Advantages and Disadvantages of a Tummy Tuck
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a major surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia and involves liposuction and excision to remove fat, plus a large excision of skin. The typical result is usually a flatter tummy with a large scar extending from the pubic area to the lower abdomen to anterior hips. Because the surgeon can directly visualize the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall during a tummy tuck, lax abdominal muscles can be surgically tightened during a tummy tuck procedure. Before the invention of liposuction, a tummy tuck was the only surgical method for removing excessive abdominal fat. In many patients (but not all) liposuction of the abdomen can often provide equivalent or better results than a tummy tuck. Because liposuction is safer and causes less scarring compared to tummy tucks, abdominal liposuction is now far more common than are tummy tucks.
What are the advantages of a tummy tuck (compared to liposuction)?
The only patients for whom a tummy tuck is superior to abdominal liposuction are the relatively few women having extreme degrees of lower abdominal skin laxity, unusually extensive stretch marks, or severely stretched abdominal muscles (as a result of pregnancy). Tummy tuck surgically removes skin with severe stretch marks. Liposuction does not remove stretch marks. A tummy tuck can produce a flatter abdominal wall by tightening the abdominal muscles. Liposuction is appropriate for patients who have abdominal muscles that have not been excessively stretched out of shape by pregnancy. A tummy tuck can remove excessive amounts of loose abdominal skin. However, the loose abdominal skin does not mean that a tummy tuck is necessary. After liposuction, abdominal skin often contracts to a surprising degree so that an excision is not necessary.
What are the disadvantages of a tummy tuck?
Tummy tucks are often associated with scars in the lower abdominal areas. Although the lower abdominal area is usually covered when a bathing suit is worn, the scars can be visible without clothes. Tummy tucks are more involved than abdominal liposuction and as such, there is a greater risk. Due to the fact that it is a more invasive surgery, the recovery time is longer than liposuction alone. However, the benefits of a tummy tuck might outweigh the scaring, extended recovery time, risk, and other downsides and are relative to the patient’s needs and goals.
Contact Neaman Plastic Surgery to learn more about our Tummy Tuck procedure and to see if you are an ideal candidate. You can reach us at 844-338-5445 or use our contact form.
