Tummy Tuck or Liposuction: Which is Right for Me?

Do you want a tighter abdomen but are unsure if you should choose a tummy tuck or liposuction? Read more to learn which one could be right for you.

If you want a slimmer and flatter-looking stomach, various cosmetic procedures could benefit you, including a tummy tuck and liposuction. These aesthetic processes can help tighten stubborn fat and boost your self-confidence, but how do you know which to choose?

At Ayewah Aesthetics in the Midtown area of Manhattan in New York City, board-certified cosmetic surgeon Martha Ayewah, DO, and the rest of our team offer these popular cosmetic surgeries.

In this blog, we discuss the differences between the two and give tips on deciding which is best for you and your aesthetic goals.

Who is a good candidate for these procedures?

Even though the goals of liposuction and tummy tucks are the same, the procedures are very different, and you might be a better candidate for one over the other. Let’s examine how each of these work:

Tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a surgery that flattens your abdomen by removing excess fat and skin while tightening your abdominal walls.

Tummy tucks are much more drastic than liposuction, suitable for women who have sagging skin and muscles due to multiple pregnancies and those who have lost significant amounts of weight and are still carrying loose skin in their abdomen.

Liposuction

Liposuction is more of a minor procedure and works to remove any excess fat around your abdomen. This cosmetic surgery removes small fat deposits around your abdomen; at the same time, it reduces bulging and adds contour.

You should only consider liposuction if you’re within 30% of your goal weight; it is not a weight-loss tool.

What to expect from these procedures

These cosmetic procedures require anesthesia and excellent precision from an experienced surgeon like Dr. Ayewah. However, here’s where they differ:

Tummy tuck

During a tummy tuck, you can go under general anesthesia to keep you comfortable and unconscious for the entirety of the surgery. Dr. Ayewah makes an incision on your abdominal wall to expose the muscles. Then she sews the loosened muscles together and tightens the skin.

The procedure takes 2-3 hours and won’t require an overnight hospital stay. After you’ve recovered, you can enjoy your permanently flat and stable abdomen.

Liposuction

Before getting started with liposuction, our team administers intravenous (IV) sedation and numbs the surgical area. Once your abdomen is adequately numb, Dr. Ayewah makes a few incisions where you have fat deposits. She then minimizes the excess fat with ultrasound energy and suctions it with a thin tube.

After you’ve recovered, you should see a flatter and more proportionate stomach area.

Request a consultation with Dr. Ayewah to learn more about these cosmetic procedures by calling the office or using our online booking feature today.