Do you desire a flatter stomach? Are you looking into some extra help cosmetically to improve the appearance of your abdominal area but aren’t quite sure what treatment you need? A commonly asked question by Baton Rouge, LA patients who want to improve their midsection, is what is the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck? Will I need both or just one in order to get the results I want? Both cosmetic procedures can provide a solution to helping patients contour or reshape their midsection, but each treatment is performed for different reasons.
Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Erick Sanchez of the Sanchez Plastic Surgery Center in Baton Rouge, LA, is an experienced and highly qualified plastic surgeon who can provide one or both of these cosmetic procedures to patients who want a flatter stomach. The first step is understanding the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck so you can gain insight on the right procedure to give your midsection a helpful nudge to looking great!
What can Liposuction do?
Liposuction is ideal for patients who want to remove excess fat in certain areas. After patients have done all the work of getting fit and losing the weight, there can be “pockets” or areas on the body where stubborn fatty tissue can settle. In some cases, no amount of exercising or training can eliminate this issue. Common areas where liposuction can help remove excess fat are the arms, chin, hips, butt, “love handles”, breasts and the most popular area, the abdomen or stomach area. Liposuction provides the solution of removing extra fatty tissue (that stubborn “belly pooch”) in order to give patients a more slimmer look, especially in their midsection.
What can a tummy tuck do?
A tummy tuck, also known as a abdominoplasty, is the cosmetic procedure of removing excess skin and tightening the abdominal muscles in order to help contour and reshape a patient’s midsection. It can also help with removing or reducing the appearance of stretch marks. A tummy tuck procedure can be customized to give each patient depending on what they need in order to reach their end goal. Some patients may require a standard or traditional tummy tuck while others may need only a mini tuck or in some cases, a more extensive approach with an extended tummy tuck.
The primary difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck is that liposuction serves to remove fat, while a tummy tuck is geared towards skin tightening and contouring. The two can be used together or as isolated procedures to attain the look you most desire.
Which one would I need?
When it comes to the stomach or abdominal area Baton Rouge, LA patients commonly inquire about liposuction or a tummy tuck, or in some cases, both! As with all cosmetic surgeries, consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Erick Sanchez, should be the first priority for any patient looking into cosmetic help. Both treatments are an excellent ways to reshape and contour your midsection but what each patient needs is the key factor. Patients who need help with excess skin due to weight loss or loose abdominal muscles due to pregnancy may opt for a tummy tuck procedure. If a patient only needs some excess fat removed in their abdominal region and they gave relatively healthy skin laxity then liposuction may be all that is needed.
When are both needed at the same time?
In many cases, weight loss patients or those who have completely pregnancies are good candidates for a combination approach of liposuction and skin tightening by way of a tummy tuck. This is because in both cases, the skin is stretched to accommodate weight gain and weight loss and many times cannot conform to the new body shape, leaving loose skin behind. In addition, even though the weight may be gone, isolated pockets of fat could still remain, which can be treated with liposuction. During a tummy tuck with liposuction, the incision is made just below the belly button area and liposuction is usually used first to remove the excess fat. Once this aspect of the procedure is completed, the loose skin is trimmed away and pulled tight for an all-around abdominal makeover. Each surgical case varies and requires a unique approach based on the amount of fat and loose skin that is being addressed.
Both liposuction and/or a tummy tuck are cosmetic procedures that can be the ideal solution for healthy, non-smoking adults in need of a little help to go from looking good to looking fabulous! A tummy tuck can remove that nagging, loose skin you see in your stomach area. Liposuction can remove that pesky, stubborn fat you just can’t seem to shake in order to make you look even slimmer and more fit. Both procedures are not an answer to weight loss but if you are at your ideal weight, then both can provide you with an improved midsection appearance so your clothes will fit and feel even better.
Dr. Erick Sanchez, of the Sanchez Plastic Surgery Center, is a leading plastic surgeon in the Baton Rouge area. He is highly focused on giving his patients the latest body contouring options and creates a quality doctor-patient relationship during the consultation so his patients are happy with their end results. If you are considering a tummy tuck or liposuction call or schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Sanchez in Baton Rouge, LA today.