When is liposuction possible instead of a tummy tuck?
Liposuction (especially power-assisted liposuction) is an effective way of removing fat, but not skin. Patients are candidates for liposuction when their skin has adequate elasticity to tighten after removal of fat. Patients who are younger and who have localized deposits of fat are the best candidates. Patients who have excess skin and fat on the abdomen are best treated with a tummy tuck. Longer incisions are required, but the improvements in tightening the skin and muscle may be dramatic. During a tummy tuck, abdominal fat is removed in addition to skin excision and muscle tightening. Many patients will also benefit from liposuction of the surrounding areas to achieve their ideal figure. Liposuction of these areas is commonly performed at the same time as a tummy tuck.
