An abdominoplasty and stomach liposuction are distinct procedures used to alter, sculpt, and mold your abdomen’s look. Both techniques can make your stomach appear tense and smooth while reducing the amount of fat in the area. Despite their similar aims, several vital distinctions exist between both.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction, commonly known as liposculpture or lipo, is one of the more historically popular cosmetic surgeries out there today. The procedure uses a tool called a cannula, which is inserted into the body through an incision to break up fat in desired areas, and then suck out the broken-down material using a vacuum-type action. Some variations use a fluid to break down the fat before removal, called tumescent liposuction, while others use a laser to melt the fat.
Abdominoplasty (or Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasties, commonly referred to as tummy tucks, eliminate extra skin and fat while stretching and tightening the muscle to create a smooth abdominal profile. When your muscles and tissues are exposed during the procedure, the doctor will sew them to the outer wall of your stomach to reduce any “sagging” and pull the skin tight to remove the appearance of any excesses.
The main objective of a tummy tuck is to end up with a flat, lean stomach. This solution can prove highly effective for those who have lost large amounts of weight or received a liposuction, which can oftentimes leave patients with extra sagging skin.
What Can You Expect?
Liposuction
People often worry about regaining fat in the areas where they received liposuction. While weight gain can occur if you do not commit to a healthy lifestyle, it typically does not appear where liposuction was done, as the fat cells in these areas are significantly reduced or even eliminated.
Instead, new weight can come back in areas all throughout the body. Should significant post-procedure weight gain take place, then the possibility of fat growth where liposuction was done will increase.
Tummy Tuck
After a successful tummy tuck, the results should be permanent, with your abdomen becoming stronger and more stable. The excess skin should not return unless major weight is gained and/or a pregnancy occurs, both of which can re-stretch out the area.
How to Best Prepare for Either Procedure
You will first schedule a preoperative meeting with your surgeon, where your Body Mass Index will be taken to ensure you’re fit for surgery. Due to the limited amount of fat a doctor can safely extract at one time, if you are considerably overweight, liposuction may not be the best choice. Liposculpture is a procedure that works best for body sculpting instead of weight loss, while tummy tucks are specially designed to firm up desired body parts.
When you make an informed decision to receive liposuction or a tummy tuck, you should prepare by losing as much weight as possible before and by adjusting your diet to a clean eating lifestyle. Taking these steps will help get your body ready for the next steps and life after the surgery.
The Bottom Line
Lipo and abdominoplasty are techniques that are usually done together (lipoabdominoplasty), and when combined, they can provide much more satisfaction than if they are done individually.