Abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck surgery, is a popular plastic surgery procedure for patients who desire an improved and tightened abdomen. It is commonly performed on patients who have loose, excess skin due to weight loss or pregnancy. Tummy tuck surgery is often performed in conjunction with liposuction, a procedure used to remove excess fat from the body. As a leading plastic surgeon, Dr. Gregory Dumanian has helped hundreds of patients obtain a slimmer and sleeker physique with both procedures. A common question that comes up during his consultations with patients is, “Will liposuction be used during my tummy tuck surgery?” Dr. Dumanian discusses the answer in this blog post.
What Tummy Tuck Surgery Achieves
Dr. Dumanian performs tummy tuck to address the following issues:
- Excess, loose skin that no longer contracts well over the body after substantial weight loss.
- Rectus diastasis, a condition in which the abdominal muscles have both widened and separated from each other. This is common among women following pregnancy, and heavier men starting in their late 40’s/early 50’s.
- Stretch marks. Although tummy tuck surgery does not correct stretch marks, it can improve their appearance or remove them if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised.
Abdominoplasty results in a long low scar, and is not for everyone. Patients who wish to remove targeted small deposits of fat and who want to avoid a long scar may be candidates for liposuction. Liposuction involves making small incisions on the targeted areas and then inserting a small cannula into the areas and breaking up the fat cells. The fat cells are then suctioned out of the body. In addition to the abdomen and flanks (the sides of the torso), liposuction can be used to remove targeted fat deposits in the hips, buttocks and thighs. The result is a smoother and slimmer figure.
Could You Benefit from a Combination Procedure?
In many cases, combining liposuction and tummy tuck surgery can help achieve a more proportional and beautiful abdomen and upper body area. During a combination procedure, Dr. Dumanian will excise any loose skin and perform liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits in the upper abdomen and flanks to achieve a more beautiful and natural-looking torso shape.
A combination procedure is not always recommended. If you do not have a substantial amount of fat, Dr. Dumanian may determine that a tummy tuck surgery alone can achieve your desired results. Candidacy for a combination procedure is determined on a case-by-case basis. During your initial consultation, Dr. Dumanian will examine your anatomy and discuss your aesthetic concerns and goals with you. Using this information, he will make his recommendations on the best treatment option for you.
To learn more about liposuction and abdominoplasty, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Dumanian. Please call (312) 695-6022 today.