When patients looking for body contouring come to a plastic surgeon for their first consultation, they often want to know the difference between a liposuction and a tummy tuck. Most people assume that these two amount to the same thing since both of them are performed to improve the contour of the abdominal area. You might be surprised to know that these two procedures are very different. While both these treatments can re-establish your desired silhouette by contouring the curves of your body, each procedure is better suited to specific patients. Read on to know the difference between these two plastic surgeries.
Liposuction can be used on more than just the stomach area. It can be performed around the legs, chest, flanks, buttocks, back, arms and even your face. A tummy tuck (also called an abdominoplasty) is solely reserved for the midsection and considered a fairly major procedure.
In a liposuction, a small incision is made at the site of operation and the excess fat is drawn out. During a tummy tuck, an incision is made in the lower abdominal region. The weakened fascia and muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened and restored by removing the loose skin and tissues. The stomach-area is also tightened and flattened.
A tummy tuck procedure addresses the problem of loose, sagging skin. Hence, it is recommended for patients who have lost a large amount of weight in a very short period of time leaving behind loose, hanging folds of abdominal skin. A liposuction is not recommended for this purpose. It is a better option for patients who just want to have a smooth and improved contour in a few areas without much muscle or skin tightening.
It’s important to understand the difference between the purposes of each to decide which will work the best for you. To learn more about these procedures, call us at 904-346-0060 and schedule your personal consultation with Dr. John Obi, a board-certified Jacksonville plastic surgeon.