Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: What’s the Difference?

From following those trendy nutrition plans to picking up daily exercises, you’ve done it all. Getting a gym membership, availing the services of a personal trainer, getting a treadmill installed at your home; you name it, you’ve done it. 

However, that stubborn layer of fat on your belly just won’t go. 

But, that dream of a flatter belly still evades you. It only makes sense that you’ve now decided to go for cosmetic surgery to ensure that you attain your dream. Two of the most commonly used procedures to get rid of that belly fat are liposuction and abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck.A report from Global Market Insights valued the body fat reduction market size at $10.2 billion in the year 2023, and is expected to register a 9.3% CAGR growth between 2024 and 2032.

What to choose, though?

Are there any differences?

At Hera Hebe, let us help you out sort out everything.

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck Difference

When we talk about lipo and tummy tuck, there are some obvious differences between the two procedures. While both are aimed at changing the appearance of your stomach, liposuction is an ideal surgical process to remove small fat deposits from targeted areas, whereas tummy tuck removes the extra fat from the abdomen.

What is a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

Frequent weight changes or pregnancy can lead to the stretching of skin around the stomach region. With the tummy tuck procedure, you can restore the look of your midsection to its flat and contoured version. 

Tummy tuck usually involves bringing your sit up muscles together if they were stretched or separated. 

Ideal situations for you to reconsider a tummy tuck:

• You’ve a BMI of more than 30
• You’re trying your best to lost some weight
• You’re looking to get pregnant in the near future
• You’ve got a heart condition

What is a Liposuction Procedure?

As far as small fat deposits go, around the regions of yout thighs, buttocks, hips, or stomach, liposuction is the process to go for. It takes those targeted areas into account, reducing any bulging out there while improving the overall contour in the process. 

It’s important to note that this is not a weight loss procedure, and you should not choose to go for it if it’s obesity you’re looking to get rid of. 

How are they Implemented?

Let’s now understand how both the surgical processes are implemented:

Tummy Tuck

In tummy tuck or belly fat reduction operation, the surgeon puts you to sleep by administering general anasthesia. Once you’re sedated, an incision is then made into the bottom of the skin covering the wall of your abdomen. 

Once the muscles are opened up, your surgeon sews your muscles in the abdomen’s wall if they’ve stretched out. The skin over your abdomen is then pulled tightly, removing the extra skin, and get done with the incision. 

Liposuction

When it comes to liposuction, you can either be sedated intravenously or a local anesthetic can be applied by your surgeon.

When the concerned area gets numb, the surgeon makes small incisions around the areas with fat deposits. They will then move a cannula under your skin to make the fat cells loosen up. The surgeon then uses a medical vaccum and suction the disloged deposits with ease. 

Results from These Procedures

When we talk about the results from a tummy tuck procedure, they are considered to be permanent. Your abdominal wall becomes more strong and durable. Until your weight doesn’t undergo significant fluctuations or you get pregnant (in the case of women), the skin won’t be stretching out any time soon. 

In the case of liposuction, you’ll see a flatter and better proportioned middle area once recovery from the process is complete. However, if you start gaining weight again, these fat deposits can reappear once again, though not necessarily on areas where the procedure was once done. 

Potential Complications

Any surgery you choose to go ahead with, there are chances of side effects, and these two procedures are not so different in that case. 

Here are a few potential effects that you should be aware of before making the final move:

Liposuction

• Irregularities: The removed fat sometimes creates jagged or wavy impressions on the topmost layer of the skin. You might not find your skin as smooth as it was. 
• Numb Area: The affected area can bring with it a feeling of numbness after the process. While it is temporary, it poses the risk of becoming permanent. 
• Stagnant Fluids: Temporary pockets of fluid can form under the skin, and your surgeon might have to remove them.

Tummy Tuck

• Accumulation of Fluid: Similar to lipo, these fluid packets can form even after tummy tuck, and your surgeon will have to drain them out.
• Sensation Change: Because the tissues of your abdomen are repositioned, they might affect the nerves in that area, resulting in changed sensation or numbness. 
• Tissue Damage: In a few tummy tuck cases, the fat tissues in the abdominal region can get damaged. This needs to be then removed by the surgeon. 

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck: The Recovery

The recovery after a tummy tuck surgery is quick. After the surgery is done, you’ll need to wear a compression garment to help you in reducing the swelling and shaping the body. While you can experience mild discomfort from time to time, it can be managed with medicines. 

You might be advised by your surgeon to avoid heavy exercise for about 2 weeks from the date of your surgery.

Tummy tuck is a more intensive procedure when compared to lipo, which is why the recovery time is longer. A compression garment, proper rest, and light walking to boost blood circulation are a few activities prescribed by the surgeon, but the complete recovery can still take months. 

Request a Consultation with Hera and Hebe Experts

You can be confronted with a situation where it might get confusing about the surgical procedure you should choose. If that’s the case, you can consult the professionals at Hera and Hebe, where our expertise of science is blended with our constant endeavour to solve problems to make everyday lives simpler and full of vigour. 

Connect with them today and get the clarity you’re looking for.