A flat, smooth stomach is difficult to achieve, even if you eat right and exercise regularly. If you’re considering plastic surgery to get the look you desire, you might be confused about whether you should opt for a tummy tuck or for liposuction. Read on to learn about the difference between these two procedures and find out which may be right for you.
In most cases, a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is the best tool to truly achieve a flat stomach. That’s because liposuction simply removes the fat deposits from under the skin, so it works best on areas where the skin is already smooth and tight, such as the hips. When liposuction is done on the stomach, loose skin often remains, so it’s difficult to achieve the look you’re after with liposuction alone.
Conversely, a tummy tuck actually removes the excess skin along with the fat, so it’s more likely that you’ll end up with a sculpted, smooth look after this procedure than with liposuction. In addition, abdominoplasty also tightens up the muscles, whereas with liposuction the muscle and extra skin tend to hang after the fat is removed.
Despite these differences, many people choose liposuction because it’s a much less invasive procedure than abdominoplasty, with a shorter recovery time. You can typically have liposuction as an outpatient procedure and can usually return to work and regular activities quickly. Abdominoplasty also leaves a long scar, which is not a concern with liposuction. However, a tummy tuck removes stretch marks on the skin, which will remain intact if you have a liposuction procedure.
If you are older than age 40, have been pregnant, or have lost a lot of weight in the stomach area, abdominoplasty is typically the better choice. For those patients who are younger and still have skin elasticity, liposuction may be able to provide the desired results.
To truly investigate both procedures and make a decision about which is best for you, consult with our staff at Nuance Cosmetic Surgery. Doctor Sumida can answer any questions you may have, and help you determine which treatment option is right for you. During your consultation we can help create a custom treatment plan that is designed to give you the results you want, with the most effective treatments. Contact Nuance Cosmetic Surgery today to schedule your consultation or stop by our Folsom, CA office.