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(703) 596-1660
• Massive weight loss?
• Excess skin?
• Loose abdominal muscles?
• Stubborn fat?
TUMMY TUCK OR LIPOSUCTION?
There is often confusion between tummy tuck and liposuction.
That's why we prepared this 'must-know' information.
Many of our patients that are interested in improving the appearance of their abdominal area. There are two procedures that can help with that: tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and liposuction. Both procedures can drastically help clients improve the look of their stomach by creating a tone and tight midsection. However, liposuction and tummy tuck procedures address different issues and work differently and provide different results.
LIPOSUCTION
Benefits
Liposuction is a popular procedure to surgically remove the unwanted, excess fatty tissue and improve the contour of certain areas of the body. It can be performed on the abdomen, flanks, back, thighs, arms or neck. Liposuction is less invasive than a tummy tuck, it involves less scarring, and shorter recovery time.
Overview
Liposuction is designed to reduce fat under the skin. However it's not a weight loss procedure.
Before the procedure begins, patients are given an
anesthesia. Depending on how much fat is being removed and the type of liposuction, the anesthesia may be a local, or it may require a general anesthetic, in which case the surgery will be done while you are asleep.
First, the area is prepared by injection of tumescent solution, for pain control and hemostasis (prevent bleeding). Afterwards a liposuction cannula is used to remove fatty tissue. It is inserted through small incisions (cuts) to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula. This results in smoother, improved body contour (shape). The length of the procedure will vary with the amount of fat being removed.
Patients are asking us if liposuction involves scaring. Small incisions are made to provide access points to remove the fat. These access points are generally less than a centimeter in length. You will have dissolvable sutures. We give our patients a scar cream to minimize scarring. The access point will be barely visible in time. In this sense, liposuction patients do not have scars like traditional surgery.
Candidates
Liposuction is the right solution for people who generally have good skin and muscle tone. These are individuals who do not have issues like excess skin in the midsection or loose abdominal muscles. Liposuction will not eliminate extra skin, stretch marks, and issues stemming from loose abdominal muscles. An ideal candidate is within 30% of their ideal body weight.
Recovery
Patients may shower the day after surgery. Liposuction sometimes requires only 3-4 days of down time. However, patients are advised to take it easy and let their bodies tell them when they can return to strenuous exercise.
You may have to wear a compression garment for the first 4 weeks following the procedure. It's important that the treated areas are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion during the time of healing.
Full results will be seen in approximately three months. Your improved body contour will be apparent once the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside.
TUMMY TUCK
Benefits
A tummy tuck works by removing stretched skin and by tightening the space between the rectus muscles. In short, a tummy tuck is the best solution if the main issue experienced by the patient is loose skin or stretched muscles (not fat). Tummy Tuck addresses issues that can be associated with post pregnancy body (most often) or massive weight loss.
Overview
During pregnancy, the rectus (six pack) muscles spread apart to create more intra-abdominal room. Sometimes the rectus muscles stay spread apart. This is due to stretching of the diasthasis recti tendon between the six pack muscles. Exercise will strengthen the muscles, but will not tighten the space between them. This can lead to a stubborn pouch that does not go away.
Look on your belly where the location of a c-section incision would be. Look at where your belly button is. The skin between these two points is removed during a tummy tuck. If you can gather this skin and pinch it off with your hand, you may be a good tummy tuck candidate.
The most confusing part of a tummy tuck is the belly button. You keep your own belly button. Skin is removed from below the belly button to where a c-section incision would be. The belly button stays in place, but is brought out through the tightened skin envelope. Imagine your tummy skin being pulled down like a curtain. Your belly button stays in the same place but is brought out though a new location.
The shape of your belly button will be different. Flat bellies have different shaped belly buttons than round ones. Let your surgeon know if you plan to wear a belly button ring because the technique might be different.
A tummy tuck is performed as an outpatient surgery in a surgery center. Patient’s go home with a drain, which is important to prevent fluid buildup at the surgical site. Drains are usually removed in the two weeks after surgery. All sutures are dissolvable. Dr. Mark Domanski lets most patient shower as soon as they want. Patients are provided abdominal binders, which may improve comfort.
Please let your doctor know if you or a family member has a history of bleeding disorders or blood clots.
Candidates
While somebody can have more pregnancies after a tummy tuck, its best to wait till you no longer plan any more children. Wait till your weight is stable for at least 6 months. If you are an Insta-mom, you might be back to your pre-pregnancy weight after 4 weeks. For many moms, it often takes up to a year. Make sure you have somebody to help take care of your children when you are recovering from a tummy tuck. For these reasons, many patients wait 2 years or more since their last child to have a tummy tuck.
Quitting smoking is about the only thing a doctor can recommend that will save you money. Smokers cough more after surgery and have more trouble healing. We recommend that smokers quit before considering a tummy tuck.
Recovery
It is better to have more time to recover than not enough. We prefer two weeks off of work. Most patients are able to resume their exercise routine at 6 to 8 weeks.
Most people don’t want or need tummy tucks. But some people can’t get the belly they want no matter how much they exercise or weight they loose. Some of those choose to trade an incision line for the flat belly they used to have.
BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY
Tummy Tuck - real patient results
Tummy Tuck - real patient results
Tummy Tuck - real patient results
Tummy Tuck - real patient results
Above results are real patients results..
WHICH PROCEDURE IS BETTER FOR YOU?
While both liposuction and tummy tuck are excellent body contouring procedures it’s extremely important to determine what specific issues must be corrected to determine the best course of treatment. If the problem is excess skin from excessive weight loss or loose abdominal muscles, a tummy tuck may be your best option. For individuals who just need to improve isolated areas liposuction is usually the best course of treatment.
Still unsure which procedure would be best for you, or would you like to know more? Please fill out the form below. We have created customized info sheet for your questions.
Whether you decide on a tummy tuck/liposuction or not, with us, or with another surgeon, we wish you the best of luck on your journey though life.
CONTACT US
Bluemont Plastic Surgery, PC
8316 Arlington Blvd., Suite 524, Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 596 -1660
Would you like to know more?
Please enter the information below and we will send you a customized info sheet with questions to help guide you through your decision regarding a tummy tuck and liposuction.
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