Even after committing to a diet and exercise program, many people are still unhappy with the appearance of their belly or abdomen. This is one of the most common complaints we hear as plastic surgeons, particularly among patients who have been pregnant or lost a significant amount of weight.
If you are looking for a way to rejuvenate your abdomen, you may be contemplating the differences between abdominoplasty (commonly referred to as a tummy tuck) and liposuction procedures. Both are effective options to remove excess fat, but there is more to consider before making your decision.
The plastic surgeons at Pure Aesthetics perform both procedures and can help you decide which one would be right for you.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Procedure Overview
Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty is a significant surgical procedure that tightens and reshapes the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening weakened or separated muscles in the abdominal wall. This results in a flatter, firmer midsection with improved contours.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a less invasive surgical procedure used to remove stubborn pockets of fat from various areas of the body. The procedure uses suction to break up fat cells before removing them from the body. Advanced liposuction technologies include power-assisted liposuction, VASER liposuction and SAFELipo.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Concerns Targeted
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck focuses on one area of the body: the abdomen. A standard (or full) abdominoplasty addresses the upper and lower abdomen together. With this approach, our surgeons can excise and tighten loose skin, remove excess fat and repair the abdominal muscles for maximum contour improvement. The scar extends from hip to hip and, although long, it is positioned below the bikini line so it is inconspicuous in most clothing.
A mini-abdominoplasty addresses only the lower abdomen (below the belly button). It is best for patients who have a smaller amount of loose skin and do not need muscle repair. The scar is in the same location but significantly shorter than with standard abdominoplasty.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas. It has no effect on muscles or skin (in fact, good skin elasticity is a prerequisite for liposuction, as removing fat where skin quality is poor can make the skin appear looser).
Nearly any area of the body can be treated with liposuction. The most popular areas include the abdomen, buttocks, hips, inner and outer thighs, “love handles”, upper arms and beneath the chin.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Candidacy
Tummy Tuck
A good candidate for abdominoplasty has excess skin and fat in the abdominal area that is unresponsive to diet and exercise efforts. They may also have stretch marks in the lower abdomen and/or stretched or separated abdominal muscles due to pregnancy, weight changes or ageing. Ideally, a tummy tuck candidate should be at or near their ideal body weight and have no plans to lose weight or become pregnant in the future.
Liposuction
A good candidate for liposuction has pockets of stubborn fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. They are not seeking overall weight loss, nor are they seeking abdominal muscle repair or the removal of excess skin or stretch marks. Additionally, a liposuction candidate should have good skin tone and elasticity, as this allows the skin to conform to the new contours of the body after the procedure.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Anesthesia
Tummy Tuck
All types of abdominoplasty are performed under general anaesthesia in fully accredited hospitals.
Liposuction
Liposuction is typically performed under general anaesthesia in accredited day surgeries. Under limited circumstances, “twilight” or local anaesthesia may be suitable.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Procedure Steps
Tummy Tuck
In general, abdominoplasty involves the following steps:
- Anaesthesia: The anaesthetist administers general anaesthesia to ensure the patient is comfortable during the procedure.
- Incision: The surgeon makes an incision across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. The length of the incision depends on the amount of skin and fat to be removed.
- Adjustments: The surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightens the muscles as needed.
- Navel repositioning: The surgeon may reposition the belly button to match the new contours of the stomach.
- Closing the incision: The surgeon redrapes the skin over the abdomen and closes the incision with sutures.
Liposuction
Abdominal liposuction follows these general steps:
- Anaesthesia: The anaesthetist administers general, twilight or local anaesthesia depending on the extent and complexity of the procedure.
- Incisions: The surgeon creates small incisions at strategic locations in the treatment area.
- Cannula insertion: The surgeon inserts a thin, hollow tube called a cannula into the incisions to suction out the unwanted fat.
- Fat removal: The cannula is moved back and forth to break up the fat before it is suctioned out with a surgical vacuum
- Closing the incisions: The surgeon closes the incisions with sutures and skin adhesive.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Recovery
Tummy Tuck
A standard abdominoplasty usually involves a hospital stay of several days, while a mini-abdominoplasty requires less. Our plastic surgeons do not usually place drain tubes for routine abdominoplasty. Compression garments are worn for at least three weeks to minimise swelling and promote healing.
Most abdominoplasty patients take two to three weeks off work. Light exercise can resume around three weeks, and full recovery usually takes six weeks.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a day surgery, meaning patients are allowed to return home a few hours after surgery. Compression garments are worn for several weeks to minimise bruising, swelling and discomfort and help the skin conform to the new body contour.
Because liposuction is a less invasive procedure than abdominoplasty, it generally involves less discomfort and downtime. Patients typically take at least a few days off from work and can resume their normal level of activity (including exercise) at four to six weeks post-op.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Risks and Complications
Tummy Tuck
Due to the invasiveness of the surgery, tummy tucks carry a higher complication risk than some other cosmetic procedures. Possible risks include sensation changes, fluid accumulation (seroma), tissue necrosis, poor scarring, elevation of pubic hair, malposition of the umbilicus or bulges at the ends of the wound (“dog ears”).
Liposuction
With liposuction, the risk of complication increases when addressing a large area or multiple areas in one sitting. Possible risks include contour irregularities, infection, numbness, seroma or fat embolism.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Cost
Tummy Tuck
For most patients, abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that must be paid for out-of-pocket. However, in some instances of extreme weight loss or muscle separation following pregnancy, Medicare rebates and health insurance coverage may apply.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a solely cosmetic procedure. There are no rebates from Medicare or contribution to hospital costs available through private health insurance.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Scarring
Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty scars can be significant. For a full abdominoplasty, there is a linear scar from hip bone to hip bone, and there may be a second scar around or within the belly button. Mini-abdominoplasty involves a shorter scar, similar to an extended caesarean scar. Scars gradually fade and reach maturity around one-year post-op.
Liposuction
Scars are minimal, as liposuction is done by making small incisions of only a few millimetres. The incisions are placed in discrete areas, usually within natural crease lines, so the scars are not conspicuous.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Results
Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty results are considered permanent. The excess skin and fat that are removed will not return, unless the patient undergoes subsequent weight fluctuations or pregnancies. Although the natural ageing process may eventually affect the cosmetic results, a healthy lifestyle helps extend the benefits of tummy tuck surgery for as long as possible.
Liposuction
Liposuction results are also considered permanent, in the sense that the fat cells that are removed do not regenerate. However, gaining weight can expand the remaining fat cells in the area or cause fat to accumulate in other areas of the body. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine is important for preserving liposuction results.
Enquire Today for More Information About Body Contouring in Sydney
A consultation is the best way to be certain of which procedure or combination of procedures is right for you. After a thorough evaluation, our experienced plastic surgeons will recommend the approach that serves your realistic goals and your unique anatomy.
Contact Pure Aesthetics today to schedule your consultation. You can reach our team here or on 02 9252 9262.
