Total Body Surgical Blog

Today I am going to give you a test.  Fun, huh!!  No grades will be given, thank you.  Hopefully you can learn something from this and if you like it, let me know here and I will come up with some similar ones for other common procedures.

Today the test is going to be about liposuction and tummy tucks....when is one appropriate and not the other and vice versa. Good luck!!

#1.  ....what do you think??  Tummy tuck or lipo?

  We start with an easy one.  If you said tummy tuck, you would be right.  There is no doubt there is a lot of fatty tissue present and liposuction COULD be considered, however, the hanging skin would only become worse.  A tummy tuck with associated liposuction of the waist would be the appropriate choice.  The tummy tuck would remove the excess skin and stretch marks below the belly button and liposuction of the waist would accent and renew the shape of the sides of the abdomen.

#2.  Which is it, tummy tuck or liposuction?

  This one is a little tougher.  When you look at this abdomen what do you see?  As far as fatty tissue goes, there is only a problem area in the mid abdomen and a lower abdominal pooch.  Normally, this would be a perfect abdomen for liposuction, however, you always must evaluate the skin quality too.  The skin in the lower abdomen is riddled with stretch marks.  For this reason, I would recommend a tummy tuck.  The tummy tuck removes a majority of the stretch marks, tightens the remaining ones and moves them below the pant and swim suit line.  Of course if she presented not caring about skin quality after the procedure, a liposuction procedure could be selected.  I would doubt the level of satisfaction after liposuction alone.

#3.  Which one??

  Not exactly a clinical photo, but, it makes a point.  This girl is the perfect example for liposuction.  Perfect skin, nice shape overall, and just a small area of fat in the lower and mid abdomen....what a pallet!!  I could make this abdomen look amazing.  I would use a small cannula, remove the fatty tissue and give her some definition.  I would then use the cool touch laser to tighten the skin more.  It would look fantastic.

#4.  The last one...Tummy tuck or lipo....this one is a little tough so take your time!

  This abdomen is a little tougher.  The skin looks pretty good.  The shape is fair with some fatty pockets that could easily be removed with liposuction.  Liposuctioning the waist would also improve her shape into a more hourglass look.  BUT, what about the C-section scar?  It is a point of adherence that liposuction will not address.  I would recommend a mini tummy tuck with liposuction.  This would allow me to tighten the lower abdominal skin, remove the C-section scar, and liposuction the waist.  I would not make an incision around the belly button but remove some skin that will make it look better.

Good job!  I hope you enjoyed our little quiz.  Remember to let me know on facebook, twitter @jeffswetnam, or here if you like it.  I can come up with some more I think you will like.

Here are a couple of pictures of my work....

Don't forget our laser hair removal special...$50.00/treatment/area...amazing.  Also, our breast augmentation special for silicone and saline.  Lap band specials as well.

Welcome to Trish, our new RN.  An amazing girl that we are very proud to add to our Total Body Surgical Staff.