Tummy tuck or lipo: which is the best body contouring procedure for me?

If you’re looking to achieve a flat, toned stomach, cosmetic surgery can help. Thousands of people go under the knife each year to eliminate excess pockets of fat which don’t resolve through diet and exercise alone. However, if you want to get the best results, it’s crucial you make sure you’re choosing the right procedure.

The two most common procedures carried out to achieve body contouring are a tummy tuck and liposuction. So, how do you know which one is right for you? Below, you’ll discover how to tell which procedure will generate the best results.

Tummy tuck or lipo: where do you want to lose fat?

A tummy tuck only focuses on the abdomen area, whereas liposuction can be used to eliminate from the flanks, back, hips or thighs where localised pockets of fat are often stored and the skin is typically quite tight. Liposuction can be performed on the abdominal area, but a careful appraisal of skin elasticity and muscle laxness during your consultation is essential to ensure you will be able to achieve the results you’re hoping for.

Tummy tuck or lipo: is there a loss of skin elasticity?

Unlike other areas of the body, there is often an excess of loose skin and marked muscle laxness in the abdomen, either from ageing, pregnancy or because of weight gain. In those cases, a tummy tuck is the most appropriate cosmetic surgery choice.

This is because the procedure focuses on not just eliminating the fat, but it also tightens the skin and muscles in the area too. Liposuction, on the other hand, only eliminates the fat and if you did have liposuction in an area where there is a loss of skin elasticity, you would more than likely end up with sagging skin as a result of the procedure.

Tummy tuck or lipo: how much fat do you need to lose?

Finally, the amount of fat you’re looking to lose will also determine which procedure is right for you. It’s worth noting that both a tummy tuck and liposuction are not designed to remove large sections of fat. Liposuction in particular, is only used as a contouring procedure, removing small pockets of fat at one time. So, a tummy tuck will typically have more drastic results.

Deciding on whether a tummy tuck or lipo is the best procedure for you will depend on a number of factors. During your cosmetic surgery consultation with Mr Paul Tulley, he will perform a comprehensive physical assessment, listen to your concerns and expectations and, from there, can offer you unbiased and expert advice on which procedure – or even a combination of abdominoplasty and liposuction – is best for you.

To arrange a body contouring surgery consultation with Mr Tulley, call 020 7183 1559.