Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction - What's the difference?

What is the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck

Liposuction and a tummy tuck are both great ways to improve the aesthetics of the abdomen, leaving it looking flatter, fitter and tighter. But despite both treatments targeting this area, they are both very different, tackling different abdominal issues.

Date: 18th October 2021

Last reviewed: 22nd January 2024

How do I know which procedure is right for me?

Often patients come to Cadogan Clinic for a consultation, not entirely sure which surgery would suit them, but knowing the concerns they wish to address. Don’t be put off booking a consultation if you don’t know exactly what the right surgery is for you, your surgeon will be able to guide you in the right direction.

If you have loose skin, abdominal muscle damage or a hernia, caused by weight loss or pregnancy, but are less concerned about excess fat around your middle, the Abdominoplasty (or a variation of this procedure) is likely to be the right surgery for you. On the other hand, if you have small areas of stubborn excess fat around your tummy and are otherwise a healthy weight, Liposuction may be the more suited procedure for your concerns.

Recovery after Liposuction is shorter than after Abdominoplasty and you will be able to return to work and your normal activities sooner. This may impact your decisions on the exact procedure you choose and how you prepare. For example, due to the shorter Liposuction healing time you may choose to do this procedure separately at a time you are able to be off work for less long, than a Tummy Tuck. Having said this, the Liposuction healing process is still significant (bearing in mind it is a surgical procedure) so you must be able to follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions fully.

What is liposuction?

Cosmetic Surgery

Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove unwanted pockets of fat on the body and face.

Liposuction, commonly known as Lipo, is a quick and safe surgical procedure to remove unwanted or stubborn areas of body fat, creating a more contoured shape.

Liposuction uses vibrations or high pressure water jets to break up the fat cells, before a cannula is inserted into the treatment area. A vacuum machine is used to loosen and suck out the fat. The upper and lower parts of the abdomen can be treated individually if required. Lipo is a great way of removing stubborn fat between the tummy button and ribs and eliminating a ‘muffin top’ around the hips. Liposuction works best on patients who are a healthy weight with supple skin and tight abdominal muscles who are simply looking to remove excess fat that hasn’t responded to diet and exercise alone.

Although Liposuction works wonders at ridding the abdomen of fatty deposits (our liposuction before and after cases speak to this), the treatment does not treat issues with the stomach muscles or skin.

What is a tummy tuck?

Cosmetic Surgery

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, tightens excessive or loose skin on your tummy and torso.

A Tummy Tuck, also known as Abdominoplasty, is concerned with the removal of excess, sagging skin and the tightening of the abdominal muscles - rather than the removal of excess fat.

Surplus slack skin is a common complaint following significant weight loss. Excess fat causes the skin to stretch and when the fat is lost through diet or exercise, the skin is unable to shrink back to its original state. This problem gets worse as we age as our body’s collagen and elastin production slows right down, meaning the skin loses the elasticity of youth, leading to wrinkles and sagging. In older people, even a small amount of weight loss can leave behind excess skin around the abdomen.

Tummy tuck surgery is particularly popular with women who have been through pregnancy and had C-sections, which commonly result in excess skin and weakened stomach muscles. Abdominoplasty effectively tightens tummy muscles and is an effective treatment for diastasis recti, the separation of the stomach muscles which occurs during pregnancy. Sometimes a tummy tuck can help with the appearance of stretch marks, as these are often removed along with the excess skin.

Can lipo and a tummy tuck be combined?

Liposuction can be carried out alongside a tummy tuck if appropriate in a procedure known as Brazilian Abdominoplasty or Lipo-Abdominoplasty. Your surgeon will be able to advise whether you are a suitable candidate for this surgery.

Both of these treatments can also be combined with other surgical procedures. Liposuction on the stomach can be carried out alongside Lipo on other parts of the body. A Tummy Tuck is an important component of a Mummy Makeover, which also includes breast uplift surgery and vaginal rejuvenation, and acts to restore a woman’s body to its pre-childbirth state.

Although Lipo and Abdominoplasty are common cosmetic treatments for women, they can also be performed on men.

A Tummy Tuck can be completed in one procedure, whereas sometimes it can take several sessions of liposuction in order to achieve the desired results. Both treatments, like any other surgical procedure, come with the potential for complications. Abdominoplasty carries more complication risks than other cosmetic surgeries. Your surgeon would discuss any potential risks with you at your initial consultation.

Are liposuction and tummy tuck results permanent?

Abdominoplasty and Liposuction produce permanent results, but you must ensure you adhere to a healthy lifestyle in order to enjoy the full results of your surgery for many years to come.

Once you have recovered enough from your Tummy Tuck, it is important to focus on exercises that target the core muscles to strengthen your abdomen. This can include stretches, knee rolls and pelvic floor exercises. Daily aerobic exercises which stretch the whole body, such as brisk walking, jogging or cycling, will also help.

Post Lipo recovery is similar, and your surgeon will also ask you to maintain a healthy diet and avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking. You will be given detailed post Liposuction care instructions to follow to ensure you get the best surgical results and healing from your Liposuction.

If you gain a large amount of weight after your procedure, this will compromise the results of your Liposuction or Tummy Tuck surgery. Your surgeon will ask you to reach a healthy and stable weight before your surgery to ensure the best results.

Tummy Tucks and Liposuction are not a means of weight loss and should only be performed on people who are already a healthy weight. Women who are planning on having more children should wait until their family is completed before undergoing Abdominoplasty. This is because another pregnancy will stretch the skin and abdominal muscles again, therefore undoing any benefits from a previous tummy tuck.

What techniques are used in lipo and abdominoplasty?

Here at the Cadogan Clinic, we use different Abdominoplasty and Liposuction techniques depending on the size and shape of your body and what you hope to achieve through the surgery.

In terms of Tummy Tuck surgery, we offer the following here at the clinic: Brazilian Abdominoplasty, Mini Tummy Tuck, the Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty, an Apronectomy, the Extended Abdominal Reduction, the Body Lift and Endoscopic Tummy Tuck.

We use the following Liposuction methods at Cadogan Clinic: Traditional Liposuction, Microliposuction, Smart Liposuction or laser-assisted Liposuction, Power Assisted Liposuction, Vaser and Water Liposuction.

Book an appointment with one of our expert surgeons here at the Cadogan Clinic and find out how we can help you reach your body goals.

Treatments mentioned in this article

Body Surgery

Extended Tummy Tuck

An Extended Tummy Tuck goes beyond the standard Tummy Tuck to remove fat from the abdominal region and the flanks.

Body Surgery

360 Liposuction

360 Liposuction is a surgical body contouring procedure that uses Liposuction to remove excess fat from the circumference of the torso.

Body Surgery

Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove unwanted pockets of fat on the body and face.

Body Surgery