When diet and exercise efforts don’t seem to be enough to get a toned-looking physique, there are a variety of plastic surgery procedures that may help you achieve your desired body shape. Among the different body contouring procedures that can provide dramatic improvements are tummy tuck surgery and liposuction. Although each of these solutions can provide beautiful sculpting results for the right candidates, the procedures are designed to address different concerns.
If you’re considering either option and live near the Richmond, Charlottesville, or Midlothian areas, our board-certified plastic surgeon can guide you in finding the most beneficial option for your unique needs and goals. To help you as you research these popular procedures, please see the comparison below, which can help clarify which procedure—or combination—may be the right fit for your goals.
Tummy Tuck: Ideal for Loose Skin and Muscle Separation
A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is most often performed on patients after pregnancy or major weight loss. This is because the procedure removes excess skin for a smoother, tighter body shape. Men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight typically have redundant or lax skin, while mothers can have stretched skin and separated abdominal muscles caused by pregnancy—both of which can be resolved in the tummy tuck procedure.
Patients often notice that no matter how much weight they lose or how strong their core becomes, the belly still appears loose or protruding. A tummy tuck addresses these issues by tightening the abdominal wall and removing the extra skin that diet and exercise can’t fix.
Liposuction: Best for Targeting Stubborn Fat
Liposuction, on the other hand, specifically targets excess fat cells in specific areas of the body, such as the flanks (love handles), abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. This surgery is not intended for weight loss but rather for addressing localized areas of fat that haven’t responded to a healthy lifestyle.
If your skin is firm and your abdominal muscles are intact, liposuction can be a great solution to refine your shape and enhance definition. However, liposuction does not improve already lax skin, which is why many patients choose to combine the procedure with a tummy tuck for a more thorough transformation.
Not Sure Which Procedure Is Right for You?
The best way to determine which procedure is right for your needs is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Neil J. Zemmel of Richmond Aesthetic Surgery is highly experienced in body sculpting procedures like the tummy tuck and liposuction. During your consultation, he will perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and discuss your aesthetic goals to help you determine if one or both of these body contouring techniques can help you achieve your ideal outcome.
Editor’s note: The original version of this blog was published March 10th, 2020.
The post Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: What’s the Difference? first appeared on Richmond Aesthetic Surgery.