A Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) procedure can be safely combined with liposuction in other areas besides the abdomen, such as the hips, back, arms and thighs.This combination of procedures can help you to achieve a more defined, contoured overall physique by removing pockets of unwanted fat and excess skin in certain ‘problem areas’. A flatter, more toned stomach coupled with slimmer hips, thighs or arms can not only improve the way your clothes fit but also make you feel fantastic on the inside.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
A tummy tuck or Abdominoplasty procedure is a popular surgical option for women and men who have lower abdominal skin laxity naturally due to age or severely stretched abdominal muscles (as a result of pregnancy) and who are affected by extensive stretch marks. Depending where these stretch marks are located, a tummy tuck can often involve surgically removing skin affected by stretch marks.
Tummy tuck surgery also produces a flatter abdominal wall by tightening the abdominal muscles and can remove excessive amounts of loose abdominal skin.
There are many benefits to the tummy tuck procedure however it’s necessary to be aware that it results in scarring across the lower abdomen, both a full tummy tuck and mini tummy tuck will leave you with a scar that runs horizontally across your lower abdomen from hip to hip, located a few centimetres below your belly button. A full abdominoplasty commonly involves at least two incisions, entailing a number of scars. If you are put off by the idea of permanent scarring as a result of a procedure, the Tummy Tuck treatment may not be for you.
Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction can be used to treat several specific ‘problem areas’ such as the chin, neck and cheeks, the upper arms and torso, the abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs as well as the knees, calves and ankles. It’s very common that a tummy tuck is combined with liposuction of the back or flank area (more commonly known as love handles or muffin top). Given that the flank area often influences clothing size, particularly with items such as jeans. A Tummy Tuck and Liposuction combined treatment can potentially result in you dropping a size or two, enabling you to wear clothes you never thought you could.
Liposuction involves a small incision, just large enough for the insertion of a hollow tube called a cannula. The opposite end of this tube is then attached to a machine that creates a strong vacuum. The cannula is manipulated deep within the fat tissue layers under the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out. Sometimes additional incisions are required during the procedure. The Liposuction procedure can take up to two hours in total, however the time will vary greatly depending on the size of the area being targeted and the amount of fat to be suctioned away. Most patients require a general anaesthetic but if your procedure is minor, liposuction can be performed under local anaesthesia, numbing the treatment area.
There’s very little scarring with liposuction and the results can be permanent, providing you eat sensibly and exercise regularly. If you gain weight, you’ll probably gain it more uniformly throughout your body, not just in the fatty pockets treated through liposuction. Take note that liposuction will have no effect on cellulite. You will need to make sure to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly following the procedure in order to maintain the results of liposuction.
