subject: Choosing Liposuction Over A Tummy Tuck [print this page] The goal of both an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, and liposuction is the surgical fat removal and recontouring of the body into a more desirable shape. Both are popular procedures for the shaping of the abdomen. However, there are many differences between the two.
First, it should be understood that the traditional abdominoplasty involves liposuction as its first step. There are many different kinds of liposuction, but the basic concept of each is to make a small incision where the fat is to be removed and use a metal tube called a cannula attached to a vacuum to suction away the unwanted fat. The incision is then sewn shut, allowed to heal, and within a few months when the swelling and bruising has disappeared the patient's body has a new, more attractive shape.
In a tummy tuck liposuction as described above is the first step. Following that procedure the surgeon cuts a large piece of skin from just above the pubic area on the lower abdomen. Then using sutures to hold them in place, the abdominal muscles are tightened and finally the wound where the skin was cut is closed with staples or sutures.
Because of the excision a tummy tuck involves it is a much riskier procedure health-wise. Any cut made in the body is at risk for infection, so naturally liposuction is safer. Also because a tummy tuck is more invasive there is a higher risk for blood clots. The tummy tuck uses general anesthesia, which completely sedates a patient, whereas most liposuction techniques today use a local anesthetic which has fewer side effects.
There may also be consequences that arise later from a tummy tuck that will not occur after liposuction. For instance, women who still intend to have children should not have a tummy tuck because during the surgery the vertical muscles are tightened and during pregnancy may be separated, thus reversing the tummy tuck. Pregnancy will not, however, change the results of liposuction. Nor will future weight gain or loss, but such fluctuation in weight can also undo the results of a tummy tuck. Tummy tucks can also cause visible, permanent scarring that liposuction will not produce.
In many cases liposuction produces desired results with less time, effort, and risk. It is a common practice for patients to separate the step of liposuction from the following tummy tuck steps so they can judge the results of the liposuction alone and determine if they need the rest of the tummy tuck surgery. The majority of patients who choose this are surprisingly content with the results they have from just the liposuction and decide against completing the tummy tuck because it is unnecessary.
Many surgeons will still prescribe abdominoplasties, but patients are increasingly discovering the benefits of liposuction for the same purpose and achieving their desired results with a safer, easier procedure.
