When Would You Need Liposuction With A Tummy Tuck?

If you’re like many men and women, you may have developed loose skin, stubborn fat, or other unwanted changes on your abdomen as you have aged. Pregnancy, weight fluctuation, genetics, hormones, and other factors can all contribute to excess skin and abdominal fat, and oftentimes traditional diet and exercise are ineffective against these concerns. Fortunately, cosmetic surgery offers a variety of fat reduction and fat removal treatments and procedures to help patients finally rid themselves of loose skin and stubborn fat so they can enjoy the slim, smooth, taut figure they’ve always wanted. However, with multiple options to choose from, it may be difficult to understand which procedure is right for you.

Dual board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nana Mizuguchi and the expert team at Mizuguchi Plastic Surgery are proud to offer the most advanced and effective body contouring procedures in Louisville, KY – including tummy tuck and liposuction – to help men and women achieve their ideal physique. Discover the benefits of each procedure here, and learn when it may be appropriate to have a combination of both tummy tuck and liposuction.

Do I need a tummy tuck or liposuction?

Because tummy tuck and liposuction can both be used to enhance the abdominal contour, it may be confusing to understand which procedure is right for you. The best way to determine the most appropriate course of treatment to help you reach your goals is to be evaluated by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. During your initial consultation, Dr. Mizuguchi will examine your abdomen, discuss your concerns, and answer all of your questions before creating a customized surgical plan that best meets your needs. In the meantime, it is helpful to understand the differences between the two procedures:

• Tummy tuck: Formerly known as abdominoplasty, tummy tuck surgery is a procedure designed to improve the abdominal contour primarily through skin removal and muscle tightening. A tummy tuck can be used to correct a diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles), tighten the abdominal fascia, remove loose skin after pregnancy or weight loss, and sculpt a gorgeous, smooth, firm midsection. Tummy tuck surgery does involve a lengthy incision and resulting scar, though the striking improvements are typically enough to far outweigh the presence of a scar.

• Liposuction: While liposuction can also dramatically transform a patient’s abdomen, it is primarily a fat reduction and fat removal tool. During liposuction in Louisville, KY, Dr. Mizuguchi utilizes small incisions and a handheld cannula to break up and remove stubborn fat cells, resulting in a slimmer, smoother contour.

It is important to keep in mind that neither tummy tuck nor liposuction should be considered a weight loss tool. Patients considering either procedure should already be at or near their ideal weight, have maintained that weight for at least 6 – 12 months, and have exhausted traditional diet and exercise methods.

Can I get liposuction and tummy tuck at the same time?

Liposuction on its own can help patients with small deposits of stubborn fat and good remaining skin elasticity, while tummy tuck as a stand-alone procedure is beneficial for patients with sagging, hanging skin following extreme weight loss or pregnancy. In some cases, a combination of liposuction plus tummy tuck is the best solution for addressing a patient’s specific concerns and achieving the most appealing result. For example, patients who have moderate to severe skin laxity, as well as stubborn fat, may benefit from liposuction to remove fat cells and then require a tummy tuck to remove the loose skin that remains. Additionally, after weight loss patients may have a large amount of excess skin as well as lingering pockets of fat that did not respond to diet and exercise in the same way, or at the same rate, as the rest of their body.

Following your consultation, Dr. Mizuguchi will be able to determine whether a single surgery or a combination of body contouring procedures may be right for you. Oftentimes, tummy tuck and/or liposuction are paired with additional procedures for a more complete transformation, as in the case of a mommy makeover. Common procedures performed alongside tummy tuck and liposuction include:

• Lower body lift
• Breast augmentation
• Breast lift
• Thigh lift
• Arm lift

While combination procedures may require an overnight stay and a longer recovery period, Dr. Mizuguchi is often able to employ an innovative drainless technique to help minimize the recovery associated with tummy tuck specifically.

Get the smooth, sexy, slim figure you’ve always wanted with liposuction and tummy tuck in Louisville, KY

Whether you have a significant amount of loose skin or simply can’t seem to shed those last few pounds, cosmetic surgery can help. Call the knowledgeable team at Mizuguchi Plastic Surgery to schedule your private consultation with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nana Mizuguchi today, and discover how liposuction and tummy tuck in Louisville, KY can help you complete the final step of your cosmetic transformation and look better than ever before!