Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) For a Flatter Stomach

Liposuction or lipectomy is generally considered a minimally invasive cosmetic surgical procedure. During this procedure, Dr Doyle will suction excess fat out from targeted areas of the body permanently, thereby shaping and adding definition to that area. It reduces stubborn fat in areas of the body resistant to conventional weight loss methods like dietary modification and regular exercise.

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure wherein Dr Doyle removes excess skin from the stomach area, which has a smoothing and tightening effect on your midsection.

Both surgeries are similar, yet they apply different surgical techniques to achieve the preferred abdominal shape. Each has its own merits and demerits.

Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Both liposuction and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are beneficial in people with body shaping surgery goals. But they have some important differences:

Liposuction

It is a highly individualised cosmetic procedure. It may be the procedure for you if you:

• Are of normal weight range with firm skin, but have excess fat deposited in certain areas of the body only.
• Have realistic expectations regarding the results of the procedure.
• Are sticking to a healthy diet plan and regularly exercising, but still cannot get rid of stubborn fat from certain areas of your body.
• Planning to change your body shape.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) may be the right procedure if you:

• Are physically healthy and in a stable weight range.
• Are not planning for any more pregnancies in the near future
• Have loose skin around your abdomen following significant weight loss.
• Want to reduce excess skin on your stomach after pregnancy.
• Have realistic goals for the procedure.

Find out which is best for you with the help of our quiz…

How Different Are the Procedures?

Liposuction needs local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will help make the best decision as to what method of anesthesia is recommended. There are different ways to remove fat cells. Depending on your treatment goals and proper areas for fat removal, Dr Doyle will choose the most suitable fat removal method during your consultation.

Tumescent liposuction

It is the most prevalent method of fat extraction. Intumescent liposuction is as follows:

• Dr Doyle will make small, inconspicuous incisions around the target areas to remove the fat. This helps in reducing post-operative scarring.
• First, diluted local anesthesia will be infused to reduce discomfort, bleeding, and trauma.
• Then, a thin cannula will be inserted through the incisions to loosen and dislodge excess fat cells from the site using a controlled back-and-forth motion.
• After that, the dislodged fat will be suctioned out of the body using a syringe attached to the cannula.
• Finally, incisions will be stitched after fat removal.

Vaser Liposuction

Vaser lipo or ultrasonic liposuction is a recent addition to the field of body sculpting in cosmetic surgery. In Vaser liposuction, the cannula will be energised with ultrasound, making it ultrasonographically charged, and will be inserted through multiple small incisions.

The cannula’s ultrasound vibrations destroy the fat cells’ walls, and emulsify, or liquefy, the fat, making it easier to suction out, using suction-assisted liposuction. 

Power-Assisted Liposuction

The procedure involved is similar to tumescent liposuction. The only difference is using a specialised cannula with a mechanised system. This vibrates back and forth rapidly to accelerate the breakdown of the fat cells and help remove them easily. This allows less time for completing the procedure, minimal tissue trauma, and faster recovery.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

The stepwise tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure is as below:

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) will be performed under General anesthesia. After administration of the anesthetic:

• The amount of skin to be removed will be marked before the operation.
• An incision will be made that spans the entire length of the abdomen.
• After the incision is made, the abdominal skin will be lifted upwards. However, your umbilicus remains attached to the underlying abdominal skin.
• Then, the abdominal musculature will be revealed with the attached umbilicus. The exposed muscle layer will be tightened using a running suture. Then the muscles are brought together into the midline.
• Excess skin will pull downward. The original hole will lift along with the skin that lies below this line and gets resected along with the excess skin, and the wound will close.

What to Expect as Results?

Liposuction is a method for permanent fat removal from the targeted area. However, significant weight gain or subsequent pregnancy after liposuction can diminish the results.

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can change the abdomen’s shape by removing excess fat and skin by bringing the rectus abdominis back together. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) results are generally considered permanent. Similar to liposuction, significant fluctuations in weight and subsequent pregnancy can change the results.

What Are the Benefits?

Liposuction

• Helps get rid of excess stubborn fat that does not respond to conventional methods of weight reduction.
• The procedure can be done with a few small incisions and with minimal post-operative scarring.
• Provides an improved shape to your body, and your clothes can fit better.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

• Improves your abdominal tone.
• Helps remove excess skin from the abdomen following significant weight loss after pregnancy or any other condition.
• Helps improve posture.

How Is the Recovery Time?

