The holiday season is approaching fast, which means you want to look great when you see all your family and friends! There’s no doubt you have heard the terms “liposuction” and “tummy tuck”, also known as “abdominoplasty”. Liposuction and tummy tucks often get lumped together because both involve tightening and smoothing a particularly stubborn area of the body in terms of fat loss, AKA the abdominal area.

So, what’s the difference between the procedures, and which one is right for you?

Tummy Tucks:

Tummy tucks are designed to remove excess skin and tighten loose abdominal muscles in the midsection. By contrast, liposuction is for the patient who does not have issues with excess skin or loose muscles, but simply wants packets of fat removed in the abdomen, thighs, or hips. Because his or her skin is already tight, it will conform to the new fat-free area to create a smooth, flat surface.

Tummy tucks involve an extra cut on the lower abdomen in order to remove the excess skin after fat removal, which can require both a longer operation (two hours) and recovery time. Patients usually take two weeks off from normal activities, even work, after receiving a tummy tuck. It also may take up to six weeks before they can fully resume all normal activities.
View our Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos

Liposuction:

Liposuctions are more common and take about one hour per area of fat removal. Although it’s a shorter procedure than abdominoplasty, after receiving liposuction, patients can typically return to normal activities within the same amount of time, about one to six weeks or until fully healed.
View our Liposuction Before and After Photos

Choosing between a tummy tuck and liposuction ultimately depends on your body type and the results you are seeking. We may even recommend a combination of the two in order to get the look you truly want. If you need any more information about either of these procedures or would like help choosing which one is right for you, give us a call today at Remington Oaks Medical Building Phone Number 210-496-2639.