Liposuction or a Tummy Tuck: Which is Best For You?

Posted November 30, 2023 in Liposuction, Mini Tummy Tuck, Mommy Makeover, No Drain Tummy Tuck

By Plastic Surgeon Dr. Chris Patronella

Very frequently, patients are looking for the easiest solution to whatever their concern is, and a perfect example of this is concerns the abdomen. Commonly, women who’ve had children will look at themselves and realize that it doesn’t look like it did before they had children. So oftentimes they are looking for a solution that is relatively easy with little downtime so they can continue to take care of their children.

They want to avoid tummy tuck surgery if possible because the recovery is a little longer, the potential for a visible scar is present , and they want to avoid that. So they will seek a surgeon who will do liposuction as the treatment. But if loose skin was present, as it normally is after having children, and/or if muscle wall separation is present, which also commonly occurs after pregnancies, then the results are often less than ideal. Loose skin is worsened, and contour irregularity is much more common in that patient.

So just because a procedure can be performed doesn’t mean it necessarily should be performed. I strongly urge patients who are considering liposuction of the abdomen to ask the question, “How will I look with this more limited procedure than potentially a tummy tuck procedure where more of the anatomical concerns can be addressed?”

Video: The Tummy Tuck Consultation: 4 Important Questions to Ask