What Is the Difference Between a Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

Having a smoother and more contoured abdomen is a goal that many people have. Procedures like tummy tucks and liposuctions can be excellent options to achieve these results. However, knowing what choice works best for your needs can be complex. 

Learning more about the differences between tummy tucks and liposuction can help you better understand what each procedure can offer. 

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical option that helps you tackle excess abdominal fat and skin while also tightening abdominal muscles, called fascia. 

It is a procedure appropriate for people who have gained or lost significant amounts of weight and have skin laxity issues, as well as for people who have had a pregnancy, a surgical procedure that left them with abdominal concerns, and many other conditions. 

Mini tummy tucks can be an option for people who need only a small amount of skin and fat removed. 

The best candidates for a tummy tuck are people who:

• Are in good health
• Have excess abdominal fat that exercise does not fix
• Have time to recover 
• Are at a stable weight 

Although it is not a weight loss procedure, it can help you improve your appearance by contouring the area and helping you lose inches from your waist. 

A tummy tuck can also offer a variety of other benefits. For example, a tummy tuck can help strengthen your core because it tightens your abdominal muscles. This can, in turn, help with many conditions, like urinary incontinence, posture problems, hernia repairs, and others. It can also remove stretch marks in the area. 

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is the second most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States. It is a procedure that uses a suctioning technique to remove excess fat from different locations in the body. Some of the most common spots in which to get liposuction include the:

• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• Thighs
• Arms
• Neck 
• Hips

Liposuction can help contour these areas as well as remove fat deposits. It is not a weight loss procedure, but it can help you eliminate stubborn pockets of fat that not even dieting or exercise can shift. 

The best candidates for liposuction are people who are in good overall health, have fat deposits they want to get rid of, and are at a stable weight. For the best results, you want to be close to your ideal weight when you get liposuction. 

One of the benefits of liposuction is that once you remove fat cells from a particular area, they do not return unless you gain a lot of weight. This makes liposuction a lasting option.

Tummy Tucks and Liposuction: Crucial Differences

Although they both help remove pockets of fat, tummy tucks can also remove excess skin and can tighten abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck can also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and remove scars and other imperfections in the abdominal area. Liposuction, in contrast, focuses solely on the removal of fat. 

Liposuction is an option that you can choose to target different areas in the body, while a tummy tuck, as its name implies, is only appropriate for your abdominal region. If you have fat deposits in other areas, choosing liposuction is likely the better option. 

There are factors that can influence how long the results of a tummy tuck last. If you get pregnant, for example, you may require a follow-up procedure to ensure you retain the results. Liposuction is usually permanent unless you gain a significant amount of weight. 

When it comes to the duration of the procedure, liposuction takes about an hour to complete, while a tummy tuck can take several hours, depending on the type you choose. The recovery time for a tummy tuck is also longer and requires more aftercare.

Choosing the Right Procedure

It is always crucial to speak with your surgeon about your options. The procedure that suits your needs best will depend on many factors, including whether you have time for a long recovery and what kind of results you want. 

One option that suits many people is to combine a tummy tuck with liposuction. This combination helps remove larger fat deposits at the same time that the tummy tuck occurs, saving you time and giving you even better results. You can also combine these procedures with others in the form of a mommy makeover. 

The right surgeon will walk you through the benefits each procedure provides and offer suggestions and advice. They will consider your health, your medical history, whether you take any medications, and whether you are at a stable weight. With their help, you can make the right choice. 

Beginning Your Journey to Your Best Self

If you want to find the right body contouring procedure, considering liposuction or a tummy tuck can make a difference. A tummy tuck can allow you to tighten abdominal muscles while removing excess skin and fat. At the same time, liposuction lets you target fat deposits in many areas throughout your body. 

At Vegas Plastic Surgery Institute, you can choose between these procedures or combine them for even better results. Our highly trained and educated doctors will help guide you on how best to reach your personal goals.

Why wait any longer to begin your journey to a new look? Learn more about all of the services you can choose from.