Concerned about excess skin or stubborn abdominal fat? Wondering if liposuction or a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is the right procedure for you? We know the surgical options can be overwhelming, so we are here to guide you in the right direction.
For patients considering a tummy tuck or liposuction, often the end goal is the same: a flatter tummy! But the next question is – how do I get there?
An abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” surgery
A tummy tuck may be the best option for my patients who have excess or lax abdominal skin that has been stretched due to pregnancy or significant weight loss. A tummy tuck is also the only way to address and repair muscle separation post-pregnancy. The procedure generally involves a hip-to-hip incision along the bikini line, internal muscle repair, excess skin removal, waist, flank reshaping and the creation of a new navel.
More information about our tummy tuck procedure, including animated videos about how the procedure is performed and information on recovery time and costs.
Can I have a tummy tuck and liposuction at the same time?
Absolutely. I incorporate extensive liposuction into every tummy tuck I perform. Generally, the first 1.5-2 hours of an abdominoplasty I spend performing liposuction alone! Liposuction is the key to achieving the high-definition sculpture that sets my tummy tucks apart from others. My tummy tuck patients come in a range of ages, shapes and sizes, and liposuction is key to achieving an outstanding result. You can visit our full tummy tuck before and after gallery.
Abdominal liposuction as a stand-alone procedure
Liposuction can be an option to target stubborn pockets of fat that you are unable to shift with diet and exercise, as well as to reshape the body and provide more definition.
Abdominal liposuction involves making several small incisions in the skin to permanently remove the fatty layer between the skin and the abdominal wall. While liposuction can remove stubborn bulges, it is unable to tighten the skin, which is generally what most patients who are considering a tummy tuck are looking for.
Please note: I do not perform liposuction as a stand-alone procedure. I often perform liposuction when booked in conjunction with another breast or body procedure, or as part of a tummy tuck.
Liposuction alone is not suitable for patients who have experienced significant weight loss. Liposuction is not able to remove excess skin, or any “overhang” from the abdominal area. In many cases, liposuction alone can make excess skin look even worse! By reducing the volume of fat, you are essentially deflating the content that is keeping the skin sitting upright, and effectively making the area look worse.
More information about our liposuction procedure.
Does my weight matter?
It is important to remember that neither a tummy tuck nor liposuction is intended as a method for overall weight loss. The ideal candidate for these procedures has reached their stable, goal weight, and has maintained this weight for a minimum of 6 months. All of my patients must be under a BMI of 30 to minimise the risks of surgery, and ideally under 28 in order to achieve the best long-term surgical result. For patients who still need to lose a large amount of weight to achieve their goals, significant lifestyle changes and/or bariatric surgery may be the first step towards your goals prior to undergoing plastic surgery. More information about why weight matters in plastic surgery.
Are there any non-surgical options for stubborn belly fat?
We offer CoolSculpting as a non-invasive option when it comes to reducing bulges on the tummy, flanks and other areas of the body. CoolSculpting is a viable option for those wanting to reduce fat layers on the body. However, again, this kind of treatment is not suitable for those with excess skin, and it does not address underlying muscle separation. For more information, you can visit our CoolSculpting page.
So... Which procedure should I choose, Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?
To determine which procedure would be best for you, it is best to visit me for a consultation to discuss your goals. During your consultation, we will create a detailed plan in order to achieve your desired outcome.
Ready to book a consultation?
Please call our lovely team on 4920 7700 or send us a message below. We also have two team members who had tummy tucks with me before they applied for roles with us who are happy to talk you through the surgical journey!
More blogs you may be interested in:
- Can I claim a tummy tuck from Medicare?
- Recovering from a tummy tuck
- How much does a tummy tuck cost?
- Tummy tucks – why are mums being punished?
- How can I tell if I have muscle separation post-pregnancy?
- Why weight matters in plastic surgery
- When can I have a consultation and surgery with Dr Moncrieff?
Blog Author:
Dr Nicholas Moncrieff, Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon
About Dr Moncrieff
Dr Moncrieff focuses exclusively on breast reductions, breast lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks and body lifts.
He is one of only a handful of Plastic Surgeons across Australia with this sole breast and body focus.
Dr Moncrieff has performed thousands of surgical procedures over more than two decades in medicine. Over 20,000 of these procedures have been in Newcastle.
More information about Dr Moncrieff is available here.
