People often use the terms “liposuction” and “tummy tuck” interchangeably, but in reality, these are two very different cosmetic procedures. Both are important, however, and they are often complementary. If you’re wondering which treatment is right for you, read on to discover what makes each one uniquely useful:

What’s The Difference Between Liposuction And Tummy Tuck Surgery?

The primary difference between liposuction and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery is that one typically involves the removal of fat, whereas the other aims to tighten up loose skin. Liposuction is often used to target stubborn fat deposits that diet and exercise alone have not been able to remove. It’s ideal for patients who have good skin and muscle tone overall, but need a bit of additional shaping. If you fall into this group, you may be able to have liposuction alone, without needing additional procedures.

Liposuction cannot, however, treat loose skin, stretch marks, or abdominal muscles that have been weakened by pregnancy or obesity. These are areas where abdominoplasty becomes useful; during a tummy tuck, the surgeon will tighten the skin and muscles, then remove excess skin permanently, creating a taught, toned appearance.

There are differences in how the two procedures are performed, too. During liposuction, a very small incision is made in the skin to allow a surgical tool to be inserted. First, a liquid solution is circulated throughout the fat deposit in order to loosen up the fat cells, then the fat is literally “sucked out” through a narrow tube. Because liposuction involves only a small incision, recovery time is often fairly minimal (lasting 3 days to about a week, depending on the patient).

An abdominoplasty, on the other hand, often requires a lengthy incision across the lower abdomen. This is needed because the surgeon must reposition a large portion of skin and muscle and then remove the excess. Naturally, if you have a tummy tuck, you’ll therefore need to spend more time recovering than if you have liposuction alone. After having an abdominoplasty performed, you’ll probably need to take at least 3 weeks off work (and avoid strenuous activities) in order to heal.

As a final note, it’s important to understand that neither liposuction nor abdominoplasty are intended to be “weight loss surgeries.” The former is meant to remove stubborn fat deposits that are not responsive to diet and exercise, whereas the latter improves skin tone following extensive weight loss. However, that being said, people who have more extensive abdominal liposuction (or who are using liposuction to complement natural weight loss) may wish to have a tummy tuck performed as well to increase skin firmness. As always, you should consult with your surgeon to figure out the best individual treatment plan for you. To schedule a consultation at the Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery, call 410-744-0900.