Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction
Tummy tuck, clinically known as abdominoplasty, is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to help a patient achieve flatter, tighter, and firmer tummy. The procedure may also involve the repositioning of the navel to a more appropriate position. Liposuction, on the other hand, is a more targeted procedure that is specifically aimed at reducing excess fat deposits from certain areas of the body, including the abdominal area.
Dr. Paul McCluskey is an experienced plastic surgeon providing both tummy tuck and liposuction procedures to patients as per their needs. During the initial consultation, Dr. McCluskey will discuss various treatment options, and inform their pros and cons in order to help the patient make an informed decision. He receives patients from Atlanta and surrounding areas.
Which procedure is the right one for you?
Both tummy tuck and liposuction have their own suitability, and the cosmetic surgeon is in the best position to decide the more appropriate procedure for a particular patient. Patients with excess fat tissue in lower as well as upper abdominal areas along with sagging skin and weak or separated underlying muscles may be more suited for tummy tuck.
On the other hand, the plastic surgeon may recommend liposuction if the tummy skin is still fairly tight and muscles are intact, but only excess fat deposits in the lower abdomen are a concern. Patients in Atlanta and surrounding communities have an opportunity to receive these procedures from Dr. McCluskey.
Which procedure is more widely performed?
Liposuction surgery is typically a faster surgical procedure as compared to tummy tuck, particularly when it is focused only on fat reduction in the tummy area. This makes liposuction relatively less costly. At the same time, scarring in liposuction will be less conspicuous. These factors may make liposuction a more widely popular and accepted procedure as compared to tummy tuck.
Recovery Process
Recovery in case of liposuction is relatively faster and less painful as compared to tummy tuck. In many cases where a small problem area is being teated, liposuction may not even involve general anesthesia. Tummy tuck, on the other hand, may require general anesthesia, and about two weeks off from the workplace for proper recovery.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Candidates who will require tummy tuck surgery will typically be men or women above the age of 40. At this age, excess fat accumulation in the abdominal area may be accompanied by skin laxity and weaker underlying muscles. Women who have gone through multiple pregnancies may also require tummy tuck instead of liposuction. Liposuction is usually recommended in cases where patient has a moderate and stable body weight with relatively elastic skin, but has excess fat pockets without sagging excess skin.
Combining the Two Surgeries
Tummy tuck will usually be performed in combination with some amount of liposuction in the sides and buttocks in order to produce more harmonious outcomes. However, on the converse side, liposuction may not necessarily be combined with tummy tuck. Liposuction can be performed as a standalone surgery to achieve precise and targeted fat reduction results in specific areas of the tummy.
For more information on treatments and procedures offered offered by Atlanta Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey visit: