3 Things to Think About When Deciding Between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck

Posted November 08, 2022 in Liposuction, Tummy Tuck

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Considering a cosmetic procedure to improve your figure? With all the options available to recontour your belly and waist, you can easily find a cosmetic solution designed to meet your unique needs.

A woman checks her waist size with a tape measure

The two most well-known and popular body sculpting treatments are tummy tuck surgery and liposuction. While they can both work wonders when toning the midsection (and reduce excess fat in the abdomen), they are not interchangeable.

While a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the only way to learn for sure which treatment (or combination of treatments) will best suit your needs, you should ask yourself the following questions to help determine which surgical technique may be most appropriate.

1. Do You Have Loose Skin?

If you have very loose skin hanging on your abdomen due to significant weight loss or pregnancy, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is your best solution.

Abdominoplasty can smooth your tummy and waist by removing excess skin and residual fat. Alternatively, liposuction is a fat reduction treatment that minimizes or eliminates pockets of diet and exercise-resistant fat. Liposuction does not remove loose skin nor does it significantly tighten minor skin laxity.

2. Do You Have Loose Abdominal Muscles?

If your abdominal concerns are due to loose or separated muscles, then a tummy tuck is necessary. A tummy tuck has the ability to suture the loose muscles back together (like an internal corset). This is something that liposuction cannot do, since liposuction is primarily designed to reduce unwanted fat.

3. Do You Have Stubborn Fat Elsewhere on Your Body?

Liposuction is your best bet if you want to address stubborn fat pockets in the lower belly as well as other parts of your body.

Infographic showing what can be achieved with liposuction and tummy tuck.

Because it’s so versatile, liposuction can reduce fat in the following areas:

Chin
Neck
Back
Waist
Belly
Hips
Buttocks
Thighs
Knees

Expect a smoother, well-contoured body when receiving liposuction from a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Other Ways to Enhance Your Abdomen

Increase and Define Your Muscles

Emsculpt Neo® – Choosing treatment with Emsculpt Neo® can strengthen and tone muscles with electromagnetic stimulation. High-intensity focused electromagnetic technology (HIFEM®) is applied to the abdomen or buttocks to build muscles by causing them to contract repeatedly.

Non-surgical Alternatives or Additions

For milder cases of loose skin or unwanted fat, the following non-surgical options can help reduce fat, tighten skin, or improve muscle definition:

SculpSure® laser treatment – Remove diet and exercise-resistant pockets of fat in the following areas with SculpSure®:

Chin
Abdomen
Flanks
Back
Thighs

During this procedure, the laser heats fat under the skin while keeping the treatment areas cool for your comfort, with no anesthetic needed. Several sessions are recommended for ideal results.

Body Sculpting in Miami, FL

Dr. Daniel Careaga and Dr. Paul Durand are both well-respected, board-certified plastic surgeons in Miami, Florida, who provide liposuction, tummy tucks, and non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
When you’re ready to talk about effective cosmetic procedures that can deliver dramatic results, call Careaga Plastic Surgery at (305) 960-7511.