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Liposuction, tummy tuck, or both
Deciding when to have either procedure or both
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Liposuction, or
lipoplasty, is a very popular plastic surgery procedure in which the surgeon takes out fat cells from the body, thereby, reducing weight and giving a better shape to the body. Since fat can be taken out from a specific part of the body, this procedure is good for elimination of localized fat deposits. The most common areas for liposuction are the abdomen
(including the
belly
button), thighs, back, and arms. Lipo, as the procedure is now popularly called, can also be done in other body parts including the face,
chin, and
neck.
Tummy tuck, or
abdominoplasty, on the other hand, is a surgical procedure to eliminate excess fat and skin from the tummy region. It may also involve tightening of the abdominal muscles. Usually if the patient has excess skin in the abdomen region
(Skin
reduction surgery), this is the only option to eliminate it and give a flat or almost
flat
tummy. This procedure is very common among women after
pregnancy, particularly among women who gain a lot of weight during their pregnancy and then cannot get rid of it.
(Related:
How celebrities get fat) |
 How to decide which procedure is right for you?
Only your doctor can tell you for sure after examining you. But if you have a lot of excess skin in the abdomen
(Direct
fat excision), most probably you will need to undergo a tummy tuck procedure. On the other hand, if you have little or no extra skin and mostly fat, you can get away with simple liposuction.
(Related article: Weight
loss after pregnancy - learn from Kate Hudson and
Heidi Klum)
In many cases the surgeon may choose to do a combination procedure that includes both a
tummy tuck and
liposuction. The doctor first eliminates excess fat with liposuction, cuts the excess skin, and if necessary, tightens the abdominal muscles. Some
doctors are now even offering
In office liposuction.
Tummy tuck is a relatively more complex surgery while liposuction, particularly the
stand-up
liposuction, is somewhat simple procedure.
Tummy tuck will require you to be under general anesthesia and there is a
fairly long and painful recovery
period. This surgery also leaves
visible scars but the good news is that you will get a totally flat tummy if you did not have too much fat and almost a flat tummy, if you had a
lot of excess fat and
skin.
Recommended articles: Safety
issues with liposuction Options
for obese patients - improve waist to hip ratio through surgery
Review
of weight loss surgery options
Circumferential
abdominoplasty
Tummy
by Thermage
Liposuction for
obese kids
Myths about plastic surgery
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Why do
I have a tummy
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