If you’d like a slimmer, sleeker tummy, liposuction and tummy tuck surgery can both help you achieve that goal. However, if you’re like most people, you’re probably not sure which procedure is the right one for you.

Liposuction vs tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): Which procedure is right for you?
Liposuction is designed to get rid of pockets of unwanted fat, so if you only have excess fat in the midsection, liposuction may be all you need to get a trimmer tummy. Liposuction is a shorter procedure than a tummy tuck, and requires less downtime.

Good candidates for liposuction should be near or at their ideal weight. They should also have good skin elasticity and muscle tone. This is important, because liposuction does not tighten the skin, so it works best on patients with firm, elastic skin.

While liposuction simply removes fat, a tummy tuck does more. A tummy tuck gets rid of excess skin and fat, and tightens the underlying abdominal muscles. Some women experience stretched or separated ab muscles due to pregnancy and childbirth, and this can only be fixed with a tummy tuck.

Odds are you will need a tummy tuck if you have sagging abdominal skin along with excess fat and stretched tummy muscles. A tummy tuck will get rid of the fat and skin, and tighten up the muscles (learn more).

However, in order to be sure which procedure is the right one for you, it’s advisable to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon that is experienced with both procedures. The surgeon will conduct an examination and make a recommendation regarding treatment.

Are you ready to trim that tummy? Search our directory to find a practice in our area.

If you are in the Newport Beach, CA area Tenley Lawton MD is our featured board certified plastic surgeon.

You can reach Dr. Lawton at www.lawtonmd.com, or by calling (949) 835-5061.