A body contouring treatment such as liposuction or a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is the best way to sculpt your figure for a smooth, athletic look. Body contouring procedures have become increasingly popular as people seek solutions to excess fat after pregnancy or solutions to excess skin after undergoing massive weight loss. Liposuction or a tummy tuck, can help you achieve a smoother, more athletic figure, but deciding which one is best for you will depend on your individual preferences.
Dr. Alyson Wells is a double-board certified plastic surgeon who has helped thousands of patients achieve life-changing results with her body contouring procedures. The team at Valley Plastic Surgery & Medi-Spa can help you enhance your natural figure for a beautiful new contour. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their body, and you do not need to put off your dream figure when there is an easy solution.
Contact our office or call (410) 628-8200 to schedule an appointment.
Before and After Photos
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure that removes excess tissue from the abdominal area for a smoother look and repairs the abdominal muscles. If you were recently pregnant, experienced massive weight loss, or gained weight from lifestyle changes, this procedure can restore your figure. Tummy tucks are the perfect solution for men and women who want to achieve their desired look. The benefits of a tummy tuck include the following:
- Enhanced abdominal contour
- Toned, tighter abdomen
- Repaired abdominal muscles
- Enhanced muscle definition
- Reduced back pain (2)
Unlike liposuction, which only removes pockets of fat, the tummy tuck removes excess skin that may be a problem in the abdominal area. For this reason, tummy tuck procedures are usually longer than liposuction procedures, between 1-4 hours in duration, depending on the nature of the treatment plan. A drawback of abdominoplasty is that it results in a long scar from hip to hip and therefore requires more downtime compared to liposuction.
Repairing Abdominal Muscles
Diastasis recti is a common condition after pregnancy that causes the abdominal muscles to separate and weaken. (1) With a tummy tuck, Dr. Wells can create internal corset-like sutures to place the muscles into the correct position once more. One of the main benefits of a tummy tuck is renewed abdominal strength.
Liposuction
Liposuction (lipoplasty) is a body contouring procedure that eliminates excess pockets of fat with suction. If you wish to contour your body for a toned, athletic look, we can help you achieve your body goals with liposuction to:
- Eliminate stubborn abdominal fat
- Contour your figure for your desired result
- Enhance the proportions of your body
- Harness fat for fat grafting
Removing Stubborn Fat
Unlike a tummy tuck, liposuction does not remove excess skin, making the procedure as minimally invasive as possible, with less downtime. During a liposuction procedure, Dr. Wells will make a small, discreet incision near the treatment area to break up the excess fat. Next, she will use a thin metal instrument called a cannula to remove it. The appointment takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of fat and the size of the treatment area. After liposuction, you can enjoy immediate results.
A drawback of liposuction is that it cannot address excess lax skin or repair muscles in the abdominal area. If these are present, Dr. Wells will recommend abdominoplasty.
After Massive Weight Loss
If you recently underwent massive weight loss, we can discuss the best body contouring procedures to help you restore your beautiful figure. The team at Valley Plastic Surgery & Medi-Spa offers a Tummy Tuck After Massive Weight Loss procedure that will tighten your abdominal muscles, remove sagging skin, and eliminate excess fat for a smoother midsection. Sometimes weight gain can stretch the skin, resulting in drooping pockets of skin that can chafe uncomfortably beneath your clothing. You may need a lower body lift in addition to a tummy tuck to restore your figure, depending on the amount of weight you have lost. A lower body lift removes excess skin from the pubic area, thighs, and buttocks in addition to the abdomen. To learn more, see our blog about lower body lifts.
Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Wells will ask about your goals and expectations for your procedure. Please come prepared to discuss your medical history. The best candidates for any surgical procedure are healthy nonsmokers who do not have a condition that impairs their healing ability. During your consultation, we will discuss your lifestyle and a procedural plan to help you meet your body goals.
Preparation
To prepare for your treatment, you will need to stop smoking approximately 6 weeks before and after your procedure for the best result. You will need to stop taking blood thinners 1-2 weeks before your procedure and must stop drinking 24 hours before and after. You will need to arrange for a reliable adult to drive you home and care for you for the first 1-3 days. We also recommend that you meal prep for a smoother recovery to prevent trips to the store while your body is healing.
Recovery
If you receive liposuction, you can return to sedentary work after approximately one week. For a tummy tuck, you may need several weeks of downtime to allow your incisions to heal. In either case, you must avoid intense exercise for several weeks for the best results. Our team will provide a compression garment to help your body recover and protect your beautiful figure.
Corresponding Procedures
Breast Enhancement
Our breast enhancement procedures are the perfect addition to liposuction or a tummy tuck procedure. After liposuction, Dr. Wells can purify the fat she extracts from your body and inject it into your breasts to augment them or she can place implants. A breast lift will reposition breasts that are sagging from age. Drooping skin is common as the skin loses elasticity, and lifting the breasts can help your bras fit better or help you feel better in your clothing.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a comprehensive and customizable procedure that contours the body after pregnancy. It frequently includes a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast enhancement. If your abdominal muscles were separated during pregnancy, we can repair them with a tummy tuck and remove excess skin for a smoother abdomen. We can also augment and lift the breasts if you lose volume after breastfeeding. To learn more about how our corresponding procedures can transform your body and help you meet your goals, see the blog.
The Cost of a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction in Baltimore
The cost of your tummy tuck or liposuction procedure will depend on your treatment plan. We will provide an all-inclusive quote for you based on your unique needs. We offer financing to help make your procedure accessible, and if you need to travel for surgery, we will help you make accommodations. You do not need to wait to achieve your dream figure. Contact our office or call (410) 628-8200 to get started at our office in Cockeysville.
FAQ
Can I combine liposuction and tummy tuck procedures?
Yes, it is common for patients to combine liposuction and tummy tuck surgeries to achieve comprehensive body contouring and optimal aesthetic outcomes.
How will I know if liposuction or a tummy tuck is right for me?
During your consultation, we will discuss your goals, and our team will make a surgical plan based on your unique needs. Patients who have excess skin that they need to remove usually need a tummy tuck. If you do not have excess skin, but you have excess fat then you are likely a good candidate for liposuction.
Will I lose weight after abdominoplasty?
While abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat, it is not intended as a weight-loss procedure. The primary goal of abdominoplasty is to improve the contour and firmness of the abdominal area, rather than significantly reduce weight.
Will I have visible scars after a tummy tuck?
Incisions made during abdominoplasty will result in some scarring; however, surgeons take great care to place incisions strategically, ensuring that any resulting scars can be easily concealed by clothing and swimwear. Over time, scars tend to fade and become less noticeable.
How long do the results of abdominal liposuction last?
The results of abdominal liposuction are typically long-lasting, as the removed fat cells do not generally regenerate. It is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, to help maintain the improved contours achieved through the procedure.
Can men undergo abdominal liposuction?
Yes, abdominal liposuction is performed on both men and women. Men often seek this procedure to address stubborn belly fat or achieve a more masculine abdominal appearance.
References
- Ward ZJ, Bleich SN, Cradock AL, et al. Projected U.S. State-Level Prevalence of Adult Obesity and Severe Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2019;381(25):2440-2450. doi:https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmsa1909301
- Soteropulos CE, Edinger KM, Leibl KE, Siebert JW. Improvement in Back Pain Following Abdominoplasty: Results of a 10-Year, Single-Surgeon Series. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020;40(12):1309-1315. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjaa032
