Liposuction is considered a cosmetic procedure and is neither a substitute for proper diet and exercise, nor a method for overall weight loss. It cannot eliminate cellulite or correct loose, hanging skin. Liposuction is suited for patients who have isolated fatty deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. Liposuction works best when you have healthy, elastic skin with the capacity to shrink evenly after surgery. Only a certain amount of fat cells can safely be removed from the body, which varies among patients. Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have less skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.
If your skin has lost much of its elasticity, you may need a skin tightening procedure such as an abdominoplasty, which is known more commonly as a tummy tuck.
An abdominoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the middle and/or lower abdomen. This is done to decrease the size and flatten the appearance of the abdomen, as well as repair and renew the abdominal muscle wall. Reasons for needing abdominoplasty include multiple pregnancies in women, excess weight loss, multiple past abdominal surgeries that have left the abdomen weakened and fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that will not respond to regular diet and exercise.
There are two types of tummy tuck procedures. The first is a full or complete abdominoplasty, which addresses problems regarding the whole of the abdominal area. The second procedure is a partial abdominoplasty or mini-tummy tuck, which deals primarily with fat deposits and skin that are limited to the area below the navel. In both cases liposuction may be performed in conjunction with the abdominoplasty to achieve an optimum body-contouring outcome.
Although liposuction and abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and increase your confidence and self-esteem, it is important to be realistic about the outcome of your surgery as it relates to your specific needs and body type.