Liposuction or/and Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

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Some people have a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, to change their body shape or to remove fat from the stomach region.  This is quite drastic surgery and is more normal for people who have a specific problem with their abdomen.  A tummy tuck can also help to tighten the stomach muscles and produce a much more toned appearance.  Unlike liposuction, a tummy tuck is very invasive and requires a general anaesthetic to complete.  An incision is made between the hipbones and the naval is removed, then the fat removed and muscles sutured together to flatten the stomach.  The recovery can take up to three months and the surgery normally costs between £3000 and £6000.  Alike to liposuction the results depend upon your post-surgery lifestyle.  You can gain weight just as easily as before the surgery and will need to work hard to maintain your new shape.  The scars of a tummy tuck are lifelong, and quite large despite them being placed to be hidden under swimsuits and underwear.  Sometimes liposuction is used in conjunction with abdominoplasty so that a better shape can be achieved. 

Abdominoplasty is more suitable for people who have a lot of weight that they wish to have removed, and is often used post-pregnancy to tighten the stomach muscles.

Liposuction With Abdominoplasty

Liposuction is used routinely as a way of improving the results of an abdominoplasty, and can be performed at the same time or after you have your tummy tuck.  Normally the liposuction is applied to the sides of the abdominal area, reducing your width and giving you a smaller silhouette.  Whether or not your surgeon will do this depends on the amount of fat being removed and its distribution.  It might not be necessary to remove any additional fat cells during your tummy tuck, but your surgeon might think it is a good idea. 

The type of liposuction used when having it in conjunction with a tummy tuck doesn’t really matter.  All liposuctions will be able to produce good results, although if there is little fat to remove your surgeon might opt to use something more akin to a lipo-sculpture devise for improved accuracy.  This will mean you can achieve a better shaped stomach with improved definition. 

Problems with combining liposuction & tummy tuck

There are cases when combining liposuction an abdominoplasty is not a good idea.  The main problem is using liposuction on the upper, frontal abdominal area at the same time as having a tummy tuck.  Doing this at the same time as a tummy tuck can cause real problems with your circulatory system.  If you do want liposuction to this area then it might be possible after your tummy tuck has healed, but you will need to discuss this with your surgeon.  Another potential problem is that taking out too many fat cells can be potentially dangerous.  If you have a very large area of fat on your stomach that you want treating it might not be possible with either liposuction or with a tummy tuck. 

When & where liposuction is performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck

If you do opt to have liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck then it will be performed after the main surgery has occurred.  It is most common for you to have liposuction to the ‘flanks’ or sides rather than elsewhere, or to have fat removed from your hips.  This can make a real difference, as a tummy tuck can often make slightly wide hips appear even wider than they are. 

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