Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Understanding the Differences

Sagging skin, unwanted body fat, and other issues with body contour can have a negative impact on the way you look and the way you feel. Thankfully there are treatment options that can help. People throughout the Philadelphia, PA area can benefit from liposuction for targeted fat removal as well as tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to remove sagging skin and stretch marks.

One thing we’ve noticed at Jefferson Plastic Surgery is that people tend to conflate the two procedures when they’re actually quite different. With that in mind, let’s compare tummy tuck and liposuction procedures.

Tummy Tuck: The Basics

A traditional tummy tuck is a surgery that involves three incisions:

• A circular incision around the belly button
• A lateral incision along the lower abdomen from hipbone to hipbone
• A vertical incision connecting the previous two

Using this anchor-shaped set of incisions, cosmetic surgeons can remove excess fat, adjust the underlying structures of the abdominal area, and remove loose skin.

Liposuction: The Basics

Liposuction uses an instrument called a cannula, which is a thin metal tube. The cannula is inserted into part of the body where there is unwanted fat. Suction is then used to remove the fat from that part of the body. Though liposuction is commonly performed on the lower abdomen and love handles, it can also be used on the buttocks, thighs, hips, chest, arms, neck, and even parts of the face.

The Key Difference Between Tummy and Liposuction

Here’s a simple way to sum up the key difference between these body contouring surgeries:

• The tummy tuck is designed to remove loose and sagging skin around the lower abdomen and love handles after major weight loss
• Liposuction is designed to extract unwanted pockets of body fat in various parts of the body

We should note that liposuction can be used as part of a tummy tuck to help with finer sculpting and removal of fat as the underlying structures are being adjusted.

A Similarity Between Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

While the two surgeries differ in a fundamental way, they do share something in common. In order to achieve the best results possible, it’s a good idea to lose weight before undergoing a tummy tuck as well as liposuction. This helps patients develop healthy habits that can translate into long-term aesthetic benefits.

When Is a Tummy Tuck the Right Option for Me?

A tummy tuck is best for patients who have lots of loose skin that hangs from their body. This skin has been stretched out due to weight gain but will not shrink back fully on its own. This includes people who’ve experienced the following:

• Massive weight loss
• Post-bariatric surgery weight loss
• Pregnancy and childbirth

When Is Liposuction the Right Option for Me?

Liposuction is ideal for people who want to get rid of unwanted body fat from various parts of the body. Keep in mind that liposuction is not intended for weight loss, and only about 10 pounds of body fat max can be safely removed. As noted above, natural weight loss prior to liposuction is ideal.

Learn More About Body Contouring

To learn more about your options for body contouring and how we can help you, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic plastic surgeon. The team at Jefferson Plastic Surgery can tailor a body contouring procedure to your needs.