Before you have attended a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon, you may feel unsure about what procedure you actually need to have. There is often much confusion surrounding both liposuction and a tummy tuck. The procedures are both often associated with body contouring and are often thought to be interchangeable.
So what exactly are liposuction and a tummy tuck, and should you have liposuction with a tummy tuck?
What is liposuction?
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure which removes excess fat from various areas of the body. Liposuction can address unwanted fat on many areas of the body. Common areas include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, buttocks, back and arms.
Liposuction is not considered a weight loss procedure. It is not suitable for those who have a BMI over 30 and have a large amount of fat to be removed. Instead, liposuction is for those who have lost as much weight as possible, and who have stubborn pockets of subcutaneous fat which they have been unable to lose. If you have too much excess fat removed, you may find you are left with excess skin. If you are eligible for surgery and are wanting to remove a large amount of excess fat, you may require multiple procedures to achieve the desired results.
What is a tummy tuck?
Rather than targeting excess fat, a tummy tuck, otherwise known as an abdominoplasty, removes excess skin from the body along with tightening of the abdominal muscles. This will often occur as the result of major weight loss or after a pregnancy.
A tummy tuck is also not considered a weight loss procedure, as the procedure happens after the weight has already been lost. It is recommended that you lose as much weight as possible prior to having a tummy tuck, and be as close to your ideal weight as possible. You will also need to be at a stable weight prior to having surgery. This will help you to be able to maintain your results in the future. If you still want to lose a lot of weight after having a tummy tuck, you may find you have more excess skin which will need to be removed.
Should I have liposuction with a tummy tuck?
Having liposuction alongside a tummy tuck is commonly referred to as lipoabdominoplasty or a Brazilian tummy tuck. Prior to undergoing any procedure, you will have a consultation with one of our surgeons. They will be able to assess your body and determine which procedure is right for you and whether or not you are suitable for surgery.
Whether or not you will need to have liposuction after having a tummy tuck will depend on how much excess fat you have on your abdomen. Many people will find they have stubborn pockets of fat on the abdomen or flanks which can be removed at the same time as a tummy tuck.
There are many benefits to having liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck. This includes:
– One surgery: you will only need to have one anaesthetic and one recovery period instead of having two separate procedures.
– Best results: a tummy tuck will only target excess skin, so you may notice that you still have stubborn areas of weight which you are wishing to lose. Undergoing liposuction combined with a tummy tuck means you can smooth out and tighten your skin while also removing excess fat.
– Post-surgical drains: after liposuction, you will require to have drains in order to remove any fluids. Having lipo-abdominoplasty removes the need for any surgical drains.
– No increase in pain: a common myth is that combining two procedures will result in a far more painful recovery period. However, the minimal pain felt after having a tummy tuck is the same as that experienced after having a lipoabdominoplasty.
Are you interested in having liposuction, a tummy tuck or lipoabdominoplasty? Contact Centre for Surgery today to find out more information or to book a consultation.