Ah, the summer season. A time to rest, relax and spend time with friends and family. Social gatherings call for more than just time with your loved ones, summer nights call for food and lots of it. Even if no food was gone to waste, some of it may be found at your waist. Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, liposuction and body sculpting is a solution for those seeking to lose unwanted fat or extra and loose skin. 

If you are considering one of these procedures, keep reading for some helpful information. First, abdominoplasty tightens the abdominal muscles and is frequently combined with liposuction to optimize results. In order to tighten the abdominal muscles, excess fat and skin must be removed. Undergoing a tummy tuck is a fairly common plastic surgery procedure. Over 129,000 procedures were performed in 2017 alone according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Tummy Tucks are also one of the top five minimally-invasive procedures performed in 2017.  

Another common and minimally-invasive procedure is liposuction. Liposuction, also known as lipo, can be used to slim and reshape areas of the body through fat removal. Not only can liposuction be a great solution to areas of unwanted fat or contour deformities, but the fat removed can also be transferred to other parts of the body. Liposuction makes moving unwanted abdominal fat to your bust possible…. seriously!

Similar to any other plastic surgery procedure, tummy tucks have their myths. While there is no question that one’s diet and exercise are critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they don’t (completely) change how our bodies look as we age, muscles change and fat stores. Physical activity cannot restore stretched skin. However, tummy tucks aren’t exclusive to just women. Men too can receive this procedure.  A prime example of changing bodies is women who undergo childbirth. Even with diet and exercise, some areas will not return to their pre-baby state. Mommy makeovers have become popular for helping get back to that pre-baby body. Compared to a tummy tuck, a mommy makeover includes a breast rejuvenation procedure and an abdominoplasty to help tighten the abdominal core and remove excess abdominal skin.. 

Liposuction has the misconception of being a quick and easy way to get rid of unwanted fat. However, if you choose to undergo liposuction, depending  on the area, sedation or anesthesia are required and the final results can take up to a year to appear. Dr. White also performs body contouring, which just requires local anesthesia and is not only an in-office procedure, but also minimally invasive. Although the results from liposuction should be long-lasting, not maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise regime have the potential to negate the results of the procedure.

Are you ready to take the next step towards plastic surgery? Contact Quintessence Plastic Surgery to schedule an informative consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Aisha White.