Many people don’t know which procedure will better meet their needs: liposuction or a tummy tuck. Both procedures improve body contours. While a tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty) may be the best solution for one patient, liposuction could be ideal for another. We’ll compare important aspects of each option in this post, looking at issues such as liposuction vs. tummy tuck results, cost, before-and-after pictures, and more. Hopefully, this comparison can help you better understand whether a tummy tuck, liposuction, or a combination of both could be right for you.
Tummy Tuck
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Sagging skin and stretch marks is a telltale sign that you need a tummy tuck vs. a liposuction-only procedure. In patients who have had one or more children, there is often a separation of the abdominal muscles called diastasis recti that causes the belly to protrude, along with other symptoms which may include:
- Lower back pain
- Stress Urinary Incontinence
- Poor Posture
- Weak core strength
In the case of the above patient, you can see the noticeable stretch marks on her abdomen, as well as wrinkling and puckering skin around her navel and folds of excess skin leftover from pregnancy. She was an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck. Liposuction alone would have made the stretch marks and sagging skin much worse, and would have done nothing to correct her separated abdominal muscles.
Liposuction
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This young woman is an excellent example of the dramatic difference abdominal and trunk liposuction can make in the right candidate. As you can see, she has smooth, firm, elastic skin with no stretch marks, puckering, or sagging. Upon physical examination, it was determined that her skin quality made her a good candidate for liposuction.
It is important that the skin retains a great deal of elasticity so that when the underlying fat is removed, it “shrinks to fit” the new slimmer contours. If the skin is already lax or has poor elasticity, the liposuction patient can be left with sagging skin after their procedure.
In this woman’s case, she had a significant volume of fat removed from her abdominal area, posterior waist and midback, with results that are smooth, sleek, and free from contour irregularities.
Combination of Abdominoplasty & Liposuction
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This is an excellent example of how well liposuction can complement tummy tuck surgery. This woman had a significant volume of excess skin following an 80 pound weight loss, and there was no question that an extended abdominoplasty was the correct procedure to address this.
You can see from the front and side views that the abdominoplasty significantly flattened her abdomen, removed the rolls of redundant skin, and created an aesthetically pleasing bellybutton.
By adding liposuction to her abdominoplasty procedure, we were able to contour the hips and flanks, and sculpt her waist, essentially putting the finishing touches on her new physique. This is a very common combination we perform for our tummy tuck patients, and for many people it makes all the difference in their results.
Good Candidates
Both surgeries require that you be at a healthy BMI and a stable weight. You must be physically and mentally healthy and have no medical conditions that put you at high risk during or after surgery. All cosmetic surgery patients should have realistic expectations for their results and understand that neither of these surgeries is intended for weight loss or a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise.
Liposuction
Tummy Tuck
Liposuction is versatile and suitable for several areas of the body. Men often get liposuction on the neck, chest, abdomen, and flanks. Women typically choose liposuction on the neck, upper arms, abdomen, butt, thighs, and calves. Learn more about areas that can benefit from this procedure in our related blog post.
A tummy tuck corrects a sagging, protruding abdominal area. It can restore a flat and firm tummy, give you a more defined waist, and improve the shape of your bellybutton. Read more about understanding which procedure addresses your concerns in our post Tummy Tuck or Liposuction: Which Is Right for Me?
Recovery
Liposuction
Tummy Tuck
After liposuction, you may feel stiff and sore for a few days. Bruising is normal. You will wear a compression garment for the first few weeks to control the swelling. You should begin walking around right away but avoid strenuous activity for several weeks. Some patients return to nonstrenuous work after a few days, depending on the extent of the treatment.
After your tummy tuck, you typically have bandages and drains for approximately a week. You will also wear a compression garment for several weeks to help with healing. You will not be able to stand upright at first, but you should begin walking as soon as possible. Many patients can return to a desk job after 10 to 14 days. Strenuous work or activities should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks.
Results
Liposuction
Tummy Tuck
Fat removal from liposuction is immediate, but you won’t be able to see the final results until the swelling goes down. After a few months, you’ll be able to enjoy your new body, and your most troublesome areas won’t be an issue anymore. Patients are often inspired by their new look and lose more weight or get into better physical shape.
After a few weeks of recovering from your surgery, you will be able to see your new, slimmer, flatter waist and abdomen. Often, patients express that their only regret is not having the procedure done sooner.
Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck Cost
Liposuction
Tummy Tuck
The cost of liposuction depends on the area you’re treating, the extent of the procedure and amount of fat removed, and a host of other factors. In general, though, you can expect to pay between $750 and $3,000 per area at Plastic Surgery Center of the South.
Tummy tuck prices range widely based on your surgeon’s expertise, practice location, the type of tummy tuck you have (mini, full, or extended), and various individual factors. In Metro Atlanta, the average cost is about $9,951, according to RealSelf.
Do You Need Liposuction, a Tummy Tuck, or Both?
If you’re ready to talk about your body contouring options, use our online form to request a consultation at our Marietta practice or call us at (770) 421-1242. Women and men come to us for liposuction and tummy tuck surgery from Atlanta, Roswell, and Woodstock, GA, and beyond for our surgeons’ skillful and compassionate care.
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