Tummy Tuck or Liposuction—Which Is Right for Me?

August 7, 2019

Aging, pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, stress, and weight changes can significantly alter the appearance of your midsection. Oftentimes, these changes are difficult to reverse, even with strict diet changes and additional exercise. If your weight loss efforts and attempts to strengthen your abdominal muscles have yielded unsatisfactory improvements in the appearance of your waistline, board-certified plastic surgeon Joseph DiBello, MD, FACS may be able to help. Tummy tuck and liposuction are two plastic surgery techniques that can be suitable for helping you achieve your body sculpting goals. The approach that is right for your needs will depend on a variety of factors that Dr. DiBello will evaluate during your consultation:

• Do you have areas of excess, inelastic skin?
• Are your abdominal muscles stretched or torn?
• Have you developed areas of stubborn superficial fat?
• Are you at a stable weight?
• Are you considering future pregnancies?

If your cosmetic concerns are caused primarily by the presence of abdominal fat deposits and you have adequate skin elasticity, liposuction may provide an effective method for smoothing and sculpting your midsection. Liposuction requires only tiny incisions, through which fat is liquified and suctioned from the body via a specialized cannula. During the healing process, the skin ideally readjusts to fit over the leaner abdomen for a more slender appearance. When excess skin and/or stretched abdominal muscles are identified, tummy tuck surgery (and potentially a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction) is more likely to be indicated. Tummy tuck is a more intensive surgical procedure that focuses on removing excess stretched skin, repairing/tightening abdominal muscles, removing/sculpting overabundant fat deposits (via excision and/or liposuction), and smoothing the skin over the revised abdominal framework. Dr. DiBello also offers the less invasive mini-tummy tuck procedure for patients who do not necessarily need a full abdominoplasty to achieve their goals. Optimal tummy tuck outcomes typically feature a smaller waistline, smoother abdominal contours, and a flatter, tighter tummy.

If you are considering plastic surgery to improve the appearance of your midsection, we welcome you to contact our practice to schedule a consultation with Dr. DiBello. He can use his experience and expertise to determine which procedure may be right for you.