In the quest for a flatter stomach, liposuction tummy tuck – and sometimes a combination – can often help you achieve the desired results that diet and exercise cannot. If you’re wondering what the differences are in the two procedures, here is a brief rundown of the details:
Liposuction – This is less-invasive than a tummy tuck, and is usually performed on those in good health, who are not significantly overweight and have good skin tone – but still have fatty deposits they can’t get rid of by the health regimen one normally follows to get in shape.
The procedure is usually done in a plastic surgeon’s surgery suite, or an outpatient clinic. For the stomach area, the patient is either given a local or general anesthetic, depending on the amount of fat to be removed and details of the procedure. Small incisions are made in the abdomen and cannulae inserted. The fat is then vacuumed out in a side to side motion. The incisions are sewn up and an elastic pressure bandage is worn by the patient for a period of time recommended by her doctor – this helps to decrease the bruising and swelling that occur from this procedure.
Although it takes a few months before the end results are clear, the patient may note a change in her tummy area as early as ten days after the procedure. As far as getting it covered by insurance goes, be warned that this type procedure is cosmetic in nature, so the patient is responsible for incurring all expenses.
Tummy tuck – If you’re a candidate for this surgery, it’s because you have cosmetic abdominal imperfections that liposuction can’t fix. Criteria you must meet includes being in general good health, as well as being mentally aware of what the procedure will – or will not do – as far as body expectations go. You must also have one or more of the following cosmetic problems, which include fat deposits that aren’t taken care of by regular exercise or liposuction, an excess of sagging and loose skin, or protruding and bulging abdominal muscles that have become separated from the abdominal wall.
Before the surgery begins, the patient is given a general anesthetic. Right below the pubic bone, the surgeon makes a cut that extends from the left side of the hip to the right. Once he gains access into the stomach region, he removes the excess fatty tissue, and repairs and tightens muscles that have become separated from the wall. The incisions are sewn up and bandages applied. When the patient is ready to go home from recovery, she leaves with the tubes the doctor inserted around the suture area that aid in the healing process by draining fluid off the wound. The estimated time it takes for a person to completely heal from this procedure can be several months or more.
Also, know that unless you have a rare medical condition that warrants a tummy tuck to prevent future problems, the entire cost of the surgery falls upon your shoulders.
Liposuction and tummy tuck combination – Sometimes someone will have the problem of a larger than usual amount of fatty tissue around the stomach, PLUS an excess of loose skin and bulging separated muscles. When this is the case, the doctor will recommend the person have a combination of the two procedures, in order to get optimal results for his troubles.
To clarify, unless otherwise ordered by the physician, it’s recommended the fat deposits be removed first by having liposuction, and after three or four months have passed, the abdominal surgery is performed done to tighten muscle and get rid of excess skin. This is the best way to avoid a very long healing period from having both done to the body at once.
Always talk to your doctor first when considering liposuction tummy tuck – or anything surgical, for that matter – to see if you’re even a candidate for it. And above all, be sure to learn everything you can about the benefits versus the risks of both surgeries – and of course, the costs you’ll be facing – before you start buying a new wardrobe. And although these surgeries have improved drastically since they were first introduced in the past – remember, you take a chance every time you go in for any type of invasive procedure – even if you’ve been told your odds are excellent that complications won’t develop.
Ready to learn additional information about a liposuction tummy tuck before you move forward with it? Get FREE tips & advice on tummy tuck surgery and all you need to know about liposuction by visiting www.JustLiposuction.com