Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: Which One is Right For You?

Have you been dieting and exercising for months and still not achieving the results you desire? Or maybe you’ve decided not to have any more children and your pre-baby body isn’t bouncing back the way you would hope. Have you lost a lot of weight and your skin on your midsection is sagging and you don’t know how to fix it? In many of these cases, body contouring surgery may be the only option to obtain the desired result, but the question remains: what is the right procedure, liposuction or a tummy tuck?

Liposuction

For patients with excess fat or stubborn pockets of fat with good skin elasticity and a flat abdominal wall, liposuction is the best treatment. The best candidates are typically within 20 pounds of their ideal body weight and don’t have a history of massive weight loss or pregnancy. Liposuction is great for abdominal fat, but it can be used in other areas too including the arms, hips, thighs, and more. The important thing to remember is that liposuction can get rid of fat under the skin but doesn’t do as much to tighten the skin. Liposuction involves making small incisions in the skin and suctioning away the fatty tissue between the skin and abdominal wall. People that have liposuction on their abdomen tend to see a flatter, more proportioned midsection once they have recovered from the procedure.

Tummy Tuck

While liposuction is an effective choice for many patients, some need a little more to achieve the results they desire. For these patients, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) might be the best choice. A tummy tuck is more invasive than liposuction, but it can remove excess abdominal skin and tighten muscle, which may be essential in achieving the best results for those that have lost a lot of weight or that have had children. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. It also tightens abdominal muscles and can greatly reduce the hated tummy bulge.

At Ohio Plastic Surgery Specialists, we offer 4 different types of tummy tuck procedures. Depending on the results you want to achieve and your current situation, Dr. Bernacki will suggest the one that is best for you.

While both liposuction and tummy tuck are great body contouring procedures, it’s extremely important to determine what specific issues must be corrected to decide the best course of treatment. If the problem is excess skin or loose abdominal muscles from excessive weight loss,  a tummy tuck may be your best option. For individuals who just need to improve isolated areas, liposuction is usually the best course of treatment.

Are you still unsure of which procedure is best for you? Give us a call or fill out a form on our website to schedule a consultation.