When it comes to liposuction, there are a few things you need to know about recovery. First, the recovery period will be different depending on your particular procedure. Liposuction can be done using different techniques, and some techniques will take longer than others to heal. The most common technique is called tumescent liposuction. With this type of lipo, doctors use a special fluid to numb the area around the fat they’re removing and also infuse it with lidocaine or other medications that help decrease inflammation. This method has been shown to reduce post-operative pain significantly (1).
The second thing you should know is that liposuction doesn’t require much downtime—the average patient returns to work 2 days after their procedure (2). However, it’s important not to stretch your skin too soon after surgery because this can lead to complications like skin necrosis and delayed healing (3).
If you’re considering having liposuction done, be sure to ask your doctor how long you should wait before exercising again or getting back into your normal routine.
Right here on Cosmeticsurgerytips, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on liposuction and tummy tuck difference, abdominoplasty and liposuction recovery, lipo and tummy tuck before and after, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Liposuction And Tummy Tuck Recovery Time
Are your abs ready for summer? For many of us, even endless crunches won’t be enough to restore a tight, flat abdominal area. If you have loose, stretched out skin, separated abdominal muscles, or excess fat, you may need a tummy tuck. Stomach liposuction is the perfect complement to a tummy tuck for getting your body ready for a day at the beach. Can lipo and tummy tuck at the same time be the ideal procedure for you?
Lipo and Tummy Tuck at the Same Time? Can it Be Done?
The question is, what’s the best way to achieve your aesthetic goals: By getting liposuction, a tummy tuck, or a combination of the two? In the meantime, consider the perks of each procedure, and also learn more about why you might want to have them both done at the same time.
Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck
Let’s start with some brief surgical overviews of lipo vs tummy tuck.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in the country. Essentially, it’s a way to eliminate those stubborn areas of fat and flab that don’t seem to respond to diet and exercise.
Liposuction can be performed on many areas of the body. The most common are the hips, thighs, belly, buttocks, back, and arms. However, it’s worth noting that you can also get lipo to remove your double chin, or to complement a facelift or breast augmentation. For our purposes today, we’re focusing mostly on liposuction of the abdomen.
There are a number of different types of liposuction surgery, and when you join us for a consultation, we’ll be happy to go over the different options. For now, just know that liposuction involves surgical incisions being made to the target area, and then excess/unwanted fat cells literally being vacuumed out of the body. By permanently eliminating these fat cells, liposuction can offer truly long-lasting results, allowing you to enjoy the contoured appearance you’ve always wanted.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Your other option for getting swimsuit-ready is to get a tummy tuck. Also known as an abdominoplasty, this is another very common form of plastic surgery, wherein your surgeon will remove excess fat, tissue, and fluids from your belly, and also repair weakened abdominal muscles.
As a result, a tummy tuck won’t just help you eliminate stubborn flab. It will also ensure that you have a smooth, taut, firm tummy.
As with liposuction, there are different types of tummy tucks to choose from. For example, patients can decide between a full tummy tuck, a circumferential tummy tuck, or even a “mini” tummy tuck. Our surgeons will help guide you with this decision, which really just comes down to your personal body concerns and contouring goals.
Do I Need Liposuction, a Tummy Tuck, or Both?
So, both liposuction and tummy tucks can help you achieve a more contoured, more aesthetically pleasing abdomen, and to lose some of that stubborn flab that just won’t respond to diet and exercise. And while some patients choose to get one procedure over the other, it’s important to note that getting lipo and a tummy tuck simultaneously is very common. Here’s a quick guide to each option:
- Liposuction Alone- Opt for only liposuction if you have a little excess abdominal fat, but no loose skin and no abdominal muscle separation. Liposuction on its own can remove unwanted fat and shape the abdomen.
- Tummy Tuck Alone- A tummy tuck on its own may be right for you if you have loose skin or muscle separation without excess fat. A tummy tuck can restore a flat appearance to the abdomen by tightening abdominal muscles and removing excess skin.
- Liposuction + Tummy Tuck- Choose both liposuction and a tummy tuck if you want to remove skin and fat. This combination procedure shapes and sculpts the entire middle, restoring a tight, flat appearance. A tummy tuck with liposuction is ideal after pregnancy or weight loss.
As you can see, there’s no “right answer.” It all comes down to your body and your aesthetic goals.
Liposuction + Tummy Tuck- Why Should I Combine These Two Treatments?
If you’re thinking about a tummy tuck, liposuction makes an excellent complement. These two procedures work together, removing unwanted fat, tightening up abdominal muscles, and reshaping the entire area. By adding liposuction to your tummy tuck you can get a tight, flat tummy while eliminating love handles and reshaping the waist. A tummy tuck alone can reshape the abdomen, but when you add liposuction we can shape and contour your whole middle, front to back and side to side.
Can I Get Both Lipo and Tummy Tuck at the Same Time?
