The Difference Between Liposuction and Tummy Tuck

As summer approaches, people in the Dallas area are excited to do more things outside! When the weather becomes warmer, both men and women want to look their best. Two common body contouring treatments that might help people accomplish their body objectives are liposuction and tummy tucks. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Solomon Azouz offers various options to help get rid of stubborn tummy fat with meticulous liposuction and abdominoplasty techniques. Dr. Azouz can explain the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck to help determine which procedure is best for you.

Liposuction: Solution for Stubborn Fat

For both men and women who have had difficulty losing stubborn fat with diet and exercise alone, liposuction is a great choice. This body contouring technique is a flexible option for people who want to slim down because it targets and eliminates extra fat from different areas of the body. Typical regions for liposuction treatment include:

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical technique that removes persistent fat deposits that do not respond to diet or exercise. It suctions out fat cells from specific parts of the body using a cannula, or a thin tube. Dr. Azouz has customized his Azouz cannulas for liposuction for more precise removal of fat cells. Liposuction can be performed using a variety of techniques, including tumescent liposuction (to minimize bruising), ultrasound-assisted liposuction (which uses sound waves to liquefy fat), power-assisted liposuction (PAL liposuction uses a vibrating cannula to break down fat cells), and laser-assisted liposuction (uses laser energy to break down fat cells). Liposuction is also used as a treatment for lipedema to remove the painful knots or nodules from the legs, arms, abdomen, hips, and buttocks.

Remove Saggy Skin with a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is frequently desired by patients who may have weakening abdominal muscles and sagging skin following pregnancy or major weight loss. In contrast to liposuction, which solely targets fat, a belly tuck addresses several problems:

• Excess Fat: A tummy tuck can eliminate extra fat from the abdomen
• Loose Skin: Removing extra, sagging skin — something liposuction cannot accomplish on its own
• Muscle Tightening: In addition to tightening the abdominal muscles visible above, a tummy tuck also tones and firms the surrounding abdominal muscles.

A tummy tuck can greatly enhance the appearance of the abdominal contour and is especially helpful for people with loose skin that has become less elastic with age, pregnancy, or weight changes. An abdominoplasty is also used as part of lipedema treatment to remove excess skin from the abdomen.

Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction

Determining between a tummy tuck and liposuction depends on your physical exam and unique goals. It’s important to note that patients who suffer from isolated fat pockets, are within 10% of their optimum body weight, and have good skin elasticity are the best candidates for liposuction. Skin elasticity, which is supported by collagen and elastin proteins, enables your skin to pull back after stretching. Imagine it as your skin’s natural rubber band. However, as we age, sun exposure, smoking, and weight changes can damage these proteins, resulting in loose skin, which is the inability of the skin to retract after stretching. This is common after major weight loss or pregnancy when the skin has been stretched for a long time. While maintaining a healthy weight and preserving your skin from the sun will help preserve elasticity, some loose skin might require excess skin removal, such as an abdominoplasty.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Azouz

It’s important to discuss your goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon if you are thinking about having liposuction or a tummy tuck. Dr. Solomon Azouz at Azouz Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in Dallas will assess your particular situation, discuss your objectives, and suggest the best course of action. Dr. Azouz’s top goal is to assist you in becoming the best version of yourself. Call us at (972) 702-8888 or contact us online to schedule your consultation today!