When it comes to aesthetic treatments to have a flat stomach, we find two resources: liposuction and abdominoplasty . What are the differences between liposuction and tummy tuck? Which is better and why? In our article today we will reveal the keys to both procedures, their characteristics and which one you should choose according to your needs.
Main differences between liposuction and tummy tuck
Liposuction, a procedure with a history
Liposuction is a procedure that dates back to the end of the 20th century, specifically 1974. The technique was invented by Giorgio Fischer, an Italian gynecologist; The first to use it, however, was the French Gerard Yves Illouz in 1977. What the French surgeon did was insert a cannula (adapted to an aspirator) under the skin using reciprocating movements that produced the detachment of fat from the body to be sucked.
More than 4 decades have passed since the first liposuction and its techniques have been modified throughout these years. For example, 8 years after Illouz’s surgery, dermatologist Jeffrey Klein invented wet liposuction. We already know that medicine is constantly evolving and aesthetic treatments are no less.
At first, liposuction was a full-blown surgery in which general anesthesia was applied; in addition, large cannulas were used and the aim was to remove the deeper fatty tissue. As a result, liposuction was riskier and complications were easier. Thanks to the improvement of the technique in these more than 40 years, today liposuction is practiced safely with local anesthesia and with smaller cannulas.
What is liposuction?
Liposuction is an aesthetic surgical procedure through which fat or adipose tissue is removed to shape the figure. As we already anticipated, the fat is extracted using a cannula or syringe with one end connected to a suction machine. To make the procedure less invasive and aggressive, ultrasounds and lasers can be used to help dissolve the fat to make removal easier.
It is often mistakenly believed that liposuction is a cure for obesity, but in reality it is a simple cosmetic treatment. Its main objective is to remove accumulated fat from the abdomen, hips and thighs, and can spread to the arms, knees and even the face. Removing fat does not make it a method to control obesity, although it does help reduce weight (to a lesser extent), shape the body and even eliminate cellulite. With liposuction, what is considerably reduced is the volume and, on occasions, a liposculpture can be practiced. Liposculpture consists of introducing the extracted fat in other areas of the body to give volume and shape.
Liposuction procedure
The cannula that is inserted into the body goes through the area from which the fat is to be extracted and a liquid solution is injected. The liquid contains anesthesia, a substance that constricts the blood vessels, as well as a saline solution to loosen the fat and dissolve it. The fat that dissolves thanks to the saline solution, becomes a viscous liquid that is subsequently aspirated through the cannula.
The procedure lasts between one and three hours, depending on the technique and the amount of fat to be extracted. Recovery is usually quite fast, but must be strictly adhered to. Also, not all people are candidates for liposuction: it is essential to be healthy.
Abdominoplasty: the predecessor of liposuction
If you thought that liposuction was the mother of cosmetic surgery techniques, you are wrong. Before liposuction was invented in the 1970s, fat was removed by tummy tuck. It has its origin in the ancient procedures to solve functional problems of the abdomen, but the aesthetic use of them began to become popular at the end of the 19th century. Before they did dermolipectomies: the results were good … but they removed the navel!
At the dawn of the 20th century, abdominal excision techniques began to be introduced to remove fat. Abdominoplasty as we know it today was perfected by the Brazilian Pitanguy and the Mexican González Ulloa who did not focus only on the abdomen but on the lateral area.
What are the differences between liposuction and tummy tuck?
Both techniques seek to eliminate fat and shape the body, but the abdominoplasty seeks something more. It consists of eliminating excess skin (in addition to fat) and rebuilding the muscles of the abdomen. Among its main objectives we find obtaining a flat and firm abdomen; the reconstruction of the abdominal area and the elimination of fat from this area of the body, in addition to the tightening of the abdominal muscles.
On the other hand, it manages to narrow the waist and eliminate excess skin that cannot be reduced with diet or exercise. Another important fact is that the abdominoplasty is limited only to the part of the abdomen, as its name suggests. Liposuction, meanwhile, can be applied to different parts of the body.
Another difference between liposuction and abdominoplasty is that the latter is performed in a period of between 2 and 4 hours and is not ambulatory. At least 2 days of admission to the hospital are required. As for anesthesia, it is not local like liposuction, but is general or epidural plus sedation.
Procedure
Undoubtedly, one of the main differences between liposuction and abdominoplasty is that an incision is made on the pubis in abdominoplasty. From here, excess fat and skin are removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened, and they are joined in the mid-abdomen. No more sagging! The navel is then sutured and “reestablished”.
The recovery period is at least 2 weeks and can last up to 2 months; During this time it is recommended to walk, wear a girdle for a month (after removing the stitches). Abdominoplasty is recommended for women who have flaccidity in the abdomen, especially those who have been mothers.
