Body

What is the difference between liposuction and tummy tuck?

Many patients have questions about the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction. Where a tummy tuck reconstructs the muscles underneath and removes excess skin, liposuction only removes excess fat. Liposuction will not remove or reduce loose, hanging, or excess skin

What is the recovery time for a tummy tuck?

What is the recovery time for a tummy tuck?

Most people take one to two weeks off work to recover from abdominoplasty, at which point they are ready to return to most normal non-strenuous activities. Although it’s important to be moving around as soon as you are able, strenuous activities are limited for 12 weeks to allow for full healing. At each of your follow-up appointments, Dr. Plank will inform you of what activities are appropriate for your personal pace of healing.

What areas of the body are best suited for liposuction?

Liposuction improves localized areas of fat. The abdomen, flanks, saddle bags and inner thighs are the most commonly treated areas. If there is excess skin in an area such as the inner thighs, liposuction may not work well. If you have excess skin or a bulge of the abdomen, you may need a tummy tuck.

Can I have a liposuction procedure if I am overweight?

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight reduction plan. Liposuction complements other lifestyle changes such as diet modification and exercise. Depending on your body frame, being a bit overweight does not rule you out as a surgical candidate. It is simply not safe to perform liposuction on someone who is significantly overweight.

Does the suctioned fat come back?

Essentially no, unless you were to gain a good deal of weight. In that case, the fat gets redistributed everywhere, including those areas that were suctioned.

What is the recovery time for liposuction?

Recovery time is dependent on the area being suctioned as well as the patient. Expect to take off one week from work to recover.