Tummy Tuck or Liposuction: Which Lubbock Plastic Surgery is Right for You?

For women ready to rediscover the body they had before aging and having children, there are several different plastic surgery procedures to address stubborn pockets of fat, loose belly skin, and other concerns. When it comes to Lubbock plastic surgery, you may have heard a lot of terms–tummy tuck, liposuction, breast lift, etc.–but how much do you know about what these really mean? Below we’ll explain some of the common procedures, what they are for, and how you might combine them to get the results you want.

What Can a Tummy Tuck Do?

A tummy tuck, “also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and, in most cases, restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.” As a result of pregnancy, in addition to the stretched skin on the abdomen, women may also experience diastasis, a laxity of abdominal muscles. The looseness of skin and laxity of muscle isn’t something that responds to diet or exercise–they are structural issues that require the surgical solution of a tummy tuck.

Because a tummy tuck is geared toward tightening up loose muscle and skin, it’s not a weight-loss procedure like liposuction (more on that below). But, like weight-loss techniques, it can result in more contoured appearance and slimmer silhouette. This is especially so when combined with some other procedures, such as liposuction or breast enhancements. This combination of procedures is commonly referred to as a mommy makeover. Plastic surgery options done in tandem can give any patient dramatic changes in appearance.

As with any medical decision, whether to get a tummy tuck is a serious question. Dr. Jane Rowley has said about tummy tucks,

“This is actually a more significant procedure than most people understand. The media often portrays this as a ‘skin surgery,’ but this is a surgery that actually involves the entire core of your body, with tightening of the abdominal muscles and tightening of the skin. The results can be exceptional on the right patient. Although weight loss might not be significant with this procedure, contouring and tightening of the abdominal wall is significant.”

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes your excess fat in a targeted area. It’s a Lubbock plastic surgery option that can give you a second chance to remove stubborn fat in different areas of your body that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise. Typically the best areas for the procedure are outer thighs, hips, and under the chin (submental area). Different procedures are available for liposuction, but they operate on the same basic principle: A small incision is made. A small tube is used to suction out the fat. If you are having the procedure done on a small area, then local anesthetic is needed. If you are choosing to have the procedure on different areas, you may need general anesthetics.

Liposuction has long been a popular plastic surgery choice. Getting rid of unwanted fat can give you greater confidence in your physical appearance. New studies are even suggesting that getting rid of that fat can have some heart-healthy bonuses as well as the cosmetic benefits. Liposuction is not, however, a procedure for general weight loss. A patient should be a stable weight but with stubborn fat that won’t go away through other efforts. Patients need to be in good health and quit smoking before the surgery and during recovery.

Combine Procedures in a Mommy Makeover

If you are not just concerned about loose belly skin or stubborn areas of fat, you may want to consider how a tummy tuck or liposuction can be combined with other procedures for a more striking effect. Common procedures combined with abdominal procedures include:

• Breast Augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty). Women seeking a breast augmentation can adjust the size and shape of their breasts. The breasts will be fuller and more symmetric.
• Breast Lift (mastopexy). A breast lift can assist Lubbock patients by removing excess breast skin and adjusting breasts into a more youthful position. The nipple is also moved to a more upward position. A breast lift won’t change the size of your breast.
• Simultaneous Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift (augmentation mastopexy). Combining these two procedures leads to shapely, larger, more youthful looking breasts. On the right patient they can give dramatic results to your figure.

How to Get the Most out of Lubbock Plastic Surgery

As with any plastic surgery, patients need to have realistic expectations about their results. The key to this is having thorough consultations with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Patients that are informed about their surgery tend to heal better and have more satisfying outcomes with their surgery. So, to ensure you are educated, don’t hesitate to ask questions like:

• How is the procedure performed?
• What are the risks of this surgery?
• What can I expect during recovery?
• Will the results be permanent?
• Will I need to have additional procedures down the road?

Women can work with their board-certified surgeon to tailor the combination of procedures that meet their unique needs. For the best outcomes available, contact the leading surgeon in Lubbock plastic surgery,  Dr. Jane Rowley. Dr. Rowley is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over twenty years experience with these procedures. You can have confidence in Dr. Rowley’s ability to help you achieve your cosmetic goals. Call today to schedule your no-obligation consultation.