Has a new baby taken its toll on your body? Have you lost weight, but find yourself with excess abdominal skin? Do you want to smooth and shape your midsection? Here at the Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville we offer both liposuction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck); which one is right for you?

Liposuction- Less Invasive and Highly Effective

If you want to remove excess abdominal fat and reshape your body without the recovery of a tummy tuck, liposuction might be the right choice. It can be highly effective, removing stubborn pockets of fat in just one procedure. Liposuction is great for abdominal fat, but it can be used in other areas too including the arms, hips, thighs, and more.  The important thing to remember is that liposuction can empty the skin but doesn’t do as much to tighten the skin.

Liposuction is surgery and does require a recovery period, but compared with a tummy tuck, recovery is often shorter and easier. Most of our patients are able to return to work a few days after liposuction and feel much better after just a week or two. Most swelling and bruising is gone in three weeks. We take patient recovery seriously and will be here to support and monitor you throughout the recovery process.  Liposuction is one of the procedures we often offer to patients looking for a “Mommy Makeover”.

Tummy Tuck- Say Good Bye to Excess Skin and Fat

While liposuction is an effective choice for many patients, some need a little more to achieve the results they desire. For these patients a tummy tuck might be the best choice. A tummy tuck is more invasive than liposuction, but it can remove excess abdominal skin and tighten muscle, which may be essential in achieving the best results for those that have lost a lot of weight or that have had children. We often use both liposuction and abdominoplasty on patients looking for post-bariatric cosmetic surgery.

A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. It also tightens abdominal muscles and can greatly reduce the hated tummy bulge. Most patients will have a large scar after the procedure, possibly extending from hip to hip. Recovery times are also longer than with liposuction alone.

After abdominoplasty it can take weeks or months to feel normal again. We tell patients to expect at least four months before the swelling is completely gone. Those with strong abdominal muscles tend to recover more quickly. Take it easy and don’t push your body too hard, but remember that exercise can help you heal. Scarring will fade dramatically after about a year. Many people find that carefully chosen swimsuits and other clothing will camouflage any remaining scars.

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck Together

While liposuction and a tummy tuck are both great procedures on their own, many patients choose to have them together. Depending on the results you desire, we may choose to use both procedures. Liposuction is a great tool for sculpting and shaping while a tummy tuck  can tighten skin and muscle. Come in and talk with us about your needs; we’ll help you decide which procedure is the right fit.