Tummy Tuck Vs. Liposuction

At the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery of Acadiana, we find that many of our patients schedule an initial consultation for a tummy tuck or liposuction. When they come into the office, they often use the terms interchangeably. However, while these procedures do share some similarities, there are some significant differences that we think all of our patients should understand so they can find the best approach to fit their needs.

Tummy Tucks 

Tummy tucks are also called abdominoplasties. This approach is designed to help give you a more defined abdominal appearance by removing excess skin that is frequently associated with pregnancy, significant weight loss, or the natural aging process. This extra skin can be incredibly stubborn and a source of stress or unhappiness for many patients.
 

There are two types of tummy tucks, a full and partial abdominoplasty. However, the details about which approach is right for you should be discussed with our talented staff, so you know the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Both of these procedures are performed with the use of general anesthesia, which means that you will be “asleep” for the entire procedure. The surgery will then remove the excess skin and some underlying fat. Some patients may also have their abdominal muscles tightened before the surgery is completed. Many patients see a reduction in the appearance of stretch marks or old scarring after their procedure is complete.
 

The tummy tuck procedure can take several hours to complete, and patients are often required to stay in the hospital over the course of a few days to ensure that the procedure was successful and patients are healing properly.
 

Recovery often takes weeks or months with the appearance of bruising and swelling that can last for weeks before the results are fully realized.

Liposuction

This procedure is also used to help create a better appearance of the abdominal area. However, liposuction works by breaking up the fat cells in the targeted area, and then they are suctioned out for removal. However, liposuction differs from a tummy tuck because it only removes the fat but does not take care of any excess skin. This also means that patients will not get the same benefits for removing stretch marks or tightening the abdominal muscles.
 

We generally suggest that the liposuction procedure is best used for patients who are already at normal body weight, have tight underlying abdominal muscles, and lack stretch marks.
 

An additional difference with liposuction is the invasiveness of the procedure. Because liposuction only removes fat cells and only makes small incisions in the skin, the hospital stay is much less. While patients should plan on a night in the hospital, others may be able to return home on the same day. Complete recovery from the liposuction procedure ranges from two to six weeks.
 

Liposuction is also not limited to being used in only the abdominal area, but can also be applied to the thighs, arms, and hips.
 

Combining the Two

Many of our patients can see how they would benefit from each approach, and it can be difficult to determine which approach is right for you. We often combine liposuction with a tummy tuck to give our patients the best possible results. Call today to schedule an appointment so that we can work with you to discuss the benefits of each approach for your case.

Overview

Liposuction and tummy tuck surgeries are highly effective procedures that can help get you the appearance that you have always wanted. If you have been considering either of these options, call Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery of Acadiana in Lafayette, LA today to schedule your consultation (337) 226-0400!