Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Which Treatment is Right for You?

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Posted on June 7, 2018 under Liposuction, Tummy Tuck

One of the most common aesthetic challenges for both men and women today is the development of uneven body contour around the abdominal area. Excess accumulation of stubborn fat cells may occur in the abdomen, leading to a protruding belly and sagging skin in the area. A sedentary lifestyle, genetics, an unbalanced diet, previous surgeries, or other factors may cause this condition.

Tummy tuck and liposuction are two effective cosmetic surgery solutions to achieve a flatter and smoother abdomen in such cases. An experienced plastic surgeon will recommend the most appropriate treatment approach and explain the differences between the two options to help the patient make an informed choice. Cosmetic Surgery Associates, with offices in Bethesda, MD, and McLean, VA provide these procedures to patients in Northern Virginia, Fairfax, Alexandria, VA, Chevy Chase, Rockville, MD, and other areas.

Excision of Fat and Skin

When it is necessary to reduce both excess fat tissue and sagging skin from the abdominal area, the surgeon may recommend a tummy tuck procedure. The surgery can also be used to tighten the underlying muscles in case they are loose or separated. Liposuction cosmetic surgery, on the other hand, is more appropriate only when the patient has excess fat deposits in the tummy area, but skin elasticity is still terrific.

Invasiveness

Tummy tuck surgery is usually more invasive as compared to liposuction. The procedure may involve skin and fat reduction along with muscle tightening, which is a longer and more complex procedure. Liposuction is typically less invasive and more targeted, but its scope is limited only to fat reduction.

The possibility of scarring is more in tummy tuck as compared to liposuction. Cosmetic Surgery Associates’ board-certified plastic surgeons provide both procedures to patients in Northern Virginia, Fairfax, Alexandria, VA, Chevy Chase, Rockville, MD, and nearby locations.

Recovery Period

The recovery in the case of liposuction is typically shorter and less painful in comparison to that of a tummy tuck. In many cases, liposuction can be performed using only local anesthesia. It involves smaller incisions, which will heal faster. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, will require at least 10 to 14 days for a proper recovery when patients may return to work. However, strenuous activities in both cases should be avoided for about a month.

Suitable Candidates

Candidates in the case of liposuction are generally people below the age of 40 who do not suffer much from the problem of skin laxity but only wish to reduce excess fat deposits in the abdominal area. The ideal candidate will have an overall moderate body weight but only have excess fat tissue in the abdominal area.

In the case of tummy tuck surgery, the candidates are usually above the age of 40 or 45. At this age, the skin elasticity tends to reduce and the underlying muscles may also become loose or separated. Women who have undergone multiple pregnancies may also benefit from this surgery to regain their pre-pregnancy figure. Sometimes the surgeon may recommend both a tummy tuck and liposuction be performed in conjunction for a particular patient.

If you would like to learn more about plastic surgery procedures performed by Plastic Surgeons Franklin D. Richards, M.D. and A. Dean Jabs, M.D.  please visit https://cosmeticplastics.com/  or  http://breastaugmentationmd.com/

+ posts

Our Plastic Surgery Associates team includes Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. A. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge. Each of our plastic surgeons is board-certified, and together they have over 60 years of combined experience. Drs. Richards, Jabs, and Magge are all highly qualified in procedures for the face, breast, and body, and pride themselves in providing excellent results through our state-of-the-art, Quad A certified operating centers