Clearing Up the Blurred Line Between the Two Popular Body Contouring Procedures
Body contouring procedures are some of the most sought after plastic surgeries in the United States, the tummy tuck and liposuction being the two most common. However, when it comes to these two procedures, people often think that they are very similar and that they essentially do the same thing for your body. The truth is that they are actually quite different.
ONE PROCEDURE REMOVES THE BODY’S UNWANTED FAT.
LIPOSUCTION. Here is where most of the confusion between the two procedures comes from. Tummy Tucks do not target excess fat in the body. The tummy tuck is often confused as a procedure that helps remove fat, when really it is actually liposuction that does this. When you are looking to reduce fat as a means to contour the body, liposuction is the procedure that will help accomplish that. There areminimally invasive liposuction alternatives such as Vaser Lipo, although these are intended for smaller amounts of fat. The tummy tuck has a different purpose that comes in play after weight loss.
THE OTHER ADDRESSES THE EXCESS SKIN OFTEN LEFT OVER.
THE TUMMY TUCK. When the skin is stretched out for so long, whether by pregnancy or weight gain, when the body reverts to a smaller size, the skin will often lack the elasticity to tighten back up. This is what the tummy tuck (officially termed abdominoplasty) is for. Abdominoplasty got its nickname because of the way it seemingly tucks away this hanging skin or tissue around the belly to provide the body with a smoother shape.
Because the tummy tuck is not a fat reducing procedure, it is intended for those living a healthy lifestyle but haven’t been able to rid themselves of the extra bit of skin around the belly. On the other hand, since liposuction does address body fat but can often leave the body with this excess skin issue as a result of rapid weight loss, the two procedures are often performed together.
