Achieving a flatter and more contoured stomach is a highly desirable goal many patients have when they come to see us at Centre for Surgery in London. Many patients often develop a larger midsection composed of loose and saggy skin whether this occurs after pregnancy or after losing a significant amount of weight.
We are proud to offer two of the most effective treatments for achieving a more sculpted and tighter-looking midsection. Our surgeons are experts in both BodyTite and tummy tuck surgery. Although both treatments can achieve similar results by tightening the skin, the mechanism by which they achieve this is very different. Here we will discuss the pros and cons of both treatments and in which circumstances we would recommend a particular treatment.
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What are the pros and cons of BodyTite?
BodyTite is designed for patients who are at or near their ideal weight but often have both skin laxity and stubborn areas of fat that have proven resistant to diet and exercise. BodyTite relies on the principle of radio frequency-assisted skin tightening which helps to get rid of areas of loose skin without the need for more invasive surgery. BodyTite can be carried out under a local anaesthetic for small well-localised areas with large areas being better suited to a general anaesthetic. BodyTite is not ideal for removing large amounts of fat or addressing severe degrees of skin laxity. The recovery period after BodyTite is significantly quicker compared with a tummy tuck.
Pros
- Ideal for removing small areas of fat when combined with liposuction
- Helps to tighten areas of the skin by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin
- A quick recovery period of 2 to 3 days with full healing after two weeks.
Cons
- Not able to tighten skin to the same extent as a tummy tuck
- Not able to get rid of stretch marks
- Is not suitable for severe skin laxity caused by massive weight loss
What are the pros and cons of a tummy tuck?
The tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure is able to remove significant amounts of fat compared with BodyTite, can you remove stretch marks and can repair weakened abdominal muscles. Tummy tuck surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and involves two incisions with the main incision running across the lower part of the abdomen from hip to hip and a much smaller incision circling the belly button. Any areas of excess skin and fat are surgically removed before the skin is closed with stitches. Tummy tuck surgery takes between two and three hours to carry out depending on the type of tummy tuck being performed. You will need a responsible adult escort to collect you from the clinic and to look after you for the first couple of days after your procedure. Tummy tuck surgery can effectively treat patients who have undergone significant weight loss, unlike BodyTite. Tummy tuck surgery is a major undertaking and significantly more invasive and with a longer recovery period compared with BodyTite.
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Pros
- Can remove more fat than BodyTite
- Significant skin tightening effects even for severe skin laxity
- Can get rid of stretch marks and tighten weakened abdominal muscles
Cons
- Is more invasive than BodyTite with more scarring
- The risk of surgical complications is higher with a tummy tuck
- The tummy tuck recovery period takes up to 6 weeks compared with BodyTite
What is the recovery period like for BodyTite and tummy tuck?
Most patients who have had a BodyTite procedure may notice mild discomfort with associated swelling at the site of treatment. Wearing a compression garment for seven days will help to reduce swelling and speed up the healing process. Patients are often ready to return to work a few days after the treatment although it is important not to carry out strenuous activity for at least two weeks after the procedure. Tummy tuck surgery is a major undertaking and it is normal to expect bruising swelling and temporary numbness in the abdominal region. Tummy tuck surgery often requires the insertion of wound drains to help with the removal of excess fluids and blood from the area of surgery. These wound drains will be removed three days after your procedure by one of our post-operative nurses. Your surgeon will provide you with a prescription for painkillers to help manage mild to moderate discomfort. The compression garment can also help in supporting the area during the healing phase as well as to promote improved levels of comfort. We would advise taking one week off after a tummy tuck to allow for a smooth recovery. It is important not to do too much too soon in the early recovery period to prevent certain complications of a tummy tuck from occurring such as wound breakdown. Excessive movement could result in the tummy tuck stitches becoming disrupted. You should avoid strenuous exercise until a minimum of six weeks after your tummy tuck procedure.
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BodyTite vs Tummy tuck results
Both BodyTite and a tummy tuck are designed to produce a significant improvement by flattening the stomach and getting rid of belly fat. The ideal result after either procedure is a more controlled and sculpted abdomen with no excess fat and smooth and tight skin. As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle with healthy eating and regular exercise, you can expect long-term and permanent results. The effect of radio-frequency energy used as part of the BodyTite procedure will result in continued skin tightening for 3 to 6 months after the procedure. Unlike a tummy tuck scars to get rid of loose skin, BodyTite results in little if any scarring.
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BodyTite and tummy tuck are the most effective procedures for women who have been affected by pregnancy or significant weight loss and wish to improve the appearance of their midsection. Deciding which procedure is best for you can be determined with a face-to-face consultation with one of our expert surgeons who will carry out a detailed clinical assessment. Your expectations for treatment and how much downtime are willing to tolerate will be taken into account when planning the best treatment. If you would like to learn more, please get in touch with us today on 0207 993 4849 to book a BodyTite consultation at our central London Baker Street clinic.
