Posted August 21, 2018 in Liposuction, Tummy Tuck
You might be one of the many people who start the year with a resolution to regain your figure. Living a healthy lifestyle, eating better, and exercising consistently are all important habits to maintain. But sometimes, it’s just not enough. The weight stops coming off, and the waistline stops shrinking. It can also be difficult to strengthen abdominal muscles that have weakened. And, if you’ve already lost considerable amounts of weight, your skin may be sagging. If you are unhappy with your progress, and you’re probably ready to make a significant change, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can help restore your figure. To further enhance your figure, however, combining the procedure with liposuction can provide you with even more dramatic results.
What’s the Difference?
While often performed together, abdominoplasty and liposuction target different concerns.
Removing Pockets of Fat
During abdominoplasty, some fat and tissue can be removed, but it does not address the larger pockets of fat that are difficult to remove through exercise. In order to address these pockets of fat, liposuction is necessary. Using a small cannula, Dr. Boll will extract fat while also contouring your midsection. It’s important to note that liposuction is not meant to be a weight loss procedure, and you should be close to your desired weight prior to your procedure.
Tightening Muscles
Genetics and aging, as well as pregnancy and childbirth, can affect the strength of your abdominal muscles. While exercise can help to restore your strength, it may not fully restore your muscle tone. During abdominoplasty, Dr. Boll will use sutures to tighten your muscles if necessary.
Addressing Sagging Skin
Sagging skin is addressed during your tummy tuck surgery. Once any fat or tissue has been removed, Dr. Boll will gently stretch the skin, draping over your new contours and tightening it over your midsection. She will excise any extra skin before closing your incisions. Liposuction will not address skin sagging around your midsection.
Why Should I Consider Both Procedures?
Because both procedures target specific concerns, many patients find that one or the other will suffice to help them meet their treatment goals. However, skin sagging and stubborn pockets of fat often go hand in hand. Both concerns cannot be addressed in a single procedure. By combining abdominoplasty with liposuction, it will give you the most dramatic results and let you fully restore your slim figure.
Long-Lasting Results
The results of both abdominoplasty and liposuction are long-lasting, as long as there are no significant weight changes. While liposuction removes fat from your midsection, it does not prevent fat from redepositing around your tummy. Additionally, weight gain will stretch the skin and can cause sagging around your stomach again. Maintaining your weight, eating well, and being consistent with exercise will help you keep your results for a long time!
To learn more about how you may benefit from abdominoplasty combined with liposuction, call us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Boll. Our office can be reached at 480-833-5200.