Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck: Which do I need?

Struggling with excess fat around the middle? Fed up with loose skin following weight loss or pregnancy? While working out, losing weight and eating right is a great start to a journey to a healthier you, it doesn’t always leave you with the look you want. So while those side bends and leg lifts are great for flexibility and muscle strength (keep up the good work!), you may be considering a cosmetic surgery procedure such as a liposuction or tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to rid yourself of that extra inch or two. But which treatment is right for you? This article examines the difference between liposuction vs tummy tuck surgery.

Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck: What’s the Difference?

You might assume that a tummy tuck and liposuction are essentially the same thing. However, there are many differences between the two procedures. When it comes to liposuction vs tummy tuck, a professional can determine which will work best for you. With liposuction, excess fat is removed. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, is designed to remove the sagging or loose skin left behind after weight loss or pregnancy. It is also designed to help tighten your underlying abdominal muscles to give you a toned, taut appearance.

What to Expect During a Liposuction Procedure

Individual results may vary from person to person.

If you want to trim excess fat with a low-risk procedure that doesn’t have a lot of downtime, Dr. Hanke’s tumescent liposuction procedure has been proven to be extremely effective and safe for removing any localized fat deposits that have accumulated over the years. The patient is awake during the procedure which utilizes tumescent local anesthesia. Post-procedure recovery is rapid with outstanding results.

Following tumescent liposuction, you can typically return to work in one to three days. Depending on how much you weigh, the amount of tumescent local anesthesia will vary. Your safety is our top priority, so the amount of fat removed is limited. Unrelated surgical procedures are not performed along with this procedure to protect your health and well-being.

What to Expect During a Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tucks are major surgical procedures that require general anesthesia. Excision and liposuction are both used to eliminate fat and a large portion of excess skin. While you do end up with a flatter stomach, some scarring may remain. The muscles in your abdominal wall are visible during this procedure so the surgeon can tighten the muscles at the same time. Tummy tucks provide a trim and toned core, but the recovery time is much longer than liposuction alone. Recovery time varies from patient to patient, but you can expect complete recovery to take four weeks or more.

Can I Get Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck Together?

Tummy tucks and liposuction tend to go hand-in-hand. If you have a lot of loose, sagging skin and excess fat, having both procedures done at the same time can help tackle both problems simultaneously. In fact, tummy tucks use liposuction to eliminate the excess fat before the surgeon can remove the excess skin and help sculpt and tighten any loose abdominal muscles. Most patients do not require both procedures, which is why it is so important to discuss your concerns with the surgeon beforehand. Your dermatologic surgeon will want to know what you are looking to achieve with the procedure and get a chance to do an evaluation in person to determine if you need a liposuction vs tummy tuck, or both.

Considering a Tumescent Liposuction Procedure in Indianapolis?

Dr. Hanke is an internationally recognized expert in dermatologic surgery. He began researching tumescent liposuction in 1988 when he published a safety study of nearly 9,500 patients. He published another study from 1995 involving more than 15,000 patients. He has taught tumescent liposuction to physicians in Europe, South America and North America.

The Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to excellence in the field of dermatologic surgery in the Indianapolis area. If you are ready to consider tumescent liposuction, schedule your consultation and begin the process to a whole new you.