Liposuction in the Tummy

The tummy is probably the most common area of the body treated by liposuction, which is a cosmetic surgery that removes the unwanted fats, thereby leading to improved figure.  Meanwhile, patients should always remember that its success is affected by certain factors including history of weight gain and loss, amount and location of abdominal fats, age, and gender.

And for women, previous pregnancies may also affect the final outcome of liposuction surgery.

During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles are being stretched especially in the lower area, thereby bulges are quite common after childbirth.  Fortunately, a vast majority of women can benefit from liposuction alone to improve the appearance of their abdomen without needing tummy tuck which involves longer incision.

The good thing about liposuction is that the risk of visible scarring is almost not a concern since it requires small round incisions that measure 1-2mm in diameter.

The location and amount of abdominal fats also determines the success of liposuction.  Patients should always bear in mind that the procedure only targets the superficial fats underneath the skin, and it cannot remove the deeper fats that only respond to proper weight loss.  This means that significant improvements can only be achieved by people who have more subcutaneous fat but less intestinal fats.   

Meanwhile, history of weight gain and loss can have a significant impact on how liposuction is performed.  Plastic surgeons have found out that previously obese patients have a very fibrous fat that is more difficult to remove than fatty tissue found in people who have always maintained a normal, stable weight.

Another consideration to make is that the upper abdomen may appear slightly wrinkled after liposuction surgery, particularly when dealing with older patients who have a less elastic skin than younger individuals.  Bu interestingly, the lower abdomen is not susceptible to the crepe appearance after fat removal.

A successful liposuction is determined by the degree of a patient’s satisfaction with the results.  With this consideration, good plastic surgeons filter out those people with unrealistic expectations and goals.

Nowadays, liposuction patients can enjoy quicker recovery compared to previous years; in fact most can return to normal activities (excluding strenuous exercises) three days after the procedure.  And in terms of pain, it is quite manageable that typically there is no need to take medications stronger than acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Most patients have described the degree of pain similar to the muscle soreness after working out the entire day.