Liposuction: Info, Prices, Photos, Reviews, Q&A

Liposuction is the removal of fat whereas a tummy tuck is intended to primarily tighten loose skin. When the patient presents with some excess fat of the abdominal wall and the overlying skin is of good quality, liposuction is a good technique.

Liposuction will remove the underlying fat and, in this case, the skin should be expected to readapt and tighten on its own. When stretch marks or loose skin are present however, a tummy tuck is the best treatment for comprehensive flattening of the abdominal wall.

A tummy tuck will treat several different components contributing to the abdominal wall protuberance. When a tummy tuck is performed, an incision is made from one hip to the other.

This incision is carried through the skin and fat layer down to the underlying muscle layer.

The muscle layer is not entered. The skin and fat layer is then lifted off of the muscle layer until the bellybutton is reached. At this point, an incision is made around the bellybutton, allowing the skin and fat layer to be lifted off of the bellybutton.

The skin and fat layer is then lifted off the upper abdomen up to the rib cage margin. Very often, the muscle is then tightened first. The skin and fat layer is then pulled snugly downward and the excess skin and fat are removed.

The wound is then closed. The bellybutton is then brought out through a new hole made directly over the top of it. The position of the bellybutton does not change. A tummy tuck is a much more extensive operation and is necessary if there is loose skin or stretch marks present.

The recovery associated with the tummy tuck is significantly longer than liposuction alone. (John J. Edney, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)

The decision about liposuction vs. tummy tuck or both will depend on whether your abdomen has excess fat, loose skin, or if your abdominal muscles need to be reattached.

Sometimes during pregnancy, a mother’s abdominal muscles can shift or even tear necessitating surgery to reattach them and restore the appearance of a flatter abdomen. Additionally, abdominoplasty can effectively remove excess skin and some stretch marks (if stretch marks are located in the treatment area) produced by pregnancy.

To decide which procedure(s) is/are best for your specific case, it’s best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon so he or she can examine your specific concerns. (C. Edwin Pittman, MD, Athens Plastic Surgeon)

If you have excess bulk or fat in your abdominal area without loose skin, then liposuction may be the right choice for you. I stress to all of my patients that liposuction is a body contouring method, not a weight loss method.

Liposuction can be very successful for the right candidate and can allow you to regain your pre pregnancy figure. However, if the problem is excess skin and stretch marks in the abdominal area, a tummy tuck would be the procedure of choice for you.

A tummy tuck will tighten the muscle layer beneath the skin and remove the excess skin that has been stretched due to pregnancy. Schedule a consultation with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your concerns and examine the options that will benefit you the most. (Christopher J. Morea, MD, Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction removes pockets of fat located on certain areas of the body while an abdominoplasty removes and tightens the excess skin from the abdomen while tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. (Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction is designed to remove excess fat. A tummy tuck will tighten your muscles and remove and reshape your loose skin. They produce the most beautiful results when done at the same time. Liposuction abdominoplasty includes liposuction of the entire abdomen.

This loosens the skin more, which allows the tummy tuck to be done at the same time while preserving the blood supply for predictably safe wound healing. I would not recommend doing liposuction by itself if you also have loose skin.

If you do that you will need 2 surgeries instead of one. (John Silverton, MD, Stockton Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck Usually Good for Mothers

A full tummy tuck will remove the excess skin and tighten the abdominal muscles that were stretched from pregnancy. Liposuction is an option but will only reduce the thickness of the skin. It will not remove the excess skin and flatten your stomach to the “pre-baby look.” (Louis C. Cutolo, Jr., MD, FACS, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction and tummy tuck differ in who is the best candidate and the results that it delivers. Liposuction removes excess fat, while tummy tuck is designed to remove loose skin. If you have loose skin from pregnancy, weight loss, and back and forth weight gain and loss.

If you have had several pregnancies, most likely you would need a tummy tuck. But, a liposuction performed in conjunction of your tummy tuck can make the results even better. especially, your plastic surgeon can liposuction your flanks in order to creat a smaller waist and an hourglass figure! (Sean Younai, MD, FACS, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction vs. tummy tuck – what’s the difference?

Many women develop stretch marks, abdominal wall weakness, and loose skin after pregnancies. Tummy tuck is the best choice to address all three of these problems. Sometimes liposuction and a more limited tummy tuck will give you the best results.

