What is the Difference Between a Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?
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While abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, and liposuction are similar, they are different surgical procedures. They both can change how your abdominal area looks and create a sculpted look. However, in terms of their approach, both have different recovery times and risks. During a consultation with Dr. Brandon-Dzung Mang at Rejuve Aesthetic Surgery, you can learn more about the differences between a tummy tuck and liposuction when you’re looking for body contouring, skin tightening, and fat removal surgery in Atlanta, GA.
What’s the difference between lipo and a tummy tuck?
While both are performed by experienced plastic surgeons, such as Dr. Mang, they are different. The biggest difference between the two is that liposuction removes small fat deposits while a tummy tuck can remove loose, sagging, or excess fat or skin, which cannot be fixed by diet and exercise alone. Tummy tuck surgery requires extensive incisions that lead to a longer healing time than liposuction, which has small incisions and minimal recovery. Also, tummy tuck scars are more noticeable than liposuction scars.
Who is the best candidate for a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is best for someone who wants to remove excess skin in the abdominals. Whether due to pregnancy or extreme weight loss, the skin can stretch significantly in that area. A tummy tuck at Rejuve Aesthetic Surgery is used to sculpt and flatten the midsection. It also can be used on patients who have experienced diastasis recti, the separation of abdominal muscles. This can lead to a bulge or pouch in the area, leading to discomfort and back pain.
However, this surgery isn’t for everyone. Patients who aren’t usually candidates for a tummy tuck in Atlanta, GA are those:
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With a BMI over 30
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Who want to get pregnant in the future
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Are still trying to lose weight
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Have a chronic heart condition
During a consultation, Dr. Mang can evaluate your health and listen to your goals for surgery to determine if you’re a candidate for tummy tuck surgery.
Who should get liposuction?
Liposuction in Atlanta, GA is best suited for those who already are at their goal weight but have stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise won’t remove. During liposuction, Dr. Mang will make small incisions and insert a cannula to loosen and remove this fat. It’s much less invasive than a tummy tuck, and recovery is short. It’s important to understand that we don’t use lipo as a weight loss solution; it must be used with diet and exercise to maintain your lipo results.
Tummy tuck vs lipo results
When it comes to a tummy tuck or liposuction, they both create a flatter and more sculpted figure. However, one is more long-lasting than the other. Tummy tuck results are long-term as the surgery strengthens ab muscles and the abdominal wall. Excess skin is also removed and won’t return unless you become pregnant again or gain a lot of weight. With lipo, your results may fluctuate depending on your weight, which is why we say that our patients must follow a healthy diet with exercise to consider liposuction.
Consider the differences between a tummy tuck and liposuction for your body goals
When you’re considering surgery, schedule an in-person or virtual consultation at Rejuve Aesthetic Surgery with Dr. Brandon-Dzung Mang to learn which surgery suits your needs best. He can review the surgery, all recovery instructions, and potential results with you to help you make an informed decision. Call our Atlanta, GA office today to schedule this important appointment.