Tummy Liposuction Vs Tummy Tuck
Before liposuction was introduced in the medical arena, the tummy tuck was the way to go. Because of its high cost, it was not available to most people. People were also hesitant to try it because of its high risk, given that it requires general anesthesia to perform.
When is a tummy tuck better than liposuction?
For patients who have inelastic skin (mostly occurring right after pregnancy) or have excess skin around the abdominal area, tummy tucks are more appropriate than liposuction. A tummy tuck will help reduce the amount of excess skin and this prevents skin problems such as sagging and dimpling. As a result, not only will stubborn fat be removed but the skin on the target area will be significantly tighter. Performing liposuction on patients with highly inelastic skin may yield less than desirable results.
Between liposuction and tummy tuck, which one is safer?
Liposuction is by far safer than tummy tucks. It is not, however, 100% risk-free as all forms of surgery entail a certain amount of risk. Tumescent liposuction eliminates the need for general anesthesia in most cases. This allows patients to enjoy shorter post-operative recovery periods.
On the other hand, because of the greater scale at which tummy tucks are performed, general anesthesia is required. Because of this, patients can expect very long recovery periods. Because patients are put under, there are more risks involved.
Which one costs more?
Tummy tucks, because they are more complex medical procedures than liposuction, tend to be more expensive. This is also because general anesthesia needs to be performed and greater skill is required on the part of the surgeon.
Liposuction, on average, costs between $2,500 and $4,000, depending on various factors. These factors include the location of the clinic, how good the surgeon is, how many surgeries the patient has undergone in the last 6 months, the complexity of the procedure and the amount of fat to be removed.
When deciding between liposuction tummy tuck, it’s best to consult a qualified surgeon first. For some patients, tummy tucks can yield better results than regular liposuction. This is true for patients who have just undergone pregnancy. Also, the surgeon can inform you whether you qualify for cosmetic surgery or not (depending on your current medical condition). It’s important to note that whether it’s tummy tuck liposuction or any other form of cosmetic surgery, there will still be risks involved.