Liposuction

Bandages and compression garments will be applied over your incision sites and surrounding areas. Temporary surgical drains may also be used to drain out excess local anesthetic or blood buildup under the skin. The dressings must remain in place for one week. You must wear the compression garment for up to six weeks following the surgery. Despite the dressings, you can still take a shower.

You will require someone to drive you home from John Flynn Private Hospital, where your surgery will be performed. Also, it is advised to take leave from work for a few days.

Tenderness, bruising, and swelling commonly occur after the surgery. Dr Doyle will prescribe pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics as needed to help you manage these common conditions. Infections after liposuction are rare, but can easily be managed with antibiotics.

You will need to meet the surgeon for follow-ups to ensure the healing process is going appropriately. Normal work can resume in about two weeks after the surgery, but this is individual-specific and extensiveness of the surgery. However, it can take several months to recover completely after the surgery and see full results in the treated areas.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

In this procedure, Dr Doyle will place drainage tubes under your skin to prevent fluid accumulation, which helps incisions to heal properly. It would be best if you avoid showering or making the area wet for the period.

You should stay in the hospital for 24 hours for monitoring purposes. Pain, swelling, and bruising are common after the procedure. Still, the majority of swelling should subside after about six weeks. Dr Doyle will prescribe you pain medications to relieve pain, as required. You will need to wear pressure garments for about three weeks postoperatively.

You will be able to return to light activity within about two weeks after a tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty). Although you should always consult with your surgeon before resuming any strenuous physical activity. Complete tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) recovery and the final result are generally expected six months after the surgery.

Risks and Complications 

Liposuction

Complications associated with liposuction include:

• Complications related to anesthesia: Development of rashes, loss of consciousness
• Infection at the incision site
• Bruising at the incision site
• Persistent swelling
• Poor wound healing
• Persistent numbness and changes in skin sensation
• Damage to underlying structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and nearby organs
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Seroma formation
• Irregular pigmentation
• Irregular shape
• Heat injury from ultrasound-charged cannulas in Vaser liposuction
• Fat embolism

You may need revision surgery if the obtained results are asymmetric or in cases of complications.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Complications associated with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) include:

• As the operation requires general anesthesia, complications related to anesthetics, such as dizziness and loss of consciousness, may occur
• Bleeding from the incision site
• Infection at the incision site
• Persistent pain
• Seroma- Fluid accumulation
• Poor wound healing at the wound site
• Large visible scarring
• Skin loss is more than anticipated
• Changes in skin sensation around the area of surgery
• Change in skin colour
• Recurrent looseness of skin
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Asymmetric skin removal results
• Possibility of a revision surgery

Which Procedure Is Best For Me, Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) or Liposuction?

There is no exact answer as to which one you should choose. Subcutaneous abdominal fat can be removed by liposuction or tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). As for which procedure is best for achieving a flatter abdomen, it depends on your surgical goals and your situation. Subcutaneous belly fat can be removed by both.

If you’re looking to just lose the stubborn fat from your abdomen, you may be recommended liposuction. But if you want to get rid of excess skin from your abdomen, then a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) may be the most suitable option.

These two procedures can complement each other. Combining liposuction and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) will give you the benefits of both surgeries. Removing both excess fat and skin from your abdomen.

FAQs

Can Liposuction Cause Scars?

Any procedure involving incisions into layers of skin results in wounds, and hence, scars are visible for some time. Liposuction is no exception. However, excessive scarring is not routinely seen after liposuction due to the thin cannulas used for the procedure.

How Much Weight Can I Lose With Liposuction?

Liposuction should not be used as an operation to reduce weight. You will generally only lose about 1 – 4 kilograms following liposuction. 

Does Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Include Love Handles?

No, this procedure does not cover love handles (hips), but a variant of it, known as extended tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) covers hips (love handles).

Will My Health Insurance Cover Liposuction?

As Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery procedure, done mostly without medical indications, you will generally have to bear all costs, as your health insurance will not cover it.

Will Insurance Cover a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?

If it is a cosmetic surgical procedure, undertaken without any medical indications. Health insurance companies usually don’t cover that. Therefore, you will need to pay all costs of a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) on your own. If you choose to undergo Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery for medical indications, Medicare and your health insurance may cover a portion of the cost. Find out the criteria in our blog, Will Medicare Cover My Abdominoplasty?

How Can I Flatten My Stomach After Liposuction?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating a healthy diet can complement liposuction results in weight reduction and give you a firmer, cosmetic-looking stomach. 

References

• Risks of Liposuction – ASPS
  
• Liposuction – Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
  
• Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) – Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
  
• What is the Difference Between a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) and Liposuction?