LIPOSUCTION OR ABDOMINOPLASTY

            If sit-ups are not giving you the taut tummy you desire.  If you've got a little too much

flab or excess skin in your abdomen that won't diminish with diet or exercise, you may want to

consider liposuction or an abdominoplasty, popularly referred to as a "tummy tuck."  Let me

explain the differences in the two.

            Liposuction is the removal of fat from the body using suction.  In traditional liposuction,

small, thin blunt-tipped tubes (cannulas) are inserted through tiny incisions in the skin.  Fat is

suctioned out through the cannulas as the doctor moves the cannula around under the skin to

target specific fat deposits.  With a tummy tuck, your abdomen will be cut from hipbone to

hipbone in this procedure.  The surgeon will manipulate and contour the skin, tissue and muscle

as needed.  This procedure can cause prominent, permanent scarring, unlike liposuction which

leaves little scarring that fades with time.

             There are two different types of liposuctions the first on is the tumescent liposuction

and the second one is the ultrasound-assisted (ultrasonic) liposuction and two different types of

abdominoplasty one is the complete abdominoplasty and the other the partial or mini-

abdominoplasty.  Let us compare the liposuction technique and the abdominoplasty operation. 

Tumescent liposuction is considered safest and the most effective liposuction technique, with

quick recovery time. Tumescent liposuction rarely requires general anesthesia which means that

you can be awake during the procedure. Compared to the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), you are

given general anesthesia which will put you to sleep during the operation.  Liposuction generally

does not tighten the skin over the treated area.  After fat has been removed, the skin around the

area may be somewhat loose.  It may take up to 6 months for the skin to tighten (retract) around

the treated area.  With this surgery, you will see an improvement in body contour usually right

after surgery.  With a tummy tuck the skin is already tight at the treated area.  The patient will

have to severely limit strenuous exercise for at least six weeks, even if you are an exceptionally

physically active person.

            The side effects involved with these two procedures are also very different.  With

liposuction the side effects include temporary swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness in and

around the treated areas.  Irritation and minor scarring around the incision sites where the

cannulas were inserted, and baggy or rippling skin.  As with the tummy tuck, you also have pain

and swelling in the days following surgery.  You may also experience numbness, bruising and

overall  tiredness for that same time period, but you are restricted to movement.  Everything the

patient needs should be within arms reach.  The major difference between these two operations

is that the tummy tuck cuts away the skin, the fat and stretches the remaining skin over the

opening of the wound and sutures the opening closed.   On the other hand with liposuction the fat

is being sucked out with a tube and the skin is left intact and no sutures are needed.

            The results of liposuction and the tummy tuck can be long-lasting if you exercise

regularly, eat a balanced diet, and maintain a healthy weight after the procedures.  I am not

saying the one is better than the other.  Each procedure is unique to each patient.