Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: Which Is Right for Me?
Are areas of excess fat, loose skin, and/or muscular laxity affecting the appearance of your abdominal contours? If you are considering plastic surgery to smooth and tighten your midsection, procedures such as liposuction or tummy tuck surgery (or a combination of the two) could potentially achieve your desired outcome. The most suitable procedure for your needs and goals depends on a variety of factors that our board-certified plastic surgeon Mark Pinsky, MD will evaluate during your consultation. If you are in good overall health, still have good skin elasticity in the region, and display areas of localized fat deposits around your abdomen, flanks, and/or lower back, liposuction—which is the least invasive of the two options—can effectively remove and sculpt excess fat for a leaner, more proportionate waistline.
When weight fluctuations, pregnancies, and/or aging create the appearance of loose, stretched skin along with unwanted fat around the midsection, the removal of fat via liposuction is not able to improve the appearance of skin laxity. In these cases, Dr. Pinsky often recommends the tummy tuck procedure, which excises (removes) excess skin and fat to achieve smoothed, tightened abdominal contours. A tummy tuck can also include repair of abdominal muscles that have been stretched or torn during pregnancy. To help refine the quality of results, Dr. Pinsky may incorporate liposuction techniques during the tummy tuck process to sculpt fatty areas for leaner, more symmetrical contours.
If you would like to find out which procedure can help you achieve your goals, we welcome you to contact our practice and schedule a consultation with Dr. Pinsky. Based on your anatomical appearance, health status, concerns, and priorities, he can design a customized surgical plan suited especially for your needs. At Pinsky Plastic Surgery we also offer non-surgical, non-invasive fat reduction with CoolSculpting® for body contouring patients who are not good candidates for surgery.