Did you know, right next to breast augmentation, liposuction is the second most popular cosmetic surgery? And it’s being picked up by younger generations every day, proving that it’s still of interest to many young men and women.
But how does lipo compare to a tummy tuck? And is there a point in considering one when another seems so popular? They both have specific requirements and it’s important to understand the distinction.
Keep reading to find out what exactly the distinction is in a tummy tuck vs lipo battle.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, otherwise known as an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that improves the shape of the stomach area (or abdomen). It may mean the removal of extra skin and fat and can help tighten the abdominal muscles.
The goal with a tummy tuck is to remove excess belly skin that won’t go away with exercise alone and results from pregnancy or weight loss.
What Is Lipo?
If you’re looking to get rid of small fat deposits, liposuction may be the right option for you. We usually find these fat deposits on the hips, buttocks, thighs, and stomach. The procedure itself involves using a tool to suck out fatty areas that are hard to get rid of through exercise and a healthy diet.
This technique reduces undesirable contours and bulges by removing fat from the target areas. Lipo isn’t recommended as a weight-loss method, however, and you shouldn’t get lip if you’re significantly overweight.
Tummy Tuck vs Lipo: Comparing the Two
When deciding between a lipo vs tummy tuck, there are several aspects we need to consider. Although both aim for a flatter and smoother stomach, the operations, outcomes, and recovery time differ significantly. Let’s see which will be the best fit for you.
Who They’re For
Besides removing extra fat around the stomach area, a tummy tuck also removes any extra skin. This is ideal if you’ve lost a lot of weight and your skin hasn’t bounced back. A tummy tuck may be the right option for you if:
- Your BMI is 30+
- You’re considering future pregnancy
- You’re actively aiming to lose weight
- You have chronic heart problems
Lipo is less invasive and is often a very popular choice. You may be a suitable candidate for lipo if you are:
- Within 30% of your ideal weight
- Have firm, elastic skin
- Do not have a medical condition that impairs healing
- A nonsmoker
- An individual with a positive body outlook
Whether you choose lipo or a tummy tuck, it’s something you should always do for yourself, and not to fulfill someone else’s desires. With that in mind, let’s dive into what it’s all about.
The Procedure
The procedure for a lipo isn’t usually as invasive as a tummy tuck, though it may need intravenous sedation. In other cases, your surgeon may numb your midsection.
They will begin by making small incisions around the site of your fat deposits before inserting a thin tube (a cannula) beneath the skin. Once inserted, the surgeon will suck out displaced fat deposits using a medical vacuum. It’s possible that you’ll need multiple sessions to get the results you want.
For a tummy tuck, your surgeon will use a general anesthetic to put you to sleep. Once you’re sedated, they’ll create an incision at the bottom of the skin that covers your abdominal wall, usually just above your pelvis.
Your surgeon will suture the muscles in your stomach if they have become stretched. They will then pull the skin over your tummy taut, remove excess skin, and close the incision with medical-grade stitches.
In terms of the length of these belly fat procedures, a tummy tuck is usually the fastest, but only because it is done in one sitting.
The Results
Both methods produce long-term outcomes, although they might be jeopardized by rapid weight increase or loss. They don’t get rid of all the fat cells and tissue, so the ones that are left can inflate and deflate depending on your diet and activity routine.
Liposuction results in a flatter stomach with less fat around the core, whereas a tummy tuck results in a firmer and more toned abdomen. A tummy tuck is ideal for you if you want to get rid of drooping skin and fat while also strengthening your abdominal wall. Liposuction is the way to go if you only want to get rid of fat and have a flatter stomach.
The Recovery
Liposuction takes roughly five to seven days to recuperate from, whereas a stomach tuck takes two to three weeks. You should take time off work and avoid hard exercise throughout this period. During the first few days, you may need to enlist the help of a friend or family member. Liposuction may be the best option for you if you want to recuperate quickly as lipo vs tummy tuck pain isn’t as severe.
In terms of scarring, it doesn’t matter how skilled your surgeon is, the procedure will leave a scar. Compared to a tummy tuck, the scars will be small and will probably disappear over time. The scar from a tummy tuck will be bigger.
That being said, they should place it strategically enough that underwear and bathing suits would hide it. If you don’t want a significant scar, liposuction may be the way to go; but, if the risk of sagging skin is worth it, a tummy tuck is the way to go.
The Budget
Because it is a medical procedure, and considered surgery, a tummy tuck is more expensive than lipo, often by more than half the price. Anesthesia and facility fees, medical testing, compression garments, medications, and surgeon fees are all extra costs with a tummy tuck.
To summarise, a tummy tuck is the way to go if you don’t mind a scar, are okay with the recovery time, and are at a point in your weight loss journey where sagging skin is a concern.
If your key priority lies in removing stubborn fat, then lipo is likely your best bet, though it needs more sessions, and it does nothing about excess skin. A board-certified plastic surgeon should be able to help you decide what is going to work best for you.
Live In Your Power
Your body is your own, and no one gets a say in how it looks or what it does except you. So if you’re considering the pros and cons of tummy tuck vs lipo procedures, then know you’re doing it for yourself.
Each comes with its own benefits, and it’s a decision only you and your doctor can make! So embrace and live in your power and do what makes you feel good.
If you enjoyed this, head on over to some of our other lifestyle and wellness articles.
Leave a Reply