Should You Get a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

Posted on by Dr. Golosow

Are you looking to remove stubborn fat or excess skin after weight loss? Liposuction or a tummy tuck can be a life-changing procedure that will put the finishing touches on your weight loss journey. While both methods can flatten and smooth the stomach area, they vary in results, recovery time, and technique. Here is everything you need to know about these two procedures so you can determine which is right for you.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

The tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes loose, sagging skin from the stomach and tightens the abdominal muscles to create a sculpted, toned shape. This procedure is best for patients who have recently undergone significant weight loss or women who have recently given birth. During pregnancy and birth, the abdominal muscles can stretch so a tummy tuck has the additional benefit of strengthening patients’ cores.

The procedure requires anesthesia and is usually performed under IV sedation in an outpatient setting. During this procedure, your surgeon will make an incision at the bottom of your abdomen, along the “bikini line,” which will expose your muscles and the underlying fat and tissue. Dr. Golosow will then remove fat and excess skin while placing internal sutures to tighten the muscles and create a smooth, contoured stomach.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures because it reduces bulges of stubborn fat in a targeted area, such as the abdomen, enhancing the body’s contour. During the liposuction procedure, small incisions are made in the treatment area once the area is numbed with local anesthetic or you are put to sleep with general anesthesia. A thin metal tube called a cannula is inserted under the skin into the fatty layer and fat cells are suctioned out with a vacuum-like device.

Differences Between Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Both procedures aim to slim down your stomach but one of the main differences is that a tummy tuck can tighten loose skin. Liposuction only removes excess fat. However, the methods and techniques used for each are different. When compared with liposuction, tummy tucks are more invasive since the procedure entails large incisions and tightening of the muscles. Hence, the procedure takes longer, is more complex, and has a longer recovery time of about 4-6 weeks.

However, if you want a less invasive procedure with a slightly shorter recovery time (about 2 weeks), then liposuction is a good option. You can have small pockets of fat removed from your stomach, hips, thighs, or buttock area so liposuction also has an aspect of versatility. Patients with mild skin laxity mainly concerned about stubborn fat may benefit most from liposuction. Both procedures offer permanent results as long you maintain a stable weight since added weight gain can cause fat cells in the surrounding area to grow or the tightened muscles to re-stretch.

Schedule a Consultation

Liposuction and tummy tucks are similar procedures considering that they both aim to improve the appearance of the stomach. However, there are a few main differences relating to patients’ goals that may impact your decision about which surgery to receive. To learn more and discuss your options with Dr. Golosow, call our office in Fort Myers or Cape Coral, FL, or fill out an online contact form to schedule a consultation.

Your Liposuction Recovery Guide

Posted on by Dr. Golosow

Liposuction is a sculpting procedure that can remove unwanted fat from stubborn areas on your body. If you are thinking about having this procedure done, you’ll to know what the recovery process is like to help you prepare for it. Well look no further, here is your liposuction recovery guide.

What to Expect After Liposuction

The First Few Days

It is common for patients to experience some discomfort and pain for the first two or three days after liposuction. Pain medication will be provided by your surgeon to help you feel as comfortable as possible. During these first few days, you should limit physical activities, wear a compression garment, and get plenty of rest.

Weeks Two and Three

You may notice that some pain and discomfort persists for the first two or three weeks. However, you should be able to return to work if the activities you perform are not too strenuous. You will need to care for the incision, make sure fluid can drain from it, and continue to wear the compression garment.

Week Five

The pain will subside from week two to five after surgery. The incisions should be healed by this time, but you may still have some swelling and bruising. It is likely that you will be able to start performing moderate exercise after week three. It is at this point when the results from liposuction will start to show.

Week Six

Bruising and swelling will usually be resolved after week six, and you will not need to wear your compression garment any longer. Most individuals can return to strenuous work activities and engage in high impact exercise.

Recovery Tips to Give You the Best Liposuction Results

Healthy Diet

Diet plays a huge role in ensuring a quick recovery after liposuction. Your diet should include essential vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants to help you regain your strength. In preparation for liposuction and during the recovery process, reduce your intake of salt, increase your intake of protein, and decrease your intake of sugar. You may want to consume smaller amounts of food to avoid bloating and nausea. Important foods to include in your diet after liposuction include grapefruit, strawberries, watermelon, zucchini, and celery.

Movement and Exercise

Be balanced when engaging in exercise after liposuction. Rest is important during the first 24 to 48 hours. After that time period, start engaging in light exercise, like going for a short walk. You want to keep your body moving while avoiding strenuous physical activities during the recovery process.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness during the recovery process is also important. You will need to change your bandage regularly to prevent infections. Follow your surgeon’s instructions on what to use to clean the incision during the first few weeks of recovery.

Wardrobe

Wear comfortable clothing during the recovery process. Clothing that is tight and uncomfortable can irritate your skin and slow your recovery.

Self Care

Soaking in a hot bath may sound relaxing during the recovery process, but it is not recommended. It can increase your risk of infection. Instead, get a lymphatic massage. This can minimize pain and discomfort and decrease recovery time.

Contact Us to Learn More

Liposuction can get rid of stubborn pockets of fat on your body and give you a more balanced figure. To learn more about this procedure, schedule a consultation with Lorraine Golosow, MD.

How to Get a Slim Waist

Posted on by Dr. Golosow

Achieving your ideal figure isn’t easy. When it comes to having a flat stomach, diet and exercise alone don’t always produce the results you want. This is often because of factors like weight gain and pregnancy which stretch the skin and underlying muscles. In this case, surgical options are often the best way to slim your waist. If you’re looking at your best options for a new figure, here’s what to know about body contouring options with Dr. Golosow.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a minimally-invasive procedure that concentrates on the removal of small areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. It’s commonly used in the abdominal region but can also be an effective way to contour the outlying areas like the hips and thighs. During the procedure, small incisions are made in the treatment area and a cannula is interested to break up and remove the excess fat. Once removed, the fat will no longer expand with weight gain so you can enjoy a slimmer, more contoured figure afterward.

Mini Tummy Tuck

The mini tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdominal region. It’s ideal for those who have mild to moderate skin stretching and laxity from things like pregnancy, aging, or weight loss. Many patients opt for the mini tummy tuck because the scar is much smaller than that of a full tummy tuck scar. A mini tummy tuck procedure can sometimes include minor tightening of the underlying muscles. Tightening the muscles helps increase abdominal strength as well as give the stomach a flatter, smoother look. A mini tummy tuck removes less skin than a full tummy tuck, so Dr. Golosow can discuss whether the mini tummy tuck can achieve the look you’re hoping for.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck is one of the most aggressive options since it can remove the largest amount of skin tissue. It also involves a much larger incision, as well as moving and replacing the belly button. Like the mini tummy tuck, there can also be a tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles to restore their function and flat appearance. A full tummy tuck is ideal for people who have a significant amount of loose skin and stretching in the abdomen. This is the most transformative option and can even come with medical benefits like reduced back pain and incontinence after pregnancy.

Schedule a Consultation

There are many different options for achieving your ideal figure through plastic surgery. To meet with Dr. Golosow and learn more about your options, we invite you to contact our Fort Myers area offices by calling or filling out our online form.