If you’re seeing unwanted fat, sagging or loose skin, and a lack of contour in your abdominal area, you might have considered having a cosmetic procedure done to address these concerns. When it comes to plastic surgery, most people think of liposuction or a tummy tuck to sculpt their abdomen and tighten their physique. Both procedures are effective but provide different types of results.
While both procedures can address flabby contours in the abdomen and can be done in conjunction with each other to achieve maximum results, the results aren’t the same and are achieved with very different techniques. The aesthetic concerns you have will determine which procedure you need.
What is the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck?
The details of the tummy tuck procedure
A tummy tuck is designed to remove excess skin, tighten abdominal muscles, and contour the waistline.
During a tummy tuck procedure, an incision is made across the abdomen, just above the pubic area. The scar from this incision can be concealed by underwear or a swimsuit. As a next step, the abdominal muscles are tightened, and loose skin is removed. A tummy tuck does not typically remove excess fat by itself. However, excess fat can be removed with liposuction during the tummy tuck procedure. The upper skin of the abdomen is pulled gently but tightly downward and precisely secured, resulting in a contoured, trim waistline and a tauter, firmer abdomen.
Recovery time after a tummy tuck procedure requires two weeks of downtime. It will take about eight weeks to fully recover from a tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck costs more than liposuction because it is a more involved, complex procedure.
The details of a liposuction procedure
Liposuction is specifically designed to remove fat. This procedure removes 6-8 pounds of unwanted fat. However, it does not address loose skin or weakened muscles.
A liposuction procedure involves extremely small incisions, about the size of a freckle, which often leave no scars behind. The fat is removed from the area with a cannula, a slender suctioning tube. Liposuction can be performed in many areas of the body and is not limited to the abdominal area.
Recovery time after liposuction requires several days of downtime. It will take about 3-4 weeks to fully recover from liposuction.
A liposuction procedure costs less than a tummy tuck and is a less invasive, complex procedure.
Sculpt, shape and slim your physique at Montilla Plastic Surgery
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Richard Montilla is well known for his caring, compassionate approach and for the beautiful results he achieves for patients who want to slim and sculpt their figures. Our private, exclusive clinic is the premier destination for cosmetic procedures, providing a high-end, private setting where you can relax in comfort.
Dr. Montilla blends his surgical skills with precision artistry to accomplish the aesthetic goals of his patients. For those who want to sculpt and contour their waistline, Dr. Montilla provides a highly effective tummy tuck technique, liposuction, or a combination of the two to provide a slim, smooth, contoured figure.
