Men and women across the country can agree that the abdominal area can be one of the most frustrating places to lose excess pounds and keep the weight off. The aging process makes it difficult to do because of changes in metabolism, which also means diet and exercise isn’t always the answer to getting rid of unwanted fat. Sometimes, an additional option is necessary, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck.
While someone who’s unfamiliar with either procedure may consider them to be one in the same, liposuction and tummy tucks are not interchangeable terms. Both are performed by plastic surgeons and are designed to help you make your stomach flatter and tighter, but there are still key differences between the two.
Let’s take a closer look at the difference between both fat-reducing cosmetic treatments:
Liposuction
According to Healthline, liposuction is the ideal solution for someone who is looking to remove fatty deposits in troubled areas like the hips, thighs, buttocks and stomach. It’s designed to remove the fat from these areas and improve the contour in the body. While liposuction is an effective option for losing weight, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons stressed that it’s not a cure for obesity, nor is it a healthy substitute for following a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
A good candidate for liposuction is an adult who’s within 30 percent of his or her ideal weight and has elastic skin. This individual must be a non-smoker and live without any life-threatening illnesses or medical conditions.
On average, the cost of liposuction is approximately $3,374, based on 2017 statistics from the ASPS.
On average, a tummy tuck is more expensive than liposuction.Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty, also known as the tummy tuck, is a procedure used to eliminate excess fat from the abdomen followed by removing excess skin that would likely sag after getting rid of the fat. As such, this is a more invasive procedure than liposuction. This option is ideal for women after pregnancy, or anyone who has lost significant weight and is now living with stretchy, excess skin in the abdomen. Created to restore the look of the stomach and contour the areas around the midsection, this treatment should only be considered if you don’t plan on making any further changes to your body, such as losing weight on your own or getting pregnant again in the future.
Someone who makes a good candidate for abdominoplasty is in good physical health, at a stable weight, is a non-smoker and has realistic expectations of the results.
On average, the cost of a tummy tuck is near $6,000 according to the ASPS. This is nearly double the median price of liposuction, which may be the deciding factor for someone torn between the two options. Because both options are cosmetic, most health insurance plans will not cover liposuction or tummy tucks.
Visit Maryland Plastic Surgery
No matter which procedure caters more to your wants and needs, the surgeons at Maryland Plastic Surgery can provide liposuction or a tummy tuck surgery. If you’re looking for a flatter stomach and trimmer waistline or reduction in the love handles or double chin, we can properly recommend one of these options based on a personalized consultation.
If you’re ready to start living in your most confident body yet, contact Maryland Plastic Surgery directly today.