Who has time for downtime? By combining your tummy tuck with liposuction, you can minimize downtime and maximize results. We can often pair these treatments together, with a single trip to the operating room, to save time and money while ensuring your best results. Finally, by having both procedures done at the same time, you can mitigate your risk of anesthesia complications by “going under” once instead of twice.
Not everyone needs both procedures, but if you do, it makes a lot of sense to have both of them performed on the same day.
Liposuction And Tummy Tuck Difference
Abdominoplasty – also known as a ‘Tummy Tuck’ – and liposuction are two very similar, but different, surgical procedures. They both aim to change the appearance of your stomach to create a flatter, tighter and smaller look. However, in terms of the procedure, recovery time and risks involved, there are some key differences between the two. Read on to find out more about the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction and find out which procedure is best for you.
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction?
Both procedures, performed by plastic surgeons, claim to make your stomach appear flatter, tighter and smaller. But both procedures are different and have differing risks and results. The main difference between the two abdominal procedures are as follows:
- Liposuction removes small fat deposits in the body found on the hips, thighs, bottom or stomach.
- A tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, which cannot be fixed with diet and exercise.
Who is it for?
The two procedures are aimed at people with similar cosmetic goals, but there are differences in scarring and how evasive it is. These are the main differences between a tummy tuck and liposuction surgery:
- Tummy tuck
In addition to removing excess fat from the abdomen area, a tummy tuck also removes excess skin. When you are pregnant or have had a significant change in weight, it can stretch the skin on and around your abdomen. A tummy tuck procedure can be used to restore the look of a flat and contoured midsection, by bringing the rectus abdominus (sit-up muscles) back together if they’ve been stretched or separated – this is a common occurrence.
However, this procedure is not for everyone. You may want to reconsider a tummy tuck if:
- you have a BMI over 30
- you are hoping to fall pregnant in the future
- you are actively trying to lose weight
- you have a chronic heart condition
- Liposuction
Once the stomach area is numb, your surgeon will make a number of small incisions around the fat deposits around your stomach. A thin tube will then be inserted under the skin to loosen the fat cells and a medical vacuum will be used to suck out the dislodged fat, creating a flatter stomach as a result.
It is worth noting that this procedure may take several sessions to reach your desired result.
The results
The difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction results are not distinctly clear – they both produce the same outcome: a flatter stomach. However, one is often more long-lasting than the other…
- Tummy tuck
After a tummy tuck, the results are often permanent. The procedure helps to strengthen your abdominal muscles, helping to strengthen your abdominal wall. The excess skin that has been removed won’t return unless your weight fluctuates, or you fall pregnant.
- Liposuction
People who have liposuction on their abdomen will expect to see a flatter and proportioned midsection after recovery. These results are said to be permanent, however if you gain weight in the future, fat will reaccumulate in your body, although not always in the areas that were suctioned.
Possible complications
As with any kind of surgery, there are possible side effects and complications that you should be aware of. The difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction are as follows:
- Tummy tuck
Tummy tuck procedures have been shown to carry more complication risks than other cosmetic procedures. According to one particular study, wound complications and infections were among the most common reasons for patients to be readmitted to hospital. Other possible risks include:
- Changes in sensation
- Fluid accumulation
- Tissue necrosis
- Liposuction
Understandably, the risk of complication increases if your surgeon is operating on a large area of your stomach. Some of the possible risks include:
- Numbness
- Contour irregularities
- Fluid accumulation
In addition, there are some other risks which can occur, however these are extremely rare. These include, infection, an internal organ puncture or a fat embolism.
The recovery
The recovery time differs between a tummy tuck and liposuction. The main stages of recovery are as follows:
- Tummy tuck
When you wake up from the surgery, the incision will be covered in surgical dressing. You will have to go back to your surgeon several times to get this changed. Your surgeon will give you a pressure garment.
Within one day, you should be up and walking with a helping hand, to prevent blood clots. It is likely that you will be taking prescription painkillers and antibiotics to ease any discomfort and reduce the risk of infection. You may also have a surgical drain for up to two weeks.
It takes six weeks for the initial recovery phase of a tummy tuck to pass, and you will have several follow-up appointments along the way to check the incision is healing well. During this time, you should avoid any activity which may pull or place too much tension on the incision. It goes without saying, you should also avoid any strenuous physical activity or exercise during the recovery period, until your doctor allows you to.
- Liposuction
Your recovery process will depend on how many areas were operated on and whether additional liposuction sessions are needed.
After the procedure, your surgeon may recommend that you wear a pressure garment over your stomach, to aid swelling and help your skin heal.
Liposuction is only an outpatient procedure, which means that you can continue regular activity fairly quickly, within 48 hours of the procedure. Despite this, you should avoid lifting anything heavy or taking part in extensive cardio until your doctor has given their approval.
Things to consider
If you’re thinking of going ahead, just like other cosmetic procedures, a tummy tuck is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Make sure you have carried out thorough research of the procedure, including the cost and any side effects that may occur. It is important to take time to reflect on your decision before going ahead, as it is a major surgical procedure that requires weeks to heal, to patients should take this into account as it will affect working – particularly if you have an active job.