Lipo, Tummy Tuck, or Bariatric Surgery: Which Should You Get?

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck Surgery

If you're looking to reduce the appearance of fat or loose skin on your midsection, liposuction, and tummy tucks are the commonly recommended procedures. Though both offer permanent results when paired with a healthy lifestyle, it's important to understand the differences between them before deciding which surgical option is right for you.

How Liposuction Works

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes excess fat from beneath the skin. Your surgeon will make small incisions around your target area (usually on the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, or arms) and insert a thin tube called a cannula to suction the fat.

This option is best suited for individuals who want to reduce body fat but do not have excessive amounts of loose skin and abdominal wall laxity.

Let's explore some of liposuction's benefits:

• Improves contours and proportions. Removing fat from a "trouble area​​" can create more balanced body proportions and achieve better definition in places where you may feel uncomfortable or self-conscious.


• Reduces the appearance of cellulite. While cellulite affects both men and women, it's more common among women due to the higher percentage of subcutaneous fat in their bodies. During liposuction, a surgeon removes excess fat cells from under the skin, which helps reduce cellulite by smoothing away bumps and making the skin appear firmer.

How Tummy Tuck Surgery Works

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat from the midsection. Unlike liposuction, tummy tucks address underlying muscle laxity by tightening the abdominal core with internal sutures. This procedure also helps flatten out any bulges in the abdomen while providing additional contour along the waistline.

Tummy tuck surgery may be more suitable if you have lost a significant amount of weight or had pregnancies that caused your stomach area's muscles to stretch beyond their natural capacity.

In particular, here's how a tummy tuck benefits you:

• Look like a frequent gym-goer. The excess fat and skin removed during this procedure will leave your abdomen looking toned and tight. As a major bonus, the cosmetic results from a tummy tuck can boost self-confidence and allow you to feel comfortable wearing clothes that might have otherwise been too revealing pre-surgery.


• Improve muscle tone. An abdominoplasty tightens underlying muscles that have become stretched or weakened over time due to pregnancy, weight gain, or age-related changes in muscle structure. Tummy tucks also provide additional support for the abdominal wall, which can result in improved posture and core strength, as well as reduced back pain.

Ultimately, consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon in Scottsdale, Arizona ensures you make the best decision between liposuction and tummy tuck surgery. If you believe that either option is right for you, contact Guerra Plastic Surgery Center to schedule a consultation. Our surgeons can help you make an informed decision based on your exact needs and candidacy.

Related: Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: Which Is Right for You?

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a more comprehensive approach to weight loss than liposuction and tummy tuck surgery. Specifically, it addresses underlying health issues related to obesity while also reducing the amount of fat in the body.

Performed over 278,000 times a year, this weight loss procedure typically involves reducing the size of the stomach or intestines. It also reduces appetite by altering hormones that control hunger signals in the brain.

While bariatric surgery results in greater long-term weight loss success, it's important to know that it carries more risks than liposuction and tummy tucks. Developing kidney stones, dumping syndrome, experiencing weight regain, and not losing your desired amount of weight are some potential risks you should discuss with your doctor before moving forward.

What about the benefits of bariatric surgery? Successful procedures result in the following:

• Dramatic weight loss. Bariatric surgery can help you shed a significant amount of weight. By reducing the capacity of your stomach and intestines, you may feel full more quickly after a meal, which reduces your overall food consumption. Furthermore, by decreasing the appetite-stimulating hormones released after eating, bariatric surgery promotes further reductions in caloric intake. Collectively, many patients experience life-changing weight loss that they may not have been able to achieve through diet and exercise alone.


• Reduced risk for obesity-related health issues. In addition to helping people lose weight, bariatric surgery has been linked to reductions in serious health issues associated with obesity. These include hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and stroke. This is because losing weight can improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce levels of unhealthy fats in the blood.


• Improved quality of life. An advantage often overlooked is how much bariatric surgery can improve one's quality of life. Studies show that the procedure not only addresses the physical symptoms associated with obesity, but it can also lead to improved mental health outcomes by reducing rates of depression, boosting self-esteem, and promoting a more positive body image.

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck vs. Bariatric Surgery

All three of these procedures can help you reach your body goals. However, each comes with its unique set of risks and benefits that you must consider before making a decision. Liposuction offers quick results but only targets localized areas; tummy tucks provide more comprehensive outcomes but only address small pockets of fat around your midsection; and bariatric surgeries offer long-term results but come with greater risks than either lipo or tummy tucks.

The choice between these options depends on what kind of transformation you're looking for and how much risk you're willing to take on to get it. Talk to your doctor about which approach is appropriate for your individual needs and lifestyle. Together, you can decide which surgical intervention is right for you.