Many people would like to have flat tummies. For most, fat directly beneath the skin (called adipose tissue) is the cause of the protuberant belly and can be treated using liposuction. This is the layer of fat that one can pinch. Beneath this layer of fat are the rectus muscles (the muscles of the abdomen), and directly behind it are the intestines with another layer of fat called omentum (pronounced Oh-men- tum). Liposuction alone does not remove this deeper layer of fat, the omentum, nor does it tighten the muscular layer. For some, the muscles in the abdomen weaken and push out the belly. This cannot be treated by liposuction alone.
What is the tummy-tuck?
The tummy-tuck tightens the rectus muscles (the muscles of the abdomen) and removes excess skin. This is done through a long incision (cut) along the frontal waistline which can be over one foot long. There are several methods of tummy-tuck. Some surgeons put sutures (stitches) to tighten the muscle layer, while others cut out the loose muscle. This latter method is considered "major abdominal surgery" which usually requires at least an overnight hospital stay and considerable recovery time. The tummy-tuck has often been done at the same time as liposuction, although is believed by some surgeons to be less safe than either alone.
What is the mini-tummy-tuck?
The mini-tummy-tuck does not remove any muscle. Excess skin is removed (by cutting and stitching) and loose muscle is occasionally tightened using sutures (stitches). The recovery from the mini-tummy-tuck is considerably less that the traditional tummy-tuck, although more than liposuction alone.
Will there be extra skin after liposuction?
Liposuction removes unwanted fat from beneath the skin. This results in excess (too much) skin for what will then be a smaller body. In order to be tight and smooth after liposuction, the skin must contract (shrink) to fit the now smaller body. The elasticity (ability to shrink) differs from person to another. Younger persons typically have better elasticity than older persons. Persons with stretch marks typically have significantly less elasticity than those without (in the area in which there are stretch marks). In many cases, the surgeon can predict how one will do after surgery.
