Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction

The two main types of procedures performed for body contouring are tummy tucks (aka abdominoplasties) and liposuction.

Many patients that I see are often interested in body contouring but are not sure which procedures might be right for them. The two main types of procedures performed for body contouring are tummy tucks (aka abdominoplasties) and liposuction. Both of these procedures can result in significant improvements in overall body contour but there are some differences between them.

For the most part, tummy tucks deal primarily with loose excess abdominal skin. In addition, tummy tucks often address abdominal muscular laxity. For patients who have had several pregnancies or lost substantial amounts of weight, there is often excess abdominal skin that cannot be removed by diet and exercise alone. In these cases, a tummy tuck can remove any excess loose abdominal skin, tighten abdominal muscles if needed, and give the abdomen a flatter, tighter, smoother appearance.

Liposuction, on the other hand, mainly addresses stubborn deposits of excess body fat. These deposits can be almost anywhere on the body (eg, abdomen, arms, thighs, back, hips, etc.) and are resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction is extremely versatile and can greatly improve overall body contour. While both the tummy tuck and liposuction procedure are excellent procedures by themselves, I will often combine these two techniques to give patients the best overall result.

An exciting new development in my practice has been the introduction of the BodyTite Radiofrequency liposuction system. By combining liposuction with radiofrequency skin tightening, I am able to treat many patients who have excess loose abdominal skin with the BodyTite system without having to perform a tummy tuck. This results in smaller scars, less pain, and a shorter recovery for our patients.

If you would like to learn more about body contouring or any of the procedures that I have talked about, please call us at (302) 656-0214 and we would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have or schedule you for a consultation.