Both liposuction and tummy tuck can make your mid-section appear flatter, slimmer, and tighter. The key to determining which is the best option for you is the amount of loose skin as well as the type of results you are wanting. Liposuction is used to remove fat in localized areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. The best results are seen in those with good skin elasticity; i.e., young people who have not had significant weight changes or pregnancies. For those who have less elastic skin (ie, older, fluctuations in weight, multiple pregnancies), liposuction is still an option provided they have appropriate expectations regarding the loose skin that is left behind. Liposuction will require 4-6 small incisions, each less than ½ inch long, with a 3-5 day recovery period.
In contrast, a tummy tuck removes excess skin, excess fat, and tightens the vertical abdominal muscles (when needed). Pregnancy and weight changes can stretch out the skin, leading to excess, loose hanging skin. This requires skin excision to achieve a smooth contour. These life events can also lead to weakening of the vertical abdominal muscles (called diastasis) which can be tightened at the time of tummy tuck to create a flatter profile.
Since tummy tuck includes skin excision, it necessarily results in a scar. The scar is usually placed low, just above the pubis, but can extend from hip to hip depending on the amount of loose skin. There may also be a scar around the belly button as part of the procedure. The contour changes seen with a tummy tuck are more drastic than those from liposuction alone, but the scar burden is also more significant. Tummy tucks also require significantly longer recovery times compared to liposuction alone, 10-14 days off work and additional activity restrictions for 6 weeks.
Neither of these procedures should be considered a weight loss procedure.
Dr. Won, Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon
During your free consultation with Dr. Won, she will go over with you what will be required to get the desired results that you are looking for and advise you what to expect during the recovery process.
Dr. Won is passionate about creating personalized care for each of her patients. She strives to understand your vision and goals for your body, and offers her services and guidance to achieve exactly what you are looking for. She believes that self-confidence is one of the key foundations for living your best life and offers high-quality care, both in surgery and during the recovery process to achieve the best results possible.
It’s natural to be a little anxious before undergoing any type of procedure, however Dr. Won can answer all of your questions and give you an idea of what to expect in order to put your mind at ease. You will be able to realize immediate results after your surgery and your confidence will certainly be boosted, so we hope you are as excited as we are to see the new and improved you!
Dr. Won is an experienced, Board-Certified surgeon. She is also a Fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon through the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, having completed hundreds of procedures. Her experience and passion for what she does ensures that you can feel confident by choosing her for your cosmetic surgery needs.
Are you a Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. If you are in the process of losing weight, it is best to wait until you have reached your goal weight before undergoing any kind of cosmetic procedure. Additionally, if you are still planning on having children, it is best to wait until you have had your child and recovered from the pregnancy. The reason for this is because weight fluctuations can affect the long-lasting benefits that are gained from having cosmetic surgery. Additionally, if you are currently a smoker, you will need to stop completely prior to undergoing any type of procedures since smoking can affect both the healing process and the results gained from a procedure. Also, it is important that you have a positive attitude and a realistic outlook about what surgery can do for you. An unhealthy lifestyle and poor overall health and fitness can wreak havoc on your appearance.
Dr. Won is Now Offering Free “Virtual” Consultations
The safety of our patients is of utmost importance. To limit your exposure and keep you safe, Dr. Won is now offering her Free Consultation appointment via Telemedicine! In your Consultation, Dr. Won will provide you with all of the information that you need about your options and what procedures would be best for what you want to accomplish. She’ll explain exactly what is involved and give you a price quote.
Dr. Won is still available for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be able to see her, face to face, through your computer or tablet, and receive her expertise, get your questions answered, and learn more about any procedure that you may be interested in having!
Your appointment will occur real time, as if you were face to face, with no health risk whatsoever to you. We look forward to meeting you!
We also have an insurance coordinator for those wishing to look into insurance coverage for procedures that qualify.
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