Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction – Which Procedure is Best for You?
Tummy Tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is different from liposuction. Both types of surgery change the appearance of the body’s midsection. The only common thing about both procedures is that they claim that your stomach will get tight, smaller, and flatter after the surgery. You need to consult with a plastic surgeon while considering these procedures.
Are you ready for the procedure?
Liposuction and Tummy tuck are different, and other eligibility criteria must be fulfilled to become a good candidate.
- Liposuction
Liposuction is the answer if you want to remove small fat deposits. This extracts fat around the hips, thighs, buttocks, and stomach region. In this procedure, fat deposits are collected from the targeted area, reducing the bulge and improving that section’s contour. However, if you are obese, you should not opt for liposuction.
- Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is when surplus fat is extracted from the abdomen. It also removes excess skin. This procedure can help restore the look of a flat and contoured stomach, which becomes stretched or goes through significant shifts after the pregnancy. With the help of this procedure, the rectus abdominis or sit-up muscles are pulled back, removing the stretched skin. However, it is only considered for individuals with a body mass index over 30 or, considering getting pregnant in the future, trying to lose weight, or being diagnosed with a chronic heart condition.
How does the procedure occur?
Both these procedures are performed by plastic surgeons:
- Liposuction
During this procedure, intravenous sedation is applied, where the surgeon will use local anaesthesia in the midsection. After the area gets numb, small incisions will be made around the fat deposit area. Beneath your skin is a thin tube called a cannula, also called a cannula, to loosen the fat cells. Now a medical vacuum will be used to suck out the fat deposit. You might have to go through several sessions to achieve the expected result.
- Tummy Tuck
In this case, general anaesthesia is used, and you will be put to sleep; after that, an incision at the bottom of the skin will be made, and the abdominal wall will be removed. When the muscles get exposed, the surgeon sews up the muscle, which is stretched into the abnormal wall. The tight skin will be pulled over the stomach, and the extra skin will be trimmed. Finally, the incision will be sealed with sutures. This one-time procedure takes almost 2 to 3 hours to end.
What is the expected result?
Both liposuction and Tummy tuck claim to provide a permanent result:
- Liposuction
The result will be a flatter and more proportionate midsection. If weight gain is seen, fat will accumulate elsewhere in the body, but typically not in this area.
- Tummy Tuck
After the procedure, the abdomen will look more stable and robust. The excess skin will be removed, and there will be less fluctuation in weight. Also, the pregnancy stretch mark will not be visible.
Summing it up:
Both procedures have certain complications. In liposuction, you can feel numbness, contour irregularities, and fluid accumulation, and in the case of a tummy tuck, you can see changes in sensation or tissue necrosis. So, be very careful during the recovery process and follow the instructions given by the healthcare provider.
