Did you know that the plastic surgery industry is worth more than 50 billion USD? Everyone always wants to be the best version of themselves and many people try to accomplish that with liposuction or a tummy tuck. However, if you are debating between these two procedures, you might be wondering if there is any big difference between liposuction vs tummy tuck?
The key to choosing has to do with how much fat you want to remove and where you want to remove it from your body. Keep reading and learn more about the differences between these two procedures down below.
What Is Liposuction?
When it comes to a tummy tuck vs liposuction, liposuction can be a bit more versatile. However, it may also not provide as dramatic results. That’s because liposuction is generally best for removing smaller portions of fat from the body.
When you go in for a liposuction procedure, your plastic surgeon will need to sedate you. Depending on what kind of anesthesia your doctor uses, you may be completely unconscious. Or, if your doctor uses a local anesthetic, you will be conscious of the procedure, but you won’t be able to feel what’s happening.
Many people get liposuction around their stomach, thighs, and hips, although you can get liposuction just about anywhere. Once the procedure is ready to begin, your plastic surgeon will make a few small cuts around the area that you want to be treated. These cuts, also known as ports, are important for creating access to the fat pockets in your body.
Then, your surgeon will use a special tool known as a cannula. This tool looks like a long metal rod. Your doctor will insert the cannula into the incisions that he has created in your body.
This tool will be able to glide under your skin and dislodge the fat pockets within. Doing this will not damage your muscles or skin; its only purpose is to loosen the fat so your doctor can remove it at a later point during the procedure. Once your doctor dislodges most of the fat in the area, he will then use a special vacuum to remove the fat from your body.
Some people may only need one session to achieve their desired results. However, more commonly, you will need to go back for multiple sessions until you get what you’re looking for.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a more invasive procedure, but your plastic surgeon can remove more fat at one time when it comes to a tummy tuck vs lipo. A tummy tuck tends to be best for those who have a lot of extra fat and/or loose skin around the stomach area. Liposuction in this scenario would not be the best choice because it would take too long and too many sessions to remove the desired amount of fat in the area.
Tummy tucks are also ideal for women who have recently given birth. These women often experience a lot of loose skin, excess belly fat, and stretched abdominal muscles.
In contrast to liposuction, your plastic surgeon will use general anesthesia on you so you will be unconscious for the entire tummy tuck procedure. The surgeon will start the procedure by creating a long cut along the bottom of your abdomen. This cut is often very long and spans from one hip bone to the other.
This cut will leave a large scar. However, you can easily hide the scar under your underwear or a swimsuit bottom. Whatever the case, many people don’t mind the scar too much because the lack of excess skin and fat makes the area look much better anyway.
Once the plastic surgeon makes the cut, he will be able to tighten the abdominal muscles if they are loose from childbirth or for other reasons. He can do this by suturing the muscles back into place. Doing this will leave some excess skin, so your doctor will need to trim some of that away.
Then, he will be able to sew up the remaining skin. The result is a much tighter and flatter abdomen. The procedure is usually no longer than 3 hours.
Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck
There are a few more differences between these two cosmetic procedures, one of them being how permanent the procedures are. Both procedures are technically supposed to be permanent. For example, since liposuction involves the removal of fat cells, fat should not be able to grow back in the area from which it was removed.
However, gaining weight is still possible. It’s only that when you gain weight after liposuction, you might not gain weight in the part of your body that you had liposuction. Instead, you may gain it in other areas.
In contrast, a tummy tuck is a very permanent procedure and it leaves a permanent scar. Once your doctor sutures your abdominal muscles back into place, they will remain tight and firm so you won’t have to deal with a sagging belly anymore. However, if you decide to get pregnant again, there is a chance that your abdominal muscles could stretch out again, which would require another tummy tuck to fix.
Also, a tummy tuck will not prevent you from gaining weight around your abdomen. For that reason, if you want to keep your flat stomach, you will have to make sure that you don’t gain weight.
Choosing the Best Procedure for You
Choosing between liposuction vs tummy tuck can be hard, but it all depends on what you want out of your results. If you have smaller deposits of fat, liposuction might be best. If you have a lot of loose skin and stretched muscle, a tummy tuck may be better.
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