Many patients at my San Antonio plastic surgery practice are interested in having a slimmer waistline but are not sure which procedure will help them obtain their goals. Will a liposuction 360 procedure help or do they need a body contouring procedure such as an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)? There is no one right answer for every patient, I can help provide a recommendation for which procedure is best suited to your aesthetic goals during a consultation.
Contact my practice to schedule your body contouring consultation or call (210) 942-6672 today.
Your Body Contouring Consultation
During your body contouring consultation, I will talk with you about your aesthetic goals and needs and perform a full physical examination to assess your skin quality and body type to help determine whether or not a tummy tuck, liposuction, or both, are appropriate for you.
When making a body contouring assessment, I always have the patient stand in front of a mirror then mark their skin so that they can contribute to the assessment process and share their goals. This allows both you and I to see the area(s) that will be addressed during the procedure.
When performing a tummy tuck procedure, I make sure to mark my patients pre-operatively so that they can see in advance how low the scar is placed and how short or wide the scar will be so that we can obtain maximum skin tightness.
My goal is to work with you to determine the best treatment to help you look and feel your best.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to help shape the body by removing pockets of unwanted fat. It can be used in combination with body contouring procedures like tummy tuck or it can be performed by itself.
On its own, liposuction is best for patients with good quality skin. Good candidates for liposuction have minimal excess skin and good elasticity so that the skin can contract and tighten after liposuction.
To achieve optimal liposuction results, I recommend you are at your goal weight and have built lean muscle mass several months prior to your liposuction surgery.
I have found that the patients who are most satisfied with their liposuction results follow a positive lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, exercise program, and maintain a stable weight before and after surgery.
What Is Liposuction 360?
Liposuction 360 is circumferential liposuction of your midsection – this includes the front of your abdomen, flanks (sides), and your lower back (hips). Because the contour of your abdomen blends with the curves of your waistline and with the shape of your lower back, I consider liposuction 360 an appropriate approach to slimming the whole abdomen. Liposuction 360 is a comprehensive liposuction procedure designed to provide a narrower, sleeker waistline.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) includes the repair of a weakened abdominal wall (diastasis recti, AKA lower belly pooch), the creation of a new belly button, and removal of loose skin.
A tummy tuck is often the procedure of choice for patients that have experienced significant weight loss or have been pregnant and now have stretch marks, excess skin, and a weakened abdominal wall. For these patients, liposuction alone will remove the excess fat, but it will leave the skin of the abdomen, flanks and hips loose and saggy.
Combining Tummy Tuck with Liposuction
Every patient is different, and results vary, but my goal is to help you choose the best surgical option to help you meet your aesthetic goals.
If you simply have pockets of excess fat that you cannot remove with diet and exercise, liposuction may be the right procedure for you. For patients with excess fat around their midsection, on their abdomen, sides, and hips without excess skin or stretch marks, liposuction 360 is a more appropriate surgery.
If you have loose, sagging skin, stretch marks, and a belly pooch that you can’t control, then you may be a good candidate for a combination of liposuction 360 and tummy tuck to reshape your waistline and give you the flat stomach you want. For patients like this, liposuction alone is not enough, and a combination of procedures is more appropriate.
To learn more about body contouring in San Antonio, please contact my practice at (210) 942-6672 or request a consultation online. I will be happy to meet with you to assess you physically and discuss your goals to help determine the best treatment for you.
Leave a Reply