Liposuction and Abdominoplasty

What is the difference between liposuction and abdominoplasty?

Liposuction and abdominoplasty (or, a tummy tuck) are cosmetic procedures. The procedures have different purposes:

  • Liposuction permanently removes fat cells and gets rid of unwanted fat deposits
  • Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and tightens abdominal muscles

Some fat is removed with an abdominoplasty. The procedure is often undergone if your skin is stretched out after a pregnancy. You may also have the surgery if you lost a significant amount of weight and have excess skin.

How common is liposuction?

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Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. Over 200,000 liposuction procedures occur annually in the United States. It represents between 15 to 20% of all plastic surgeries around the world.

What are the types of liposuction surgery?

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Liposuction procedures are selected based on your treatment goals. Options include:

  • Tumescent liposuction: The most common liposuction procedure where a surgeon injects a saline (salt water) solution into the fatty areas.
  • Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL): Ultrasonic energy is used with a metal rod placed underneath your skin.
  • Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance (VASER): Uses a stainless steel tool (cannula) with grooves and ultrasound waves to break up and remove the fat cells and fat from your body.
  • Suction-assisted liposuction: A traditional procedure that uses a vacuum to remove fat from your body.
  • Power-assisted liposuction (PAL): Uses a small, stainless steel tool (cannula) that breaks up the fat and improves precision.
  • Laser-assisted liposuction (Smartlipo™ and SlimLipo™): Uses strong laser lights on a small, flexible tube (fiber) to break down and liquefy your fat with only a small incision.

Speak with your healthcare provider about the type of liposuction that is best for your goals and takes your medical history into consideration.

Why is liposuction done?

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Liposuction is done to remove fat from the areas of your body that do not respond to diet and exercise. These areas can include:

  • Abdomen
  • Upper arms
  • Buttocks
  • Calves and ankles
  • Chest and back
  • Hips and thighs
  • Chin and neck

 

Some men undergo liposuction to reduce extra breast tissue if they have a condition known as gynecomastia. After a procedure, the skin molds itself to the shape of the treated area(s). The smoothness of your skin will depend on your skin tone and elasticity.

 

Keep in mind:

  • Liposuction does not get rid of cellulite or other surface differences
  • Liposuction does not remove stretch marks

Who is a candidate for liposuction?

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Qualifying candidates for liposuction are those who:

 

  • Have good overall health

 

  • Are non-smokers

 

  • Have pockets of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise

 

  • Are adults with an average or slightly above-average weight

 

  • Have firm skin with elasticity and a good muscle tone

 

  • Have realistic (and healthy) goals

 

Speaking with your healthcare provider will allow them to determine if liposuction is right for you. A qualified provider can also identify if you should not undergo the procedure. Liposuction is not advised for people with:

  • Blood flow problems
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Diabetes
  • A weak immune system
  • A BMI over 25
  • Unrealistic expectations for the procedure
  • Poor skin quality

You may also not be a candidate for liposuction if you are underweight. Any of these conditions can make surgery more difficult to perform and unsafe for you as a patient.

What are the benefits of liposuction?

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People who undergo liposuction not only have stubborn areas of fat removed from their body. The procedure can give you a smoother body shape and reduce significant scarring.

What are the risks of liposuction?

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Any surgery, including liposuction, comes with certain general risks like bleeding and a reaction to anesthesia. Complications associated with liposuction include:

  • Bumpy, wavy, or withered skin due to uneven fat removal, poor skin elasticity, or scarring (may be permanent)
  • Temporary pockets of fluid (seromas)
  • Infection (rare but potentially life-threatening)
  • Numbness and/or nerve irritation (temporary or permanent)
  • Fat embolism (potentially life-threatening)
  • Internal puncture from a thin surgical tube (rare)
  • Kidney, heart, and/or lung problems (due to fluid shifts)
  • Lidocaine toxicity (rare)

There are greater risks when a surgeon works on a larger body surface or does more than one procedure at a time. Speak to your doctor beforehand about what you can expect going into a procedure and the recovery process.

What is the liposuction recovery process?

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Each person’s recovery time for liposuction depends on a few factors:

  • How much fat was removed
  • The area where the fat was removed

The average recovery time for liposuction is six months. People who had outpatient procedures can potentially return to work in a few days. You will feel more like yourself after two weeks, but your doctor will likely advise you to rest and reduce your activities for the first six weeks as your body heals.

It may take three to six months for the swelling to decrease so that you can see true liposuction results. Speak with your doctor about how you should take care of your scars as they heal.

How common is an abdominoplasty?

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In 2022, plastic surgeons performed more than 160,000 abdominoplasty procedures in the United States.

What are the types of abdominoplasty?

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Your surgeon may recommend different abdominoplasty options based on which one they believe will help you reach your desired goals. These include:

  • Complete abdominoplasty: A cut is made in your lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. The length of the incision depends on the amount of extra skin that exists.
  • Partial abdominoplasty: A mini tummy tuck usually requires a shorter incision between your belly button and lower abdomen. It is preferred if you have less excess skin.
  • Circumferential abdominoplasty: An extended tummy tuck includes the front (abdomen) and back area (love handles and hips). It involves a longer incision.
  • Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck: An incision is made up-and-down and side-to-side in your abdominal region. The procedure is for people who have lost a significant amount of weight (generally 100 pounds or more).

It is worthwhile to ask your surgeon questions about why they think a specific abdominoplasty procedure is the right one for you.

Why is an abdominoplasty done?

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If you decide to get an abdominoplasty, it may be because you have experienced:

  • Pregnancy
  • Significant weight changes
  • Abdominal surgery (like a C-section)
  • Aging
  • Displeasure with your natural body type

These can all be valid reasons for the procedure, but you should speak first with a doctor to make sure that you are a good candidate.

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