Abdominal Liposuction Vs. Tummy Tuck

If you've grown unhappy with the appearance of your abdomen, but don't know which cosmetic procedure to pursue, understanding the basic differences between abdominal liposuction and a tummy tuck should help clear up a few of your questions. Both procedures offer improved abdominal appearance, but do so by tackling very different cosmetic issues. Liposuction is designed to remove excess fat from the area, while a tummy tuck addresses loose skin and lax, separated abdominal muscle. Of course, for answers to specific questions about your individual needs, your plastic surgeon is the best person to turn to for advice, but for a basic overview, here are a few points to consider.

Candidates for Abdominal Cosmetic Surgery

• Cosmetic abdominal surgery is commonly sought by men and women of all ages and backgrounds. Abdominal bulging and stubborn fat deposits can be difficult to impossible to correct using diet and exercise alone. Fat deposits can remain in the abdomen, for instance, after weight loss, prompting many to pursue liposuction for that sculpted look they seek. Pregnancy, on the other hand, can stretch the abdominal muscle causing a permanent bulging look that can often only be corrected with tummy tuck surgery. C-sections, weight fluctuation and genetics can also cause a bulging look, either due to stubborn fat deposits or lax skin and muscle, and can be corrected with liposuction, a tummy tuck or a combination. When pursuing cosmetic abdominal surgery, no matter the cause, you should be physically healthy and at a fairly stable weight. Weight fluctuations after surgery can affect the longevity of your results.

Abdominal Liposuction Techniques

• Liposuction is a highly popular cosmetic procedure that permanently removes unwanted fat cells from the body. The procedure tends to be less extensive, involving less scarring than a tummy tuck and making it a tempting alternative for many considering cosmetic abdominal surgery. Liposuction uses a small cannula (tube attached to suction device or syringe) to permanently remove fat cells through small, barely noticeable incisions. Today, most procedures are performed using a tumescent solution, a mixture of saline and anesthetic, allowing for the surgery to be performed with local rather than general anesthesia. Tumescent liposuction also causes less bleeding and swelling than techniques from the past. "Super-wet" techniques are also available, which are similar to tumescent liposuction, but with less fluid used. Ultrasonic liposuction is another technique that uses sound waves to liquefy fibrous tissue in more difficult locations.

Abdominal Liposuction Factors

• Though stubborn fat deposits can appear in both the upper and lower abdomen, liposuction tends to be more successful in the lower abdomen due to the fibrous nature of upper abdominal fat. Due to advancements in techniques, however, liposuction can be performed on the upper abdomen as well. And though abdominal liposuction is popular among both women and men, women tend to be better candidates due to the fibrous nature of abdominal fat in men. But again, due to advanced techniques, both men and women can see positive results with abdominal liposuction. Skin elasticity is a major factor when determining if liposuction is the best procedure for you. Because the technique only removes excess fat without tightening skin, those with good skin elasticity or those who don't mind a little post-operative laxity are the best candidates for liposuction alone. Otherwise, liposuction combined with a tummy tuck may be the best option

Tummy Tuck Techniques

• To address cosmetic abdominal issues caused by loose skin and lax abdominal muscle, a tummy tuck is often the best option. A full tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens loose or separated abdominal muscle in both the upper and lower abdomen. For those with only lower abdominal issues and with minimal excess skin, a mini-tummy tuck may be the answer, offering less scarring and a shorter recovery period than a full tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck uses an incision, often from hip bone to hip bone, along the bikini line. In some instances, this incision is similar to that left by a c-section. The amount of skin being removed will determine the size of the incision and scar.

Combination Techniques

• Often a combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck will offer the best results, removing excess fat while addressing loose skin and tightening abdominal muscle. These two procedures can often be performed at once, saving time, money and the discomfort of two separate surgeries. Of course, your plastic surgeon will determine whether this is a safe and effective option for you.