Whether you have lost a lot of weight, delivered a baby or the simple passage of time has not been kind to your midsection, you may be considering cosmetic surgery to give yourself a flat, taut belly. However, choosing between a tummy tuck or liposuction can be a challenge.
How the Procedures Differ
While both procedures share the same goal of a tighter tummy, the way they work are vastly different. Liposuction is done by removing stubborn fat deposits. This is effective especially with areas like the lower abdomen that can be next to possible to tone in the gym.
A tummy tuck, by contrast, is accomplished by tightening the muscles and pulling the skin down, trimming it to fit you. This is an ideal procedure for those with loose skin that no amount of time at the gym will remedy. They also may differ where incisions are made.
Which is Right for Me?
It can be difficult to discern for yourself what is fat and what is loose skin, particularly if you have a bit of both. The surgeon will be able to guide you as to what issue you have. The decision of how to proceed is based on several factors, such as your age, skin elasticity and your goals.
If you don’t mind a small amount of excess skin but that bulge of fat below your navel is driving you crazy, liposuction may be best. If, on the other hand, you’ve whittled your abs rock-hard and are unhappy at wrinkled, loose skin obscuring them, a tummy tuck may be the answer.
Consider a Dual Procedure
Tummy tuck versus liposuction need not always be a one-or-the-other proposition. Cosmetic surgeons frequently do both procedures together for patients that require it, in one surgery session. If you want a few problem areas treated with lipo and you also would really like a tummy tuck, talk to the surgeon about a combination procedure.
If you’re a healthy individual, it may make sense to have both concerns addressed at once so you will only need to recover once. As recuperation can take several weeks, it makes sense to take full advantage of it and have all the work you’d like to have done in one procedure.
Schedule a Consultation
Liposuction and tummy tucks are both excellent procedures for getting a flat midsection, but your choice will need to hinge on the current condition of the fat and skin in the area. If you would like a professional opinion, contact Nuance Cosmetic Surgery today for a consultation. Our experienced surgeon can advise you of the right path to meet your goals.