TUMMY TUCK
What Is the Difference Between Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?
If you’ve been thinking about some type of plastic surgery to help you look leaner and slimmer, two of the options you probably hear mentioned are a tummy tuck and liposuction. What’s the difference between these options and which one is right for you? Let us explain the basics.
While a tummy tuck and liposuction are both techniques to rid the body or excess fat, the way they get the job done are quite different. This means they are not necessarily used for the same type of patient.
Liposuction winds up being a lot like it sounds. A small incision is made and a suction process removes excess fat. With liposuction, the skin will be left unchanged. This means that liposuction is best for patients who only have a small amount of fat that needs to be removed, often in an area that is resistant to diet or exercise. Thus, liposuction can be a good choice for under-arm flab or love handles.
A tummy tuck is a more complex surgical procedure. In this, excess fat AND skin are removed. A tummy tuck often has more noticeable results and can be used for a patient who has lost a lot of weight from a diet or after a pregnancy, for instance. Although the results are more noticeable, the process is quite a bit more complex so it may not be a good choice for patients who have serious medical problems.
As you can see, tummy tucks and liposuction are both useful procedures but quite different from each other. If you would like to learn more about either of these processes or if you would like a consultation with a doctor who understands your concerns, reach out to us at Smith Plastic Surgery of Ottawa, CA today. We look forward to helping you look and feel your best!