Options For Body Contouring
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a safe and efficient surgery aimed at removing areas of fat. This procedure allows your surgeon to target and sculpt stubborn bulges of unwanted fatty tissue that have not responded to diet and exercise. This procedure, when performed alone, is ideal for patients who wish to streamline and contour their shape and who still have good skin elasticity. Liposuction removes the fat from under the skin but does not address loose or sagging skin.
What Is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a common cosmetic surgical procedure that targets excess skin and tissue and repairs damaged or weakened abdominal muscles to deliver a sculpted, tighter waistline. A tummy tuck is ideal for patients who are unsatisfied with sagging, loose skin after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or due to aging.
Combined Benefits With Lipoabdominoplasty
Many plastic surgeons offer patients the option to combine liposuction and abdominoplasty to get the best benefits of each in one comprehensive surgical procedure. This technique is known as lipoabdominoplasty. During this procedure, your plastic surgeon will first eliminate excess fat from the abdomen through several tiny incisions using a small tube to aspirate the unwanted pockets of fat. After liposuction, your surgeon will perform the tummy tuck portion by making one or two incisions to repair the underlying abdominal muscle structure, remove excess tissues, and reposition the skin for a firm, taut abdomen.
There are several benefits to combining these two common cosmetic procedures:
Reduced Surgical Risk: The techniques used during lipoabdominoplasty include the administration of epinephrine which can reduce blood loss. Some surgeons will also opt for a modified general anaesthesia which can reduce the risk of postoperative blood clots.
Reduced Recovery Process: When you combine liposuction and abdominoplasty you require only one anaesthetic and one recovery. Abdominoplasty typically requires two weeks of intense recovery and up to two months of healing. Liposuction recovery typically lasts 5-14 days. By overlapping the recovery time of these procedures, patients can return to regular activity after one complete healing process. When patients opt to complete liposuction and abdominoplasty separately, there is a minimum waiting period of at least six months between surgeries.
Better Results: Often patients who are seeking to sculpt and refine their midsection after pregnancy, weight loss, or due to genetics or aging want to address both excess skin and stubborn pockets of fat. Liposuction and abdominoplasty are complementary, allowing your plastic surgeon to achieve superior results. The abdominoplasty will tighten the abdominal structure of the midsection and remove excess, sagging skin, and liposuction can be used to finely sculpt and contour the belly.
More Cost Effective: Because a portion of the costs associated with plastic surgery such as anaesthesia, administrative fees, and time spent in the facility overlap, there are cost savings to combine liposuction with a tummy tuck
Achieve Optimal Results With A Combine Liposuction/ Abdominoplasty Procedure
Abdominoplasty and liposuction are both fantastic cosmetic procedures to address your midsection. Each offers benefits to sculpt and streamline a less-than-perfect belly. By combining these benefits through lipoabdominoplasty, your surgeon can offer the dramatic results of a tummy tuck and the fine, targeted sculpting of liposuction. If you are interested in exploring your options for body contouring including liposuction, abdominoplasty, or the combined procedure, lipoabdominoplasty, book your complimentary consultation today.
Dr. Adil Ladak is a board-certified and top surgeon in Edmonton, Alberta, and is highly skilled in cosmetic plastic surgery and other non-surgical rejuvenating cosmetic procedures. Dr. Ladak is a fully qualified Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons and his team is committed to providing patients with the facts and education to make the most informed decisions about their appearance and health. To explore all of your options to help you feel and look your best, visit Alberta Plastic Surgery in Edmonton by booking your complimentary consultation. Call us at 1-780-407-6691 or fill out the form below.
FAQ
Q: How many scars will I have after combining liposuction and abdominoplasty?
A: Liposuction will require several very small incisions to insert the cannula used for suctioning. These incisions are often only 1-3mm and your surgeon will be careful to place the incisions where they are mostly undetectable. For abdominoplasty, your surgeon will make an incision horizontally just above your pubic line to remove unwanted fat and skin and repair abdominal muscles. This incision will be closed with sutures and will require some special care. Follow your doctor’s post-surgical instructions to facilitate healing and minimize scarring. Once healed, your abdominoplasty scar will be easily hidden by your underwear or bathing suit.
Q: How much weight should I lose before lipoabdominoplasty?
A: It is ideal to be within 10 pounds of your desired goal weight and to maintain a stable weight for at least 6 months to achieve optimal results from a lipoabdominoplasty procedure.
Q: How long is recovery after liposuction and abdominoplasty?
A: The recovery periods typical for liposuction and abdominoplasty will overlap when you combine these procedures. You should anticipate that the first two weeks after surgery will be a fairly serious period of recovery. After two weeks most patients will feel much better and ready to resume normal, but modified activity. You should be mostly recovered after 6-8 weeks.
