A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, can be an excellent body contouring option for men or women concerned with loose or baggy abdominal skin. Not only can a tummy tuck tighten your stomach skin for a smoother abdomen, but the procedure can also tone abdominal muscles and remove limited amounts of excess fatty tissue.
However, a tummy tuck in itself isn’t always enough to give patients the results they want. For some, an ideal cosmetic outcome can only be attained through a combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck. Here are three benefits of combining procedures for more comprehensive body contouring.
Removes More Fat
While a tummy tuck can remove small amounts of fat, the focus of the procedure is not on slimming your contours, but on providing smoother and tighter skin to better showcase your midsection. Patients who would like a slimmer, less pudgy abdomen can benefit from targeted liposuction to remove fat cells before smoothing the skin over their new abdominal shape.
Slims Down Transition Areas
Transition areas, such as the love handles and thighs, are notorious for storing disproportionate amounts of subcutaneous fat. These areas can be particularly resistant to traditional fat-reducing methods of diet and exercise. When combined with a tummy tuck, liposuction can create sleeker contours in transition areas to provide a more desirable shape with your new look.
Results in a Faster Recovery without Drains
When combining liposuction with a tummy tuck, the surgeon uses an alternate technique of layered stitching to minimize the risk of fluid buildup, negating the need for surgical drains. The innovative technique also produces less strain on the site of the incision, making for a quicker, more comfortable recovery.
Author: Dr. Joseph Castellano
Dr. Joseph Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After medical school and residency, Dr. Castellano returned home and has opened a practice in Tampa, Florida focusing on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. He is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
