Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: Procedure, Recovery, and More

When it comes to achieving a firm, toned abdomen, there are two main treatments that patients may consider. Both liposuction and a tummy tuck can help you reach your goals, especially after significant weight loss, but they have distinct differences. Below, we’ll break down tummy tuck vs liposuction procedures here at Port City Plastic Surgery under the guidance of Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Brian Widenhouse.

The Procedure

The liposuction and tummy tuck procedures are actually quite different. With liposuction, a vacuum system is used to remove excess fat from the desired area of the body, including excess abdominal fat. This is an effective fat removal procedure for targeting unwanted fat, as it can be used to remove considerable amounts of fatty tissue depending on a patient’s goals.

A tummy tuck surgery is a more comprehensive body contouring procedure. During it, excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen. Then, the weakened abdominal muscles and the remaining loose skin are tightened, and the abdominal wall is strengthened to produce a toned appearance.

Tummy tuck and liposuction have significant differences – liposuction is an effective solution for targeting areas where stubborn fat is the primary concern, while a tummy tuck may be the ideal solution for honing in on the abdominal region, improving the firmness of the stomach, and removing sagging skin.

The Recovery

With the advances in liposuction technology, it offers a fairly manageable recovery period despite being a surgical procedure. After liposuction, patients can expect one to two weeks of downtime before gradually returning to their normal activities and lifestyles. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, is a more extensive surgical procedure. Patients can expect up to a month of downtime before they are able to resume their normal activities and lifestyles.

The Results

The liposuction procedure is performed only to remove fat, which means it does not tighten the skin or the underlying muscles in the lower abdomen. It can help patients achieve impressive fat reduction results, but it may not provide the full body contouring benefits desired. A tummy tuck uses additional techniques to treat abdominal muscle separation and tighten the skin in the surrounding areas. While it may not be as effective for fat reduction, tummy tuck results in a firm and sculpted abdomen.

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck in Charleston, SC

To determine which of these treatments is best for you, contact us to schedule a consultation at Port City Plastic Surgery to discuss your goals with Dr. Widenhouse and develop a personalized treatment plan. In some cases, you might find that both treatments are suitable. In fact, many patients end up choosing to combine a tummy tuck with the liposuction technique to achieve optimal results.