Should I get a tummy tuck or liposuction? These are the most frequently asked questions we hear from men and women seeking a slimmer and more toned midsection. Both surgical procedures will alter the appearance of your waist and abdomen. Both will give you a flatter, tighter, and toned tummy. Medical insurance will cover neither of these, so you have to pay out-of-pocket. So, what’s the difference and which one should you choose?
While the outcomes are similar, they are quite different in terms of how the procedure is done and who can opt for these surgeries. Our article will help you understand the differences between these two and help you understand which is right for you.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
Tummy Tuck is for those patients who are close to their ideal body weight but unsatisfied with the appearance of their abdomen. If you have sagging skin or protruding fat deposits due to pregnancy, excessive weight loss, age, or prior surgery, then the tummy tuck is for you. You can read the full overview of tummy tuck to understand the procedure better.
What’s involved in Tummy Tuck?
In this procedure, the surgeon will make a horizontal incision across your hips, below your belly button. Then he will remove the excess fat and skin and repair your muscles by pulling them together and stitching them with medical-grade nylon.
Outcome: After the surgery, you will have a flatter and smoother stomach. The results of the tummy tuck are usually permanent. However, you need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise. Too much weight gain will undo the results.
Recovery: Most patients can expect to return to work after 7 to 10 days and resume their exercise in about 4 to 6 weeks. However, you will not see the full results until 3 to 6 months after surgery. You will need several follow-up appointments during the initial periods of the recovery.
Liposuction Surgery
If dieting and exercising don’t seem to get rid of fat deposits, you are likely a good candidate for this procedure. Liposuction can remove fats from all areas of the body. The most common areas are buttocks, hips, thighs, breasts, back, neck, flanks, and arms. Liposuction is less invasive and is safer than tummy tuck if you want to just remove excess fat without tightening the skin.
What’s included in Liposuction?
The surgeon will make small cuts around the target area of fat pockets. A solution of saline, water, and anesthesia is injected into fat cells. Then using a surgical vacuum, the fat is sucked out.
Outcome: After surgery, you will have an enhanced body contour in the treated areas. For results, you can see the 2 weeks after liposuction photos Dr. Steinberg clients. Similar to the tummy tuck, the results of liposuction are also permanent. But if you don’t maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, the remaining fats can enlarge and undo the effect of surgery.
Recovery: It can take 5 to 7 days before you can get back to work and other physical activities. After around six weeks, you will likely see the surgery results.
Who is a good candidate?
First, it is important to note that both tummy tuck and liposuction are not weight-loss procedures. There’s a difference between contouring and losing weight. Both procedures can reduce outer fat and sculpt the body but cannot reduce your weight. In fact, if your weight is not within a specific range, the surgeon will not perform the surgery. Here’s a checklist you need to follow before surgery.
- Reduce weight to optimal level (suggested by the surgeon) before surgery
- Maintain good health and hygiene. If you have a cold, virus, or any other illness, then the surgery date can get rescheduled.
- Alcohol intake can negatively affect your health. Eat a healthy and balanced diet during the weeks before surgery.
- Quit smoking for at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery. Also, avoid smoking after surgery to make the recovery process more effective
Which one should I choose?
If you want to remove loose skin, the tummy tuck will give you the best results. The tummy tuck is typically suggested for women after pregnancy and people who have experienced drastic weight loss. Mommy makeover combines tummy tuck and liposuction and is typically suggested for women after pregnancy. You can read the article on Mommy Makeover in Mexico.
Liposuction is the best option if you are carrying extra weight in your mid-section or any part of the body that you’d like to remove.