Liposuction and tummy tucks remove excess fat on your body.
Both liposuction and abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, are ways to remove fat deposits on your body. Liposuction removes subcutaneous, under the skin, fat while a tummy tuck can minimize skin, fat and tighten muscles in your midsection. Both procedures are performed via a variety of techniques, although neither is a substitute for healthy weight loss. Talk to a cosmetic surgeon about which procedures are right for you. Does this Spark an idea?
Tumescent Liposuction
One of the most common liposuction techniques in use is called tumescent liposuction. This type of liposuction allows for the use of local anesthesia, rather than general anesthesia or IV narcotics and sedatives. Your surgeon injects a large volume of very dilute lidocaine, a local anesthetic, and epinephrine to constrict your capillaries, into subcutaneous fat. This injection causes your tissue to swell, hence the term "tumescent." This technique poses less risks than standard liposuction, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, although it is not without potential side effects and complications. Talk to a qualified cosmetic surgeon about tumescent liposuction.
Laser Liposuction
Laser liposuction, or liposculpture, is an alternative technique to the manual techniques used in tumescent liposuction, and can help your surgeon target specific body parts that are more difficult to access with other methods. Laser liposuction itself uses a few techniques to remove fat: suction or the laser is used to melt the fat, which is then drained out via small incisions. With small incisions, there is less scarring. The heat from the laser also causes your body to contract tissues around the liposuction area, helping to create smoother skin. Laser liposuction techniques are specially designed to target fat cells, potentially protecting muscle and nerve tissue. This precision speeds healing, reduces pain and leaves less bruising after the procedure.
Complete Tummy Tuck
A complete tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes a large amount of excess skin and fat tissue on the abdomen.If your abdomen is stretched beyond its normal limit, and you have a great deal of excess skin and fat, your surgeon may opt for this procedure. A complete tummy tuck is designed to tighten skin, fat and muscle and reconstruct your navel, noticeably altering your waistline and figure. It also addresses your love handles and upper abdomen. This complete procedure is typically performed using general anesthesia, although your surgeon can use a tumescent technique in certain cases.
Mini Tummy Tuck
The mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty, works best if you do not have a large amount of excess skin and fat, and it is mainly centered below your navel. This surgery leaves a smaller scar, typically just above your pubic bone. Unlike the complete tummy tuck, it does not require navel reconstruction. Your surgeon still tightens your abdominal muscles and remove excess fat and skin, although general anesthesia is not required. You may only receive a local anesthetic and sedation.
