Liposuction or a Tummy Tuck: Which is the Best Belly Flattener for Me?

If you wish your midsection was slimmer, tighter, and firmer, you’re not alone. Many adults find it difficult to keep their abdomen as trim and toned as they’d like as the years go by.

While no amount of diet and exercise can melt away persistent belly flab, get rid of excess skin, or help you erase stretch marks, there is a way to get the firm, flat midsection you’re after. 

At Best Plastic Surgery Practice in Lawndale, California, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon John Walker, MD, has delivered countless patients taut tummies through liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, or both. 

Understanding how these popular surgical solutions address common midsection problems can help determine which procedure is best for you. Here’s what you should know.

Define your midsection problem

Midsection fat can be notoriously stubborn and hard to tackle, especially when postpartum body changes, shifting hormones, and age-related muscle loss accelerate and even compound the so-called “middle-age spread.”

Your midsection can undergo dramatic life changes, mainly if you’ve ever been pregnant or experienced a significant weight loss. 

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your abdomen expands quickly to accommodate your growing baby. On top of testing the limits of your skin’s elasticity, this extreme midsection spread can separate your abdominal wall and leave you with a weaker core. 

Weight loss

When you lose a considerable amount of weight — whether it’s post-baby weight or the extra pounds you’ve carried around for years — you may be left with loose, flabby skin or unsightly stretch marks that detract from your slimmer, trimmer profile. 

Aging

Even if you’ve always maintained a healthy body weight, simply getting older can make your midsection look looser and flabbier than it once was. Age-related hormonal changes can lead to reduced muscle tone and lower levels of collagen and elastin, the main proteins that give your skin its strength and structure. 

Restore a tighter abdomen

Tummy tuck surgery, also called abdominoplasty, is a straightforward cosmetic procedure designed to restore a smooth, firm midsection profile. We achieve that by trimming away excess skin, eliminating stretch marks, removing small pockets of persistent fat, and restoring a separated abdominal wall when necessary. 

A tummy tuck is an ideal solution for anyone with a small amount of persistent belly fat, excess abdominal skin, and/or unwanted stretch marks. The end result? A firmer and more toned midsection with tighter, smooth skin.

Get rid of persistent fat 

Liposuction may be the best solution for you if you’ve worked hard to reach your target body weight only to be plagued by stubborn pockets of diet- and exercise-resistant tummy fat.

Unlike a tummy tuck, liposuction doesn’t target loose skin or stretch marks. It simply takes care of persistent areas of fat that are hiding the body shape you’ve worked so hard to attain or maintain. 

Liposuction uses small, discreet incisions and a slender cannula to extract excess belly fat and gently shape your midsection. Liposuction may be all it takes to restore a slimmer, trimmer abdominal profile if you don't have loose skin or stretch marks.

Take a comprehensive approach

Depending on the current status of your midsection and your personal aesthetic goals, Dr. Walker may advise you to have a tummy tuck, liposuction, or a combined procedure that includes both. 

It can be challenging to predict how your skin will resettle after liposuction. It may contract to fit your thinner profile, or it may remain somewhat lax. If your skin has a low degree of elasticity, Dr. Walker may recommend liposuction and a minor tummy tuck to ensure optimal results. 

Likewise, Dr. Walker may recommend a tummy tuck with targeted liposuction if your primary concerns are loose skin, stretch marks, and abdominal separation. Still, you also have areas of unwanted fat.

If you’re ready to unveil your best midsection, Dr. Walker can help. Book a consultation today. Call the office at (424) 675-4965 or request an online appointment.