Liposuction or Tummy Tuck? Which Is Right for You?
Your belly is the worst place to carry extra weight. Belly fat increases your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes and can contribute to other unhealthy chronic conditions. Easy to put on but hard to get rid of, belly fat can also result in unexpected problems when you try to lose it. Even if you’re able to reduce your weight significantly, that flat tummy you were aiming for can remain elusive. Often the only way to achieve the sleek abdominal silhouette you want is through cosmetic surgery. Both liposuction and tummy tucks can flatter your stomach, but how do you know which procedure is right for you?
Deciding which cosmetic surgery procedures will best help you achieve your personal appearance goals is a decision that should be undertaken in close consultation with a board-certified Cleveland plastic surgeon. Liposuction and tummy tucks are not interchangeable procedures. Each addresses excess abdominal fat and tissue in a different way and provides different results.
Board-certified Cleveland plastic surgeon Dr. Vicente Poblete says he looks at 3 things to determine whether a patient is a better candidate for liposuction or a tummy tuck:
- The amount of excess skin and how loose it is;
- The amount of fat deposits and where they are located, particularly whether fat deposits are localized or encircle the patient’s body; and
- The presence or absence of laxity in the abdomen muscle wall.
Skin and muscle laxity – the skin’s ability to “snap back” to its original taut form – is a key consideration in choosing between liposuction and a tummy tuck. Obesity or pregnancy can stretch skin and muscles beyond their ability to return to their former condition. When a patient’s primary issue is accumulated fat deposits, liposuction often provides the best solution. However, if excess skin is the problem, a tummy tuck can provide superior results. Many patients benefit from a combination of the two procedures.