Do you have excess skin and stubborn fat in the abdominal region that you would like to get rid of? A tummy tuck and a body lift can both flatten the abdomen and tighten the underlying muscles, to provide an overall better figure. But which is the right one for you, and what is the difference between a tummy tuck and a body lift.
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that is designed to reduce excess skin and fat in the abdomen, and repair weak abdominal muscles. It is often requested by women that have undergone multiple pregnancies, as well as individuals that have lost a significant amount of weight. If there is a lot of excess fat in the abdomen then a tummy tuck may have to be done in combination with liposuction in order to adequately sculpt the abdomen.
How it’s done
A tummy tuck is performed as on outpatient procedure, and is normally done under general anesthesia. The incision for a standard tummy tuck is made just above the bikini area and extends from hip to hip. Another incision may also be made around the belly button.
During a tummy tuck the surgeon will remove the excess skin and fatty deposits, and tighten the stretched abdominal muscles. Abdominoplasty leaves the tummy smoother and tighter than before.
What is a body lift?
A body lift is a procedure that is designed to remove excess skin from the lower half of the body in order to improve the shape of the tummy, buttocks, thighs, and legs. It removes skin and fat from the entire torso to give the lower body a contoured appearance. A body lift is a popular choice for people that have undergone extensive weight loss, and are left with a lot of loose skin in the lower body parts.
Body lift surgery
A body lift is performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. The incision for the body lift is more extensive than the one required for a tummy tuck, as it extends around the entire circumference of the body. It therefore removes skin and fat from the entire torso. The width of the tissue removed depends on the amount of skin and fat that’s present.
Once the extra tissue is removed the surgeon will reposition and tighten the tissues, and then close the incisions.
A body lift takes about 3 hours to perform. Some results can be seen immediately after the operation, but it can take up to 2 years for the full results to show.
What’s the Difference Between a Tummy Tuck and a Body Lift?
A tummy tuck only gets rid of the excess skin and fat above and below the belly button, in order to flatten the tummy, but a body lift goes much further.
A body lift is beneficial for people that have a lot of loose, overhanging skin around their waist and lower body. Whilst a tummy tuck contours the abdomen, it does not treat the surrounding areas such as the buttocks and thighs, therefore a body lift would be more appropriate.
A tummy tuck will tone the abdomen, so it is most useful for treating loose skin concentrated in the abdominal area, whereas a body lift will flatten the abdomen, lift the buttocks, and contour the outer thighs.
Since a body lift is a more invasive procedure the recovery time ranges from 6-8 weeks, but recovery after a tummy tuck takes about 3-4 weeks.
Which procedure would be the right one for you
The decision to have a tummy tuck or a body lift will depend on your specific needs and aesthetic goals. However, in order to achieve the safest and best outcome, it’s important to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. The surgeon will carry out an evaluation based on the concerns you need addressed, and then determine which procedure would be the right one for you.
If you are in the Philadelphia, PA area, contact The Pennsylvania Centre for Plastic Surgery for more information.
Call (267) 463-4110 today to set up a consultation.