What is the difference between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?
These are completely different procedures both in their approach and also in the layers or areas that they work on. Liposuction is done without cutting anything for the most part and only works on the layer between the skin and the muscle layer. Tuck procedures including tummy tucks work on the skin layer and the muscle layer underneath and involve incisions, skin removal, internal suturing, and other more major surgical techniques. The cost, the magnitude of the surgery, the recovery, and the risk, are also quite different for these two types of procedures.
Liposuction is used to remove localized areas of fat. A tummy tuck on the other hand, is used to reduce the amount of loose skin in the abdominal area. Typically, the need for this develops following child birth. Contact us if you have further questions on any of the Questions and Answers you see here, or to schedule a consultation.
Liposuction is removal of fat cells between the skin and underlying tissues. The fat cells are suctioned through a cannula (small hollow tube), and the incisions are very small. A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) involves removal of excess skin and fatty tissue of the abdomen, and if necessary, suturing of the abdominal muscle if it has become stretched or separated. An incision is usually made in the lower abdomen. A tummy tuck is a much more involved surgical procedure than Liposuction, but if a patient has stretched skin and/or excess abdominal tissue, it will usually give the patient a better result.
Many patients who come to their surgical consultation believe they need only liposuction when in fact a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) must be performed to achieve their desired results. Liposuction procedures only remove fat deposits. In many cases, especially for women who have had children, excess belly flab is the result of loose abdominal muscles in combination with extra fat and skin. Liposuction alone will not create an attractive contour in these cases – a tummy tuck needs to be performed to tighten muscle and remove excess tissue.
Liposuction is the removal of fat cells between the skin and underlying tissues. The fat cells are suctioned and removed through a small cannula (small hollow tube) which is inserted through a very small incision. A Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty involves removal of excess skin and fat of the abdomen. If necessary the abdominal muscles can be tightened if they have become stretched or separated. The incision is typically made in the panty line of the lower abdomen. The tummy Tuck is a more involved surgical procedure than Liposuction. If the patient has stretched skin and/or excess abdominal tissue a Tummy Tuck will usually be more beneficial.
