How Can I Tell If I Need a Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, or Both?
If your abdominal skin hangs loose and has numerous stretch marks, liposuction (fat suctioning) is generally ill-advised because it would result in more loose skin and has no impact on stretch marks. Another indication for a tummy tuck would be if you have very little fat but your stomach bulges anyway.
In cases where there is both excess fat and a weakened abdominal wall, a limited amount of liposuction can be performed along the flanks and on the sides of the abdomen just prior to abdominoplasty. Liposuction should not be performed on the middle of the belly, however, because it could destroy the blood supply to the skin when followed by a tummy tuck.
The surgeon can be a little more aggressive with liposuction when done in conjunction with a mini-tummy tuck. Since only the skin of the lower abdomen is lifted, liposuction can be done on the upper abdomen as well as the flanks.
Approximately half of all abdominoplasty patients also have liposuction.
|
