Having excess fat may be giving you grief. If your diet and exercise efforts have failed to eliminate the extra cushion layers of fat on your body, you will be relieved to know that there are other options available to you. Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery are both viable choices that can improve the contour of your body.
Liposuction
With liposuction, excess fat is aspirated, or suctioned out, through a cannula. Recent technological developments have led to the formation of new liposuction techniques such as VASERlipo® and Smartlipo™. VASERlipo® uses ultrasound technology to break up the fat, which can then be preserved and reinjected into the breast, buttocks, or face. Smartlipo™ uses laser energy to liquefy fat and tighten the skin. Traditional liposuction does not tighten the skin and has a longer recovery period than VASERlipo® and Smartlipo™.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that improves the contour of the abdomen. This procedure includes tightening the stomach muscles and removing excess skin and fat. Options include the full tummy tuck or the mini tummy tuck, and both can dramatically enhance the contour of your waist.
Which Do I Need?
Your goals and your health history are the most important factors in determining whether you should undergo liposuction or tummy tuck surgery. Consider the following:
Pregnancy: If you have been pregnant, you may have weak stomach muscles and excess abdominal skin. If so, you may need to undergo a tummy tuck, as liposuction cannot tighten the stomach muscles or skin. However, if you also have excess fat on your flanks or hips, you can undergo both a tummy tuck and liposuction for an even more transformative experience.
Major Weight Loss: If you have lost more than 20 percent of your body weight, you will need to undergo tummy tuck surgery to remove your excess skin. You can also combine a tummy tuck with other procedures to improve your overall body contour.
Excess Abdominal Fat but No Loose Skin: If you have a slight lower belly pooch but no loose skin, VASERlipo®, Smartlipo™, or liposuction can help to flatten and contour your lower belly.
Multiple Trouble Areas: If you are plagued by multiple trouble areas, liposuction procedures can target each area individually to eliminate fat deposits and improve the contour of your body.
Excess Fat in Places Other Than Your Abdomen: Tummy tuck surgery targets the abdomen only. If you have excess fat in other areas, consider liposuction, VASERlipo®, or Smartlipo™.
Too Much Here and Too Little There: For individuals with too much fat in some areas and not enough in others, VASERlipo® can transfer the fat from one area to the other for more complete body contouring.
Stretch Marks: Tummy tuck surgery can eliminate most stretch marks and soften the look of the remaining stretch marks.
Slight Skin Sagging and Excess Fat: If you have trouble areas with excess fat and slight skin sagging, Smartlipo™ can eliminate the fat and tighten the skin.
It is best to consider less-invasive body contouring procedures before surgery. However, depending on your case, a tummy tuck may be the best way to achieve your desired results, especially if you have loose abdominal skin. In many cases, both procedures work well to produce complementary results. Dr. Martin will help you decide what will give you the best body contouring experience and results.
To learn more about body contouring, schedule your personal consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Martin. He will determine which procedure(s) will be best for you. Please call (303) 589-9420 or fill out our online contact form to book your appointment today. We look forward to helping you transform your body!