Tummy Tuck or Liposuction-Which should you Choose?

A flabby stomach is one of the most common complaints encountered by a plastic surgeon. This cosmetic issue can be resolved either through a tummy tuck or a liposuction procedure. However, certain other factors dictate which treatment is the right choice. No two patients are alike, and the appropriateness of any cosmetic procedure—including a tummy tuck or liposuction—should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis while also taking into account the past health history of the patient.

When you meet with Dr. B. Aviva Preminger in her Manhattan office, she will discuss your goals for an improved body, and the best options suited for your needs.

Tummy tucks – what to expect

A tummy tuck tightens the muscles of your abdominal wall, thus restoring the preferred contour of your torso. The end result is a flat, shapely stomach. This is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures available. The procedure length lasts between 2 and 4 hours, and in most cases, a tummy tuck can be performed on an outpatient basis thanks to advances in medical technology. A patient can expect a recovery period of 8-12 weeks, and can maintain the results of a tummy tuck for the rest of their life by maintaining a good regimen of diet and exercise.

Liposuction – what to expect

Liposuction extracts fat cells from targeted areas of the body. In addition to the abdomen, the thighs, waist, buttocks, arms, and even the neck can be targeted for a liposuction. Like a tummy tuck, liposuction often can be performed on an outpatient basis. The recovery time tends to be less, however. A good candidate for liposuction should be within 10 percent of his or her preferred body weight before undergoing the procedure.

Which option is best for you?

Certain variables determine whether a tummy tuck or liposuction is the better option. For example, if a patient has a significant amount of sagging skin, which is a common consequence of individuals who have experienced a massive weight loss or women after a pregnancy, then a tummy tuck is the right choice. A tummy tuck is the only way to repair the muscles of the abdomen, which have loosened from the abdominal wall. Other patients may benefit from liposuction, which entails making a few round incisions as small as a grain of rice that are used to eliminate the fat.

Determining the best treatment option also is partially dependent on whether a patient can tolerate a small amount of excess skin in the area of their abdomen. In some cases, patients are advised to undergo liposuction first, and then wait three or four months to see if they are happy with the results. By waiting, the skin has time to shrink as much as possible.

Some patients may benefit from a combination of both tummy tuck and liposuction. If there are large areas of fat that need to be removed, it is recommended to stage each surgery, thus minimizing the total amount of surgical trauma and/or bleeding. Certain surgeons prefer to perform a tummy tuck after liposuction, while others opt to invert that order. Each approach will vary, depending on the anatomy and cosmetic goals of the patient, as well as the experience, skills, and preferred techniques of the surgeon performing the procedure.

Plastic Surgery in NYC

To learn more about a tummy tuck, liposuction, or any of the other cosmetic procedures offered at Preminger Plastic Surgery, call our office at (866) 201-9828.

Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, Preminger Plastic Surgery is proud to offer world-class services in plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery.