For many people, the battle of the bulge is one that is fought on an almost constant basis. There is no amount of sit-ups, crunches or other abdominal exercises that will remedy the issue of extra abdominal weight in many people. For some, there is an excess amount of skin that sags, unattractively, after losing a significant amount of weight. For other people, they are genetically proportioned in a way that causes excess fat accumulation in their abdominal area, and even when they are at an ideal weight, they still carry more fat in the abdominal area than in other areas.
There are two commonly performed procedures that can improve the appearance of the abdominal area: tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and liposuction. Liposuction is a procedure where fat is suctioned out of the body using special instruments in a surgical procedure. It can redefine body proportions and provide very satisfying results to people who cannot achieve the look they want through diet and exercise alone. A tummy tuck will create a firm abdominal area by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall for a firmer look.
Some people can benefit from having both procedures done at the same time. If they have already lost some weight and have some sagging skin issues to deal with a tummy tuck can help correct that problem. They can achieve better proportion by having some more fat removed by liposuction and then having the tummy-tuck to tighten the abdominal area. A consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will help determine if you are a good candidate for this combination of procedures, or if a tummy tuck or liposuction alone can achieve your desired results.
According to a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), patients who undergo cosmetic liposuction and/or tummy tuck procedures report significant improvements in self-esteem and quality of life. The study also revealed that the outcome is especially good with a liposuction and tummy tuck combination procedure, although it includes somewhat higher pain scores and longer recovery times.