Tummy tuck or liposculpture: what suits your situation?

An abdomen that no longer springs back after a pregnancy or major weight loss often raises the same question. Is liposculpture enough, or is a tummy tuck needed? The answer depends less on how much fat there is than on the condition of the skin and the abdominal muscles. In this article you will read what both procedures do, where they differ and what the doctor looks at during the consultation.

Three layers in the abdomen

To understand the difference, it helps to look at the abdomen as three layers. At the top lies the skin. Underneath is the subcutaneous fat. Deeper down lie the abdominal muscles, with the two rectus abdominis muscles in the middle, connected by a band of connective tissue.

Liposculpture works on the middle layer. A tummy tuck can act on all layers. Which layer makes the difference in your case determines which procedure comes into the picture.

What liposculpture does

During liposculpture, the doctor removes subcutaneous fat through a few small incisions of 3 to 5 millimetres. First, an anaesthetic fluid is injected under the skin. The fat is then suctioned away with a thin cannula. The fat can also be reintroduced elsewhere, which is called lipofilling.

The procedure usually takes place under sedation. If several zones or a larger volume are involved, the doctor sometimes opts for general anaesthesia. Afterwards you wear compression garments for about six weeks. These help the skin adapt to the new contour and limit the swelling.

Liposculpture relies on the elasticity of the skin itself. If the skin is firm enough, it will adapt to the new shape after the procedure. If it is not, more loose skin is sometimes left after the fat has been removed than there was before.

What a tummy tuck does

A tummy tuck, medically an abdominoplasty, addresses skin, fat and muscles together. First, liposuction is performed where needed. If the rectus abdominis muscles are separated, also known as diastasis, they are sutured back together. The doctor then removes the excess skin through an incision that is usually located within the underwear or bikini line.

Because the skin is tightened from top to bottom, the navel usually receives a new opening in the correct place.

If the excess skin is limited and is mainly located below the navel, a smaller procedure may suffice. The navel then stays in place and the scar is shorter. This is called a mini abdominoplasty.

Diastasis, the layer you do not see

After one or more pregnancies, the rectus abdominis muscles are often separated. This is called a diastasis. As a result, you get a more rounded abdomen, even at a healthy weight and with regular training. If you tense the abdominal muscles, you may feel a groove or a bulge in the middle of the abdomen.

Liposculpture does not change a diastasis. In the case of a pronounced diastasis, repair of that muscle wall can only be achieved through a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty.

Which procedure for which situation

Liposculpture is suitable for you if you:

• have stubborn fat accumulations that do not go away, not even with healthy eating and sufficient exercise
• have skin that is still firm and elastic
• have no or hardly any diastasis (separation of the abdominal muscles)

A tummy tuck is more something for you if you:

• have loose or overhanging skin after a pregnancy or substantial weight loss
• have stretch marks below the navel (these can be removed together with the excess skin)
• have a clear diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles

In practice, the choice is rarely black and white. We often combine a tummy tuck with extensive liposuction. After a pregnancy, it can also be part of a broader approach, in which the abdomen and breasts are looked at together. This is then called a mommy makeover.

Choosing the moment

Both procedures work best when your weight is stable. If you still want to lose weight, it is best to do so beforehand. If your weight fluctuates considerably afterwards, the shape and firmness of your abdomen will change again.

A wish to have children also plays a role. With a new pregnancy, the skin and muscles are stretched again. That is why the doctor usually only recommends a tummy tuck once your family is complete.

At ACLINIC, the process takes place in four steps.

What recovery requires

After liposuction, most people can resume their daily activities after about a week. Alternate rest with light movement, such as walking. Swelling and bruising disappear gradually.

A tummy tuck requires more time. Count on three to four weeks of recovery, and for up to six weeks after the procedure you wear a compression garment. During the first few days you may walk slightly bent forward, because the abdominal skin has been tightened. Wait with heavy lifting and abdominal exercises until the doctor gives the green light.

With both procedures, the abdomen only takes on its definitive shape after about three months, although this differs from person to person.

Risks to be aware of

Every procedure involves risks. After liposculpture you may have swelling, bruising or a temporarily numb feeling, and small irregularities in the contour sometimes remain. With a tummy tuck, the risks of a larger wound are added: secondary bleeding, an infection, fluid under the skin or a wound that heals more slowly. Smoking considerably increases those risks.

The scar from a tummy tuck always remains visible. During the first year, however, it gradually becomes lighter and flatter.

Call us: 050 97 79 30

Gruuthuselaan 7, 8020 Oostkamp

This information is general in nature and does not replace a personal consultation.