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Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

"Tummy tuck or liposuction—what's best for my belly?" is a question most women ask. Here's a snippet on Dr. Stephen Greenberg's post about Tummy Tuck on LongIslandPress.com:

A tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty surgery) removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. Skin elasticity is the main factor in deciding whether a tummy tuck or liposuction works best for a flatter stomach. As a general rule, women in their 40s who have given birth are better candidates for tummy tucks than liposuction. Loose or stretched skin (from childbirth or large weight/loss gain) will simply hang after liposuction, leaving you with a new cosmetic problem.

Women who have had Caesarean childbirth are particularly thrilled with the results of their tummy tuck. Children are, of course, worth every inconvenience, but, later in life, mothers often dislike their stretched abdominal skin, especially if it contains the scar of a Caesarean operation. Creams and exercise are unlikely to help. But a tummy tuck is not only for post-partum women, or just women, for that matter. The procedure can improve the appearance of excess abdominal fat, skin and tissue in any healthy adult.

If you are planning to lose a lot of weight, abdominoplasty is best after your weight has stabilized. The skin and flesh are then sculpted to your new form. Massive weight loss after abdominoplasty may leave the skin loose again about the belly. Therefore, a tummy tuck should also be performed when you are confident that your pregnant days are over. A tummy tuck is for sculpture, not weight loss.

Dr. Stephen Greenberg is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic surgery. He is the director of New York's Premier Center for Plastic Surgery with offices in Woodbury and Manhattan.