19 Nov 2024 | by Dr. Vickram Tandon
The abdomen occupies a large percentage of your torso. If it is out of proportion, it
may have an adverse effect on the appearance of your entire body. It can certainly
negatively impact how comfortable you feel in your skin. The frustrating thing for
patients when it comes to this area of the body is that, oftentimes, it is resistant to
changes in diet and exercise. Women, in particular, are plagued by excess fat and
skin in the mid-section due to pregnancy and menopause. Rejuvenating the
abdomen can have a profoundly positive effect physically and mentally. There are
a number of treatment options. Figuring out whether liposuction or a tummy tuck
is the right one for you starts with an in-person consultation.
Body Contouring Consultation for the Abdomen
Thanks to the internet, we live in an age of self-diagnosis. I love that my Boston
area patients use the world wide web to educate themselves on body contouring.
However, any aesthetic procedure is only effective if it is the right one for your
unique anatomy and desired outcome. This is why I always encourage patients to
schedule an in-person consultation. During our meeting, I will ask what bothers
you about your mid-section. I will perform a through physical exam to assess:
• Areas of excess fat
• Visceral vs. subcutaneous fat
• Degree of skin laxity, if any
• Health of abdominal muscles
Together, we will talk about the ideal treatment plan for creating the long, lean
abdomen of your dreams.
Liposuction for Excess Fat
Liposuction is an important player in body contouring. However, it has its
limitations. This is because liposuction is a procedure for removing excess fat only.
It does not address skin laxity. In fact, it can sometimes make the latter worse.
Think about how a balloon looks after losing air. So, while most patients would
prefer stand-alone liposuction to improve the abdominal area, it is really only
appropriate for those with pockets of extra fat and healthy skin that still has enough
elasticity to re-form over your new contour. Unfortunately, skin loses both
collagen and elastin every year after about 25. Furthermore, in addition to age,
factors such as:
• Weight fluctuations
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
These may all stretch out the skin in your middle. In order to create a smooth, long,
lean torso, we will need to remove excess fat and loose skin. This is the
differentiating factor between liposuction and a tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Options in Boston
A tummy tuck is a big procedure that is going to require some downtime for
recovery. This can be a stumbling block for some patients. But it is also one of
those procedures that can truly transform your appearance. There are two types:
• Full tummy tuck
• Mini-tummy tuck
If your excess skin is located below the belly button only, you may be a candidate
for a mini-tummy tuck. Most patients, however, are going to need a full
abdominoplasty. All of these options will be discussed with you in detail during
your initial consultation. During your procedure, I will make an incision low on
your belly through which I will lift and tighten the skin and muscles, if needed. I
always combine a tummy tuck with liposuction to remove excess fat in the midsection and flanks, if necessary. Regardless of which type of abdominoplasty you
have, you will need to wear a compression garment for a few weeks post-op to
promote healing and create the result that we both want. This can be a drag, but
patients tend to agree that it is not a big price to pay for looking so fabulous.
To find out more about liposuction, tummy tuck, or any other surgical or nonsurgical procedure with Dr. Vickram Tandon at the Boston Center for Plastic
Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation at his
Boston or Brookline offices.
