Beauty Doc Blog

Many people don’t actually realize what the difference is between a tummy tuck and liposuction, much less between the two types of tummy tucks. The basic difference between the tummy tuck and liposuction is that the liposuction removes fat, and only fat. The tummy tuck removes both fat and skin, and also tightens skin. If a person has good skin tone and isolated fat collections, and are young enough that their skin will shrink back, then liposuction could be the way to go. Your plastic surgeon can tell you for sure. However, liposuction will not tighten saggy skin, it will only make the condition worse than it already is. If that is your situation, then you should consider a tummy tuck.

Full or Mini

The two types of abdominoplasty (most commonly referred to as a tummy tuck) available are mini tuck and full tuck. The mini tummy tuck will be performed when most of the excess fat that must be removed is located below the navel. This procedure can usually be completed on an outpatient basis. The complete or full tummy tuck becomes necessary when a candidate for the procedure has fat deposits located above the umbilicus, or navel, in addition to being located below it. This procedure will occasionally be performed on an outpatient basis, but is usually performed with an overnight stay at the hospital.

Those patients who seek a tummy tucks usually do so because they had a major loss of weight, or pregnancy, and have too much extra hanging loose skin as a result. Women who have undergone childbirth several times often have a hard time regaining the tautness of their abdominal walls, and find the tummy tuck to be a way to retain that tautness. Also common are those people who are proud of massive weight loss and want to tighten up the loose skin left over after a major dieting and exercise regimen.

Many people have had success with both the mini tummy tuck and the full tummy tuck. To find out if you are a good candidate for either of the tummy tuck procedures available, speak with your plastic surgeon who can provide detailed information that is relevant to your personal situation.