Having to live with stubborn fats that do not seem to disappear throughout your life or even after pregnancy can have a negative impact on your daily life. After a while, it becomes more than just an annoyance – it may even start to affect your confidence, self-esteem, and overall body image. When no amount of fat-burning lotions, exercise, or other home remedies work, perhaps, it is time to consider a tummy tuck and/or liposuction.
With that said, which treatment is better for your skin condition? Can the two tummy tightening procedures complement each other? To learn the differences between the two, continue reading the article as we share everything you need to know about tummy tuck and liposuction.
Tummy tuck, defined
Tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic and functional surgical treatment that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The procedure seeks to tighten the abdominal muscles and corrects any hernias, such as umbilical hernia. Tummy tuck also removes stomach fat as well as tightens and repositions the skin in the abdomen to give individuals a more toned appearance.
As such, tummy tuck is a better option than liposuction if you have a weaker lower abdominal wall or excess skin/fat around your belly button area. It is important that you ask yourself the necessary questions before opting for a tummy tuck, such as ‘Is the doctor experienced enough?’ and ‘Which type of abdominoplasty am I getting?’.
Tummy tuck procedure
There are two different procedures to a tummy tuck, namely:
- Mini tummy tuck
A mini tummy tuck is a surgery focusing on the lower abdomen. The operation begins with our skilled plastic surgeon making a small incision along the pelvic line to expose the lower abdomen. This is to tighten loose skin before bringing the skin flap over to cover the tissues and muscles.
- Full tummy tuck
A full tummy tuck is recommended for people with excess skin or weak abdominal muscles. When the entire abdominal wall is involved, it is considered as a full tummy tuck. To begin, our certified surgeon will make two incisions – one above the pelvic line and the other around the navel. A third incision at the new navel position will be made before removing the extra skin. Once completed, all incisions will be closed.
Reasons for a tummy tuck
There are various reasons why you should consider getting a tummy tuck – such as stubborn fat, genetics, or other aesthetic reasons. All these factors might be impeding your health and everyday routine.
Causes of loose /excess skin around the tummy areas:
- Natural body type
- Significant weight changes
- Abdominal surgery (C-section, and the like)
- Aging
- Post-pregnancy
What is liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that utilizes suction to remove fat from specific parts of the body. These regions include the arms, neck, thighs, hips, buttocks, and abdomen. Fats extracted during a liposuction treatment can be re-injected into the body to create a pleasing contour such as breast augmentation.
Liposuction is suitable for people who are currently within their ideal body weight range but would like to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat that refuse to go away regardless of improved exercise habits and/or healthy diet.
Liposuction procedure
The first step to liposuction is administering general local anesthetic, which might include injecting the tumescent fluid into the tissue to be treated. Our surgeon will break up the fat tissue into tiny particles or emulsify it into liquid droplets so that it may be readily suctioned out.
There are several methods to this, such as manual liposuction, VASER liposuction, and power-assisted liposuction. Fat is suctioned out using a liposuction cannula and device. Depending on the technique, this may be done in conjunction with fat preparation. Lastly, any surgical incisions will be closed. The actual approach may change slightly depending on the requirements and conditions of each patient. All in all, the procedure typically takes about one to three hours or more to be performed, and patients might need to be monitored for a few hours post-surgery before being discharged.
Benefits of combing liposuction and tummy tuck
Liposuction and a tummy tuck are two distinct procedures. Liposuction is primarily a contouring procedure, whereas a tummy tuck is a more invasive operation that encompasses several aspects of correction. That said, it is hardly surprising that tummy tucks are frequently combined with liposuction. When substantial amounts of fat are removed by liposuction, extra skin will be left behind and it can be unattractive to the eye.
By combining these two fat moving and skin tightening procedures, you can get significant results that address the issues of excess skin and stubborn fat consecutively. Moreover, it allows you to get better body contouring results, which may be challenging to obtain for some individuals if done separately.
Ultimately, whether or not you decide to get a tummy tuck or opt for both depends on your needs and the professional advice of a board-certified surgeon. At The Clifford Surgery Clinic, our reputable plastic surgeon at Mount Elizabeth is highly-experienced and is well-versed in all aspects of surgery.
Improve your body image with The Clifford Surgery Clinic
Though you may perceive them to be similar procedures, liposuction and a tummy tuck are two different operations with varying goals. Prior to deciding on a tummy tuck or a combination of the two, it is highly recommended that you consult with a skilled plastic surgeon. Though these procedures can offer an individual’s self-esteem a much-needed boost, they are hardly a hasty decision to consider and, thus, should not be taken lightly. As such, it is crucial to think about your long-term objectives and communicate them well with a trusted surgeon so that they can see how to fit in a tummy tuck and liposuction procedure for you.
Here at The Clifford Surgery Clinic, we offer a suite of plastic surgery procedures to meet the needs of individuals – such as breast implants and ptosis repair in Singapore. Have peace of mind as our certified plastic surgeon comes equipped with a keen eye for detail paired with extensive training and experience in reconstructive, aesthetic, and plastic surgery, reconstructive microsurgery, and supermicrosurgery.
So, if you seek a trusted plastic surgery at Mount Elizabeth, do not hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment.