June 13, 2023 | Body Contouring
5 Minute Read:
Tummy tuck surgery and liposuction are two of the most transformative, popular, and effective plastic surgery procedures available.
Not only can they help patients achieve the contours and trim physique they desire, but women and men can find themselves feeling more comfortable and confident with the way they look.
However, many people find themselves confused with these two procedures as they wonder which is the best for them. The simple answer is: “It depends on what you’re looking to achieve for your body.”
Below, we will explore each of these cosmetic procedures to help you better understand whether a tummy tuck or liposuction is best for you.
What Do These Procedures Do?
While both a tummy tuck and liposuction remove fat from the body to help you achieve a more toned and trim appearance, there are several differences between these cosmetic procedures that are important to note, especially as you decide which procedure may be right for you.
Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure in which the shape, size, and overall appearance of the midsection is adjusted and tightened.
Whether from age, lifestyle, or life events, many men and women develop excess fat in the belly. Not only does a tummy tuck get rid of this fat, but abdominal muscles are tightened (which is especially helpful for women with diastasis recti from pregnancy and childbirth) and excess and sagging skin is removed. This means that your entire midsection can be transformed with a tummy tuck.
Liposuction
For liposuction surgery, stubborn fat is removed from various areas of the body. While liposuction can be used on the abdomen, it can also effectively remove localized fat in the back, thighs, hips, arms, and chin. However, it is important to note that liposuction simply removes fat from the body and does not remove or tighten sagging skin.
How Are These Procedures Performed?
While both a tummy tuck and liposuction procedure can achieve stunning results, they are very different procedures and are performed differently. A tummy tuck surgery is a more extensive and invasive procedure than liposuction.
Here is a quick run-down on how these procedures are performed:
Tummy Tuck
For a tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Agullo will make an incision just above the pubic area. Depending on the type of tummy tuck (full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, or extended tummy tuck), this incision could be a few inches or it could extend to and/or around your hips.
If you have subcutaneous fat in the area, liposuction is actually used in the tummy tuck procedure.
Next, Dr. Agullo will tighten the abdominal muscles with the use of internal sutures with his famous triple plication. Excess skin in the belly will be surgically removed, and the remaining skin will be pulled tight before the incisions are closed.
This procedure helps to give patients a slimmer, more toned look than they can achieve with other procedures (including liposuction).
Liposuction
For a traditional liposuction procedure, a small incision will be made in the skin of the treatment area.
A thin tube called a cannula is inserted through this incision and is used to loosen stubborn fat in the area. Once the fat is loosened, it is suctioned out of your body through the cannula.
Though invasive in nature, liposuction is a less extensive procedure than tummy tuck surgery, which means that there is less recovery time associated with liposuction.
Which Procedure Is Right for You?
As we have discussed, tummy tuck surgery and liposuction can offer stunning, albeit different, results.
If you are looking to correct the look and aesthetic of your entire abdomen, then a tummy tuck is definitely the right choice. However, if you have excess fat in different areas of your body that you want removed, and you are not concerned with removing or tightening the skin in the treatment area, then liposuction may be right for you.
Non-surgical Options
If you struggle with fat, but you don’t feel comfortable “going under the knife,” there are non-surgical options that you can choose to have.
Two of the most effective non-surgical body contouring treatments are BodyTite® and Renuvion®.
Not only do these treatments effectively reduce the amount of fat in your body to give you the toned appearance you desire, but they do so with little to no downtime required.
BodyTite®
The BodyTite® treatment uses radiofrequency energy (RF energy) for radiofrequency-assisted liposuction. For this treatment, a tiny incision will be made in the treatment area. A transmission probe will then be inserted under the skin, while another probe is set above the skin.
These probes direct radiofrequency energy to heat the fat. This heat also causes the skin and tissue to contract, which stimulates collagen and elastin production (two natural proteins that are responsible for the strength and health of the skin).
This treatment can be used on the abdomen, back, hips, legs, arms, buttocks, and breasts to reduce the presence of fat and tighten skin.
Renuvion®
The Renuvion® treatment uses a combination of radiofrequency technology and cold helium plasma technology. This treatment can be used on any area of the body, including those treated by liposuction and a tummy tuck.
With Renuvion®, collagen production is promoted and the skin contracts to create a firmer appearance to the skin as well as more youthful contours that can help you feel proud of the way you look.
Want to Learn More?
If you have questions about liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, or any of the other procedures that Dr. Agullo offers, please give us a call today at (915) 590-7900 or fill out our contact form online.
