Liposuction Vs. Tummy Tuck

A flat stomach has been considered a desirable attribute for decades, and many have achieved it through grueling exercise, diet and applying single-minded discipline. For some, a tummy tuck or liposuction is the solution. However, people who wish to lose belly fat or excess weight may become confused about whether to choose the tummy tuck or liposuction procedure.

Tummy Tuck

• A tummy tuck is also referred to as abdominoplasty. It is a cosmetic procedure which removes excess skin and fat to produce a firmer and smoother abdomen. To increase your comfort level, your doctor will either suggest general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. The surgeon will make horizontal incisions between the navel and pubic hairline to repair failing abdominal muscles. If there is excess skin in the upper abdomen a second incision around the navel may be required. Costs may include surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, prescription costs, surgical facility fees, medical tests costs and can range between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the patient. Swelling and pain are the most common after-effects of a tummy tuck, and recovery generally takes one to two weeks, but also varies from patient to patient.

Liposuction

• The process of liposuction involves vacuuming the fat from under the skin of the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, hips, knees, back, calves, ankles, cheeks, neck or upper arms. A liposuction can be performed alone or in conjunction with a tummy tuck or other cosmetic surgeries, such as breast reduction. Your surgeon can also perform liposuction on many areas of your body simultaneously. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), in 2007, liposuction was the most commonly performed surgical procedure. The surgeon uses a magic marker to mark the procedural area, administers local or general anesthesia, applies wetting solutions into the area and then performs the fat removal. Recovery can take a few days or several months, and costs range from $1,500 to $7,500 depending on the patient and the scope of the procedure.

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck

• The tummy tuck procedure is more substantial than a liposuction, with the incision around the procedural area being two feet long. Liposuction requires only minimal incisions which are hardly noticeable. With a tummy tuck procedure, the belly button is moved downward to a noticeable degree, whereas with a liposuction no movement of the belly button occurs. Liposuction recovery time is also quicker than with a tummy tuck. With a tumescent liposuction, local anesthetic is used to numb the area and decrease bleeding, eradicating the risks associated with general anesthesia. Additionally, with tumescent liposuction recovery usually takes three days or less. For these reasons, a liposuction is more highly recommended than a tummy tuck.