Liposuction and Tummy Tuck - Why They are Performed Together

It seems like anywhere you look on social media, there is a new plastic surgery trend being discussed. The latest plastic surgery news does not always revolve around a new technique or treatment. There are times when a new trend concerns a new twist on an existing procedure. One of the latest spins on plastic surgery is actually a combination of procedures that have been performed together for quite some time. Take a look at the article below to learn why liposuction and a tummy tuck are performed together and how the combination benefits the contour of the body.

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck – A Look at Both Procedures

Liposuction is able to eliminate fat on the body that is stubborn and hard to remove through regular diet and exercise. Some of the most common areas on the body where it is performed include the hips, thighs, and abdomen. The surgeon creates small incisions in the targeted area of the body so a cannula can be inserted in order to suction out the fat cells in the targeted region. The fat cells are removed permanently, and the body gains an improved contour and shape.

A tummy tuck, AKA abdominoplasty, is performed to remove excess fat and skin that is located in the abdomen, so the area attains a look that is smoother and tighter. In addition, a tummy tuck can repair abdomen muscles that are separated or weakened. The patient will enjoy a stomach that is flatter in appearance along with an improved tone.

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck – Why They Are Combined by a Plastic Surgeon

One of the main reasons that a plastic surgeon will combine a tummy tuck with liposuction is that the patient will enjoy a greater amount of contour to the body. The proportions of the body will be improved, and the combination can also address a part of the treated area that is sometimes overlooked. If the plastic surgeon removes excess skin and fat as well as tightens muscles in the abdomen that separated due to stretching during a pregnancy, but the doctor does not treat the sides of the abdomen, the final results can look abnormal or disproportionate.

In addition, the performance of the two procedures at the same time does not add much extra time to the surgical procedure. Instead, the person will attain an improved contour over the results they would see if only liposuction or a tummy tuck were performed on their own.

The combination of the two treatments also helps the patient when it comes to time, money, and recovery. There will only be one recovery period instead of two if the surgeries were performed at separate times. The patient will likely save money by combining the two treatments and the person will not have to take off work twice since they are performed at the same time by the plastic surgeon.

Another advantage of combining them is an improved shape to the final results. If a tummy tuck is performed without any additional contouring from liposuction, the patient will likely have an improved profile when looking at the side of the body. On the other hand, the front view of the abdomen might have a look that is rather rectangular or “boxy” in its shape and appearance. The “boxy” look can work against the natural curves of a female patient so adding liposuction can maintain the natural curves and feminine appearance of the treated area.

It should be noted that neither procedure is designed to help a person lose weight or additional mass from the body. Instead, they work to give the body a more subtle sculpted appearance. The addition of liposuction on the flanks and lower back, even in patients who are extremely thin, can give a greater contour to the body such as an hourglass shape.

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck – Female Patients Recognize the Benefits of Combining Them

One of the main steps in planning a plastic surgery procedure is making sure the actual surgery is customized to meet the unique needs of the individual patient. More women than ever before are recognizing the benefits of having dual procedures that enhance the contours of the body and also increase the level of self-confidence in their overall appearance.

The first step in the combination process is meeting with a doctor who is experienced and board-certified in performing both procedures. The doctor will examine the body of the patient to make sure they are healthy enough to have two surgeries and that the person is an ideal patient for the treatments. The plastic surgeon will also learn about the goals of the patient and the type of results they hope to achieve from combining a tummy tuck and liposuction. The doctor will then set realistic expectations about the results that can be gained by the patient and help the person make a final decision about having the two procedures at the same time.

- MA