Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Sedentary lifestyles, unbalanced diet, hereditary factors, and pregnancy are some of the common causes of accumulation of excess fats in certain areas of the body. In cosmetic surgery, liposuction and tummy tuck are two of the more popular treatments designed to improve body contours. If the stubborn fats around the abdominal area are resistant to diet or exercise, the patient may have to choose between liposuction and tummy tuck plastic surgery.

During the initial consultation process, an experienced cosmetic surgeon will discuss both treatment options with the patient and explain the pros and cons of both in accordance with the patient’s specific condition. Patients in Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and other areas, seeking body contouring and other procedures may consult with board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Hisham Seify.

Comprehensive Surgery

In contrast to liposuction cosmetic surgery, tummy tuck is a relatively more comprehensive procedure when it comes to achieving a flatter and firmer tummy. The singular goal with liposuction is to remove unwanted fat tissue, but if the patient suffers from sagging skin or needs repair of weak underlying abdominal muscles, liposuction will not help. Patients who need to reverse skin laxity and separated muscles in the upper or lower abdomen may have to opt for tummy tuck, which is a more comprehensive plastic surgery procedure.

An experienced cosmetic surgeon will assess the patient’s condition carefully and understand the patient’s unique aesthetic needs before making a suitable recommendation. A wrong choice of surgery may help achieve a flatter abdomen, but it may appear unsightly due to loose, hanging skin, and weak muscles. Dr. Seify is a well-known plastic surgeon who provides both liposuction and tummy tuck surgeries to patients in Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and surrounding communities.

Differences in Complexity

Liposuction is a relatively less complex procedure, which has made it increasingly popular surgery over the years. Risks are fewer, and recovery period is shorter with this procedure. Advanced surgical techniques such as tumescent liposuction have eliminated the need for general anesthesia, and made the procedure more targeted and conservative. Liposuction is usually performed as an outpatient surgery, and scarring is significantly lower.

Tummy tuck surgery, on the other hand, can be a more complex procedure, especially when it involves tightening of underlying muscles. Scarring will be longer and more conspicuous compared to liposuction, but an experienced surgeon will try to hide the scar in the abdominal crease. A full abdominoplasty procedure will usually involve general anesthesia, and some patients may have to spend a night at the surgical facility. Tummy tuck may involve about two weeks of recovery on average, as compared to about one week in case of liposuction.

Results

Both liposuction and tummy tuck surgery will produce long lasting outcomes provided the patient maintains a regimen of regular exercise and a balanced diet. Both procedures are designed for body contouring, and are not meant to be weight loss surgeries. Patients with moderate body weight make ideal candidates for liposuction and tummy tuck.

See more procedures and treatments by plastic surgeon Dr. Hisham Seify in Newport Beach | Orange County

• https://newportplastic.com/
• http://laboutiquemedspa.com/

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