Warnings About Abdominoplasty and Liposuction

Liv Hospital Ankara Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Gökay Baykara provided information about abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction (fat removal) procedures. Op. Dr. Gökay Baykara, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist, discussed the differences between tummy tuck and fat removal operations, explaining: "Abdominal aesthetics surgery is an operation in which excess fat and skin are removed, the abdominal wall muscles are strengthened, and the abdominal area is completely reshaped. Liposuction, on the other hand, is a procedure focused on eliminating localized fat deposits in different areas of the body. Both of these procedures are definitely not weight loss methods, but body contouring methods."

Fat removal is a surgical procedure

Op. Dr. Baykara, noting that only fats are removed with liposuction, while skin, fat and muscles are treated in tummy tuck, continued as follows: "As years pass, fat tends to accumulate much more around the navel than in other areas of the body, and it becomes increasingly difficult for us to get rid of it. While the superiority of the diet and exercise combination is undeniable, sometimes there are surgical procedures that can help us win this battle. Like tummy tuck surgery, liposuction is also one of the surgical interventions. Both are performed to achieve an improvement in the contours of our body."  

Differences, application method and reason

Op. Dr. Baykara, stating that the biggest differences between the two procedures are the way and reason for performing them: "With liposuction, only fats are removed, on the other hand, with tummy tuck, in addition to performing liposuction, excess skin is removed by tightening abdominal muscles that have become stretched, for example from pregnancy or excessive weight loss. For this reason, with liposuction only fats are actually treated, while in tummy tuck skin, fat and muscles are treated. The only fat we can remove with liposuction will be the fat accumulated under the skin, and we can never intervene with the fats around the abdomen and intestines. If we have fat in the abdominal cavity area, we will need to exercise and follow an appropriate diet protocol," he stated.  

The aim is to shape the body

Op. Dr. Baykara, emphasizing that abdominoplasty and liposuction procedures are not weight loss methods but body contouring methods, shared the following information: "Abdominal aesthetics surgery, known as abdominoplasty, is an operation in which excess fat and skin are removed, the abdominal wall muscles are strengthened, and the abdominal area is completely reshaped. Liposuction, on the other hand, is a procedure focused on eliminating localized fat deposits in different areas of the body. In the abdominoplasty procedure, through an incision made in the bikini line, the layer of loose abdominal muscles is tightened, and the operation is completed by removing excess abdominal skin and fat tissue. The result achieved is a flat and fit-looking abdomen without scars or sagging. Additionally, there is an operation we call mini tummy tuck. Although the procedure performed is similar, the incision scar and the area of intervention are more limited. The liposuction procedure is performed by inserting thin cannulas through micro-incisions into the area to be treated. These tubes, while respecting the rest of the surrounding tissues, are connected to a vacuum machine that sucks out unwanted fats. After the procedure, small incisions are sutured without leaving visible scars. It should not be forgotten that; both methods are definitely not weight loss methods, but body contouring methods."