Very few women, after having kids, would only need liposuction to get the pre-baby look that they desire. (John Zavell, MD, FACS, Toledo Plastic Surgeon)

Without a physical examination it is difficult to give you a recommendation as to whether or not you need a tummy tuck or just liposuction of the abdomen to give you the look you desire.

However, in my experience most women benefit most from a tummy tuck after pregnancy. A tummy tuck involves removing any excess skin and tightening the abdominal muscles which can become lax after pregnancy. I perform liposuction of the abdomen in conjunction with a tummy tuck to provide additional contouring by removing any excess fatty deposits that are not removed with the excess skin. (Morgan E. Norris, III, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Often after childbirth, there is separation of the rectus muscles, also called rectus diastasis. This condition can negatively contribute to the abdominal contour and cannot be treated by liposuction alone.

Liposuction is an effective way to remove the fatty deposits beneath the skin, but it also will not address excessive loose skin.

It is best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and discuss the best options to restore your abdominal contour. (David S. Chang, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction helps with fatty deposits and is best if there is little skin looseness. If you have stretch marks and loose skin and some relaxation of the muscles of the abdomen often a tummy tuck will give the best result.

The benefit to liposuction alone is that is has less scarring, is less expensive, and has an easier recovery. However, it does not correct muscle separation and if you already have loose skin it can make it worse. (Susan D. Vasko, MD, FACS, Columbus Plastic Surgeon)

Every patient is unique, and your physical examination and evaluation of your expectations by your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is critical when it comes to aesthetic body contouring. A Tummy Tuck will address both excess fat as well as excess skin and tighten your abdominal muscles.

Liposuction alone will only address excess fat below the skin and can have some rebound skin tightening effects. Smartlipo Triplex can also help tighten skin. (Arthur M. Cambeiro, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction removes fat only and then relies on the skin’s elasticity to contract. A tummy tuck removes the skin and all of the fat on the lower abdomen. The tummy tuck is much more dramatic, but has a longer incision and recovery.

Typically tummy tucks are for patients who have had babies or major weight loss. (David Stoker, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Generally speaking, if you have loose skin or muscle laxity, you will benefit from a tummy tuck. (Paul S. Gill, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction removes the fat and the Tummy tuck removes fat, excess of skin and muscle. It is hard to tell which procedure will be best for you they are 2 different procedures. (Jhonny Salomon, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

Both procedures have their place in achieving a better looking abdomen. If your fascia is tight and you have good skin quality, a liposuction may be all you need. If you have abdominal wall laxity, excess skin and stretch marks, you will need a tummy tuck.

Many patients have all of the above and will need a combo liposuction/tummy tuck performed at the same time. The best result can be achieved by performing a tummy tuck first followed later by a liposuction.

Doing a liposuction first then a tummy tuck is somewhat harder to do because of all the scarring from the liposuction. Also the skin has contracted from the liposuction and is harder to stretch out during the tummy tuck.

When you do a tummy tuck first, the subsequent liposuction allows for even more skin shrinkage and better contouring. Also any revision to the scar can be done at the second surgery. (Kurtis Martin, MD, Cincinnati Plastic Surgeon)

Both procedures can have great results but tummy tuck is a more involved operation with a longer recovery and more restrictions for recuperation.

If you have some extra fat but your skin is not “saggy” then liposuction is perfect. If you have droopy skin an abdominoplasty is perfect. Sometimes, however, you can get good results with a mini-abdominoplasty and liposuction of the upper abdomen and this recovery is also quite rapid.

In my practice we aim to provide the best result that will fit into each specific patient’s lifestyle. (Diana L. Elias, MD, Saint Petersburg Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction is ideal for removing pockets of stubborn fat. It is volume reducing, but it does not address loose skin post pregnancy. Liposuction is far less invasive than a tummy tuck procedure and the recovery is much shorter.

A tummy tuck is designed to reshape the tummy area and will remove sagging skin. I would speak to your physician about his/her recommendations on which procedure would be recommended. In many cases patients would benefit from a combination tummy tuck with liposuction in order to achieve the contoured look they desire.

All of those options are addressed through the consultation process. (Jeffrey W. Hall, MD, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

Pregnancy can cause separation of the rectus muscles and this is repaired after tummy-tuck. Patients also have extra abdominal skin which is removed during tummy tuck procedure. Liposuction is used selectively during tummy-tuck for finesse contouring.

Liposuction alone is usually less than optimal-it results in loose, sagging skin and does not address the muscle separation. (Tracy Pfeifer, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)