When our patients aren’t happy with their abdomen, whether it’s a pooch from childbirth or pockets of fat that won’t go away, they wonder if liposuction or a tummy tuck is the best way to get the slimmer stomach they desire. While Dr. Funt performs both procedures, and both shape and sculpt the abdominal area, they go about it in vastly different ways.

Liposuction

As America becomes bigger, so does liposuction. Last year, it was once again the most popular cosmetic surgery in the country. Liposuction targets excess pockets of fat such as love handles, spare tires, and muffin tops. But liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. The ideal candidate for liposuction should be within 10% of their ideal body weight and have tried both diet and exercise to get rid of stubborn areas of fat. Plus, although the fat is removed permanently from the liposuction areas, fat can develop in other areas if weight is gained.

Tummy tuck

Unlike liposuction, a tummy tuck doesn’t remove abdominal fat. A tummy tuck removes loose, handing abdominal skin and tightens the underlying muscles to re-contour the abdomen. The procedure and recovery are much more involved than with liposuction because tummy tucks target skin and muscle, not simply fat deposits.

When trying to decide between the two procedures, the good news is you don’t have to! If you have issues with both excess fat and poor skin laxity in the abdominal area, Dr. Funt can perform both liposuction and a tummy tuck as part of your body-contouring plan.

So, if you’re unhappy with your tummy, call Dr. Funt at 212-257-0007 and let’s talk about what we can do to give you the contour you want.