Difference Between Liposuction and Tummy Tuck – If you have additional weight in your abdominal area, you can consider surgical procedures. Liposuction and tummy tuck are very much alike. Their principal aim is to replace the physical look of your stomach to appear smaller and tighter. However, their difference comes from surgical procedures, the healing period, and the risks involved.
1. Liposuction Vs. Tummy Tuck
Liposuction is best for discarding stubborn fats centered in a particular area. It is effective for safely deleting fatty tissues. The surgery can be done in other places except for the stomach, like thighs, arms, chin, and butt. It is suitable for individuals with flawless skin and muscle tone.
People that do not have the stress of additional skin in the abdomen. It will improve the patient’s shape, as was the primary concern before. The best candidates for liposuction are:
Are around 20 pounds of the average weight
I have never been pregnant
Never had issues concerned with skin sagging
Removal of excess fat has been diet-resistant
A tummy tuck is also named abdominoplasty. It is a beautiful surgery to get rid of excess skin and tighten underlying muscles. There is rearranging loose skin in the abdomen, leaving the stomach tighter and smaller. The tummy tuck is the perfect choice for a patient whose main issue is stretched skin.
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are:
Have you ever been pregnant
Have a lot of loose and excess skin
And also, have problems concerned with their flexible muscles
Want removal of both fat and tightening of the skin
2. What Is Removed In The Procedure
In liposuction, fat deposits in the thighs, stomach, or hips are removed. In a tummy tuck, extra layers of fat and skin are removed, which are not fixable with exercising or dieting.
3. Scarring After The Procedures
Like most surgical procedures, liposuction and tummy tuck will lead to scarring. For liposuction, the chances of developing a visible scar are low. The incision sites are minor and will be hidden by the undergarments.
In tummy tucks, the incisions are more extensive because of the tummy tuck procedure leading to a greater risk of scarring. Before, the scars caused by tummy tucks caused spots from one side of the hip to the other. However, experienced surgeons can put the incisions in areas easily hidden by clothes. Scars can be minimal with proper aftercare and also using scar removal treatments. They include light therapy, skin resurfacing, steroid therapy, and micro-needling.
4. Results After Procedure
In a tummy tuck, the procedural outcome is permanent and long-lasting. The skin removed in the procedure won’t come back, except if you become pregnant or have a weight change.
The best possible liposuction results are the outcome remaining constant and permanent, but only if you do not gain weight. If you gain weight, the fat will reform but not particularly in the areas suctioned.
5. Likely Side Effects And Complications
With both surgeries, you should be aware of the possibilities of these:
Tummy tuck likely risks are:
Wound infections cause patients’ readmission to the hospital
Shift in sensation
Accumulation of fluids
Liposuction risks are higher if the surgeon is working on a broader area, likely chances are:
Accumulation of fluids. Seroma might form beneath the skin.
Curving boundary non-uniformity. It can make the skin seem less smooth.
Numbness in the area operated. It is temporary but can be permanent.
The uncommon risks are:
Infection on your incision
Puncture in the internal organ when cannula enters deeply (very rare)
Fat embolism
6. Recovery Process
Tummy tuck: When you come out of the surgery, the operated area will be dressed surgically. You will be required to visit your surgeon occasionally to change the surgical dressing. By day one, moving around with the help of someone will be necessary to avoid blood clots. You will take prescribed antibiotics and painkillers during the healing process. It is wise to avoid any vigorous physical activities during the recovery process until your doctor gives you the green light. After two to three weeks, the patient can start taking light exercises. It will take up to nearly three months for the patient’s incisions to heal.
Liposuction: Liposuction recovery will be determined by the number of areas worked on. After the surgery, your doctor may advise wearing a pressure garment on your stomach. This will assist in preventing swelling and healing of your skin. After 48hours of the surgery, you can carry on with your daily activities except lifting heavy objects. Within two to three weeks, you can start carrying out little strenuous activities.
7. The Surgical Procedure Costs
Liposuction costs vary depending on the magnitude of the area to be worked on. A small operation can cost about $2,000, while operating various locations may be around $8,000. Liposuction is performed under local anesthesia, and the procedure lasts about an hour.
Tummy tuck operation has a higher expense since it is more complicated than liposuction and needs general anesthesia. Consider the surgical procedure used in tummy tucking, the price varies from $6,000 to $10,000.
Although the doctor will decide the final cost charged after surgery, according to various variables like specific needs of a patient and the surgical procedure used. So the best way to accurately know how much it will cost is consulting one on one with your doctor.
Liposuction and tummy tuck are both very brilliant surgical procedures to make your body look better. Nevertheless, it is crucial to select what particular issues you want to be corrected and decide which one is the best course of treatment for you.
