Abdominoplasty, also called a tummy tuck, and liposuction are two of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. Although they have some similarities, there are several key differences between a tummy tuck and liposuction that could sway your plastic surgeon’s decision to go with one or the other (or both!)
Take a look at how these 3 factors differ with a tummy tuck vs. liposuction to help you decide which could make the most sense for your cosmetic goals and your budget.
1. Your Goals
What you want to achieve through plastic surgery will be the biggest determining factor for whether a tummy tuck or liposuction alone could be best for you.
A tummy tuck could be right for you if you are looking to remove and tighten excess skin and/or repair separated abdominal muscles. In most cases, our surgeons will include liposuction during the tummy tuck surgery, so this procedure can remove stubborn fat in the abdominal area as well.
Liposuction on its own could be right for you if loose skin is not a concern and you are simply looking to reduce subcutaneous (pinchable) fat in your abdomen.
2. Recovery Time
A tummy tuck and liposuction are both surgical procedures and therefore both require some downtime afterwards. Tummy tucks will require a slightly longer recovery period than liposuction on its own.
Expect to take around 2 weeks off work after abdominoplasty, compared to about 1 week after liposuction. Your surgeon can give you more details regarding exactly what to expect during recovery, and a more accurate time estimate, during your consultation.
3. Cost
The cost of a tummy tuck is higher than that of liposuction alone because the procedure is more complex to perform. However, if you think you might want a tummy tuck down the road, it will ultimately be more cost effective to opt for a tummy tuck with liposuction now rather than split them out into separate procedures.
Still having trouble understanding if a tummy tuck or liposuction is best for achieving the look you want? Call our Folsom office at 916-983-9895 or contact us online to set up a consultation with one of our experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
