescent liposuction, ultrasonic liposuction, and laser liposuction. While subcutaneous fat can be removed with liposuction, visceral fat which surrounds the intestines can not be suctioned. This makes liposuction ideal for body contouring by suctioning localized areas of excess fat, but not for total body fat reduction or weight loss.

 What happens to the skin after liposuction? As you could imagine after removal of much subcutaneous fat there is going to be excess skin. Does this excess skin hang? Amazingly, tumescent liposuction causes significant shrinkage of the skin, but this is not limitless and the extent of skin shrinkage depends on skin elasticity, age, sun damage, and the history of repetitive weight gain and loss. Stretch marks represent areas where skin has lost its elasticity, therefore, in these areas skin does not shrink well with liposuction. Under such circumstances removal of excess skin would be the only way to achieve a smooth and tight skin.

 A Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) is a plastic surgery procedure with the main goal being the removal of excess loose skin of the abdomen. At the same time, most of the stretch marks, if any, are removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened to recreate that flat, firm abdomen you may have once had. While liposuction can remove excess abdominal fat, it can not remove loose skin or tighten muscles. Therefore, an abdominoplasty is often the better solution for women who have loose skin, stretch marks and/or “separated” muscles as a result of pregnancy or weight loss, or women who want as close to a “washboard” abdomen as possible. 

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee.