If you have some stubborn flab that you can’t get rid of with diet and exercise, you might be considering body contouring options. There are actually a lot of different treatments and procedures that can be used for body shaping, but the most traditional are the liposuction and the tummy tuck. Here is what the two procedures are, how they work, and when each is appropriate.

What is liposuction?

For liposuction, small incisions are made in the target area, and a small cannula is inserted. The plastic surgeon then uses the cannula to break up fat cells and suck them out with an attached vacuum. The fat that is removed can be used for augmentation elsewhere in the body, or simply be disposed of. Liposuction doesn’t have a long recovery, but it also doesn’t remove any excess skin or flab. It only removes the fat.

What is a tummy tuck?

If you need to rid yourself of excess skin and tissue in addition to stubborn pockets of fat, you’re better off getting a tummy tuck. In this surgical procedure the plastic surgeon will make a large incision to remove the skin, fat, and tissue, and then close the wound, making the area smaller and more taut. A tummy tuck has a pretty long recovery period, and there is more opportunity for scarring.

Which is best?

If you only have some stubborn fat pockets that need to be addressed, you can usually tone the skin around the area of fat removal with regular exercise. But if you need actual flab removed instead of just fat, a tummy tuck is the way to go. Still unsure? Contact us today for a free consultation.