Over the past decade, both tummy tuck surgery and liposuction have become increasingly popular as patients realize how effective these procedures can be at creating the toned, slim look they are aiming for. In fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks are the first and fourth most popular plastic surgeries, respectively. Yet, according to our knowledgeable and respected surgeons at Beverly Hills Physicians, there are several factors that patients need to consider when they are deciding if either or both of these procedures are right for them. Here is a brief explanation about which procedure works best for different patients.

• Tummy Tucks – A tummy tuck procedure is mainly done to address mid-section sagging often associated with deposits of excess belly fat that appear to be resistant to exercise and diet. Yet, many tummy tuck patients are those who have already lost this belly fat, but simply need to fix their excess loose skin. Specifically, people who were formerly obese but who went through a period of rapid weight loss are often left with a large amount of sagging, loose skin that will not simply go away on its own. This is especially common with bariatric surgery patients who often lose weight at a highly accelerated weight. A tummy tuck procedure, in this case, often does not need to be accompanied by liposuction because the fat has already been removed from the area naturally. Also, many women who have recently had a baby opt for tummy tuck procedures because they can combat some of the loose skin that forms as a result of a rapidly contracting belly.
• Liposuction –Of course, in many cases, sagging loose skin is accompanied by leftover fat deposits that need to be addressed with liposuction. Additionally, many patients elect liposuction on other areas of their body, like their love handles, that hold stubborn deposits of fat that are difficult to exercise or diet away. While a tummy tuck is generally a major procedure that requires several weeks to recover, liposuction of a small pocket of fat is a more minor procedure that requires less recovery time.

Depending on each patient’s goals and current situation, they may be more suited to one of these procedures more than another, but it takes a consultation with a doctor to know for sure. Regardless of what they may choose, when patients trust their procedure to our talented surgeons, they can be assured that they have the best chance of achieving their desired look with the least amount of recovery time possible.