Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction?

Choosing the best surgical procedure to achieve your body goals can be confusing. There are lots of different varieties of procedures out there that all seem like they do the same thing but often when you research further you will realise that some procedures would be more suited than others.

A common misconception that we have is that tummy tucks are the same, or at least have the same effect as liposuction which is not always the case.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck or an abdominoplasty as it is often referred to, is a surgical procedure aimed at removing areas of sagging skin caused as a result of pregnancy or weight loss. During pregnancy, your skin stretches and you may find it doesn’t bounce back to its original state, this may also mean that your stomach muscles have split which a tummy tuck will fix. The abdominoplasty procedure removes loose skin and fatty tissue from your abdomen and can correct the splitting of any stomach muscles resulting in a smoother and more taut appearance.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a procedure which removes excess fat from not only your tummy but it can be applied to your arms, flanks, thighs, legs and even your neck in the same way. The fatty deposits are removed from under your skin and above the stomach muscles using suction. It is only suitable for small amounts of fat to be taken out in one session so it is perfect for those stubborn areas that no amount of exercise has been able to remove. At The Private Clinic, we also offer a variety of different forms of liposuction including Vaser Lipo, Micro Lipo and Vaser Hi-Def.

Pre Surgery Considerations

Other factors that may help you decide on the best option are the risks and side effects associated with both procedures.

A tummy tuck is a big surgical procedure with many incisions extending across the lower abdomen. Generally, the scar is positioned to be low on the waistline making it almost invisible when wearing clothes or swimsuits. When you have a tummy tuck it is also common for your belly button to be moved to a new location as excess skin is removed.

Liposuction is not as invasive and the incision sites are very small. Common side effects of liposuction include swelling, and bruising which may remain for several weeks.

Downtime

Once you return home we recommend that you have a support system in place as you will be sore and movements such as lifting are not recommended. Depending on your occupation you should allow between 2 – 3 weeks before returning to work. Although we encourage you to lead a healthy, active lifestyle after surgery we do not recommend returning to intense sporting activities until at least 6 weeks after surgery. The recovery time overall does vary between each individual, if you have had your muscles repaired during the operation it can add a significant amount of time to your recovery period.

Usually, people who have liposuction can return to work after a couple of days although exercise is not recommended for at least 4 weeks. In both cases, you are looking at around a month until you are feeling yourself again and starting to see results.

It is very important that you choose the right surgery for you and we encourage you to attend a consultation to discuss your treatment with either our team of patient co-ordinators or the surgeon directly who will be able to give you a lot more information about both procedures and guide you into knowing which will be the best choice for your realistic outcomes and goals.

The Private Clinic

With thousands of procedures performed to date and an extremely high success rate, The Private Clinic is one of the UK’s leading medical clinics renowned for fat removal and body contouring, using the most advanced and effective techniques available.

We have some of the leading plastic surgeons and liposuction doctors to offer their knowledge and advanced experience to ensure you get the best results from surgery.

Tummy tuck and liposuction consultations are available in London Harley Street, Birmingham, and Northampton.

To find out more about tummy tuck or liposuction procedures at The Private Clinic, please contact 0333 920 2471 or you can use our online contact form to request a call back.