Over the last few years, patients have asked what’s the difference between Lipo 360 vs Tummy Tuck. While these two procedures can help give you a leaner-looking middle, they do differ in a few key ways. Before you choose one or the other, it’s important to know what your end goal is. Let me explain.

There are two main groups here; you’re likely on one side or the other. 

Lipo 360 VS Tummy Tuck: Understanding Your Options

Some people exercise and follow diets, but they find it nearly impossible to lose fat around the waist. Due to the scenario, they seek a cosmetic treatment to give them the appearance of a leaner waistline and a flatter tummy. On the other hand, many people can lose weight successfully but feel self-conscious or uncomfortable because of loose skin around their abdomen and elsewhere.

If you fall into one of those two groups, a cosmetic procedure may give you the appearance you hope to get. There are two specific treatments that come to mind for these scenarios; some of you may benefit from liposuction while some of you may be better off with a tummy tuck. Let’s discuss the similarities and differences between these options.

Before we jump in, please keep in mind that this article isn’t a substitute for individualized medical care. A board-certified plastic surgeon will give you information specific to your health history, needs, aesthetic goals, budget, and personal preferences. This article is simply a starting point.

What is Lipo 360?

To best understand Lipo 360, you should have at least a basic understanding of liposuction and its use.

Compared to a tummy tuck, liposuction is a less invasive way to remove unwanted fat. For those of you who have muscle tone and good skin tone, It may be a better solution if you just want to lose a little fat in a few key areas.

There are a few different areas on the body where liposuction can be performed; these include the stomach, legs, arms, under the chin, or elsewhere. It’s still important to note that liposuction is a surgical procedure, so you will need time to recover after your surgery.

While there are some similarities between a tummy tuck and liposuction, there are also major differences. Unlike a tummy tuck, liposuction doesn’t address loose skin. It is intended for people who want to remove stubborn body fat but do not need to remove excess skin.

During liposuction, your surgeon uses a saline solution and a cannula to remove fat. The liposuction cannula is small, with an internal diameter of around 2.2 mm or less, about the thickness of a nickel.

The great thing about this procedure, it’s highly effective at removing targeted fat. It has the ability to address stubborn fat that exercise and diet can’t specifically target. Although the fat cells are permanently removed, the patient may still gain new body fat from overeating.

Lipo 360 targets fat around the entire midsection. Unlike traditional liposuction, which focuses on a specific area like the lower abdomen, Lipo 360 removes fat from the abdomen, waist, and hips, including the lower back.

If a person is having trouble with their love handles, as well as a protruding abdomen, Lipo 360 may be the right solution for you.

Liposuction, including Lipo 360, might be right for you if you:

• Are close to your ideal body weight, i.e., within 20 pounds.
• Don’t have lax muscles, sagging skin, or excess skin around your abdomen.
• Just want to remove body fat that resists diet and exercise.

 

What is a Tummy Tuck?

During a tummy tuck (known as abdominoplasty), your doctor makes a horizontal incision between the naval and pubic area and repairs the abdominal muscles by pulling them together and stitching them with medical-grade nylon. Your surgeon will remove excess skin and fat, which results in a flatter-looking tummy. Although it may sound simple, a procedure like this still requires precision and skill to treat it effectively.

Patients who opt for a tummy tuck often do so since this cosmetic procedure treats unwanted fat and excess skin.

This treatment is very appealing to people who have experienced sudden or large weight loss, which they can use to get rid of their loose skin. Other reasons people opt for a tummy tuck are to restore a leaner-looking appearance due to aging-related sagging or gain, lax muscles from pregnancy, or prior surgeries. A tummy tuck also helps people who struggle with belly bulges achieve a flatter tummy.

In summary, a tummy tuck:

• Removes excess or undesired fat.
• Removes loose or excess skin around the abdomen.
• Tightens abdominal muscles.
• Results in a “tighter” looking and sculpted waistline.

 

Some patients prefer a “mini tummy tuck.” While a full tummy tuck treats excess fat and skin all over the abdomen, a mini tummy tuck focuses on the area below the navel.

Since a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure requiring general anesthetic, patients may need a few weeks or months to completely heal. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gear will discuss that process and what to expect. Everyone heals at different rates; no two outcomes are going to be exactly identical. Your overall health history plays a big role in healing. For others, liposuction may be preferred over a tummy tuck.

Combining a Tummy Tuck and Lipo 360

Some people decide to get a tummy tuck and lipo 360 together. For others, it’s not a one-size-fits-all all choice between Lipo 360 vs tummy tuck. For some of you reading this now, combining the two procedures may help you reach your goal, especially for those of you who have excess abdominal skin from pregnancy or weight loss.

Please keep this in mind, neither tummy tuck nor liposuction is a replacement for weight loss through diet or exercise. Due to this, our patients who were happy with the end results were those who had successful weight loss through exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes. Dr. Gear will be able to walk you through all of that during your consultation and answer any questions you may have.

Combining plastic surgery procedures is common; this is something we offer everyone with our Mommy Makeover. A Mommy Makeover is often thought of as “breast and tummy” work. In reality, this plastic surgery makeover is much more. A mommy makeover can be described as any combination of procedures that restore pre-pregnancy body contours or give a woman the body she’s always wanted, even if she has not had children.

What’s Next: See a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, especially cosmetic surgery. Every surgical procedure carries risks that might make it unsuitable for some patients. A skilled physician can evaluate if you are a good candidate and address any questions you may have.

At Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, we feel privileged to assist our patients in making these deeply personal decisions about their appearance. We love seeing the confident smiles when a patient is overjoyed with their results.

Have a question or need help? Contact us today to book your consultation and are interested in exploring whether Lipo 360 vs tummy tuck is right for you. People are often amazed when they learn what today’s cosmetic procedures offer!