What hurts more lipo or tummy tuck?

In general, when you have to choose between liposuction or tummy tuck, you can easily make your choices based on the purpose of these treatments. Liposuction is performed to remove excess stubborn fat lying under the skin. The major target areas include the abdomen, thighs, hips, chin, neck, arms, back, buttocks, flanks, etc. On the other end, a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is performed to tighten the excess or saggy skin around the abdomen region. Also, the loose ‘rectus abdominis’ muscles are tightened. Here, the target area is only the abdomen and surrounding regions.

However, if you have to choose between these treatments based on the pain factor, then leave behind the purpose or need factors. So, in this blog post, let’s dive deep into the pain factor by understanding the various steps involved in these surgical procedures. 

Steps in a liposuction procedure

The first step in this minimally invasive surgical procedure is making a small incision in and around the main target areas. Then, a long, thin cannula is inserted and moved back and forth to destroy the fat cells. After the lysis, the fat cells are extracted or suctioned with the help of a tube attached to the cannula. Eventually, after complete fat removal, the incision is closed with medical sutures. 

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Steps in a tummy tuck procedure

Often, this tummy tuck is coupled with fat removal or lipo. Hence, it is considered one of the most extensive surgical procedures. Firstly, the fat accumulated between the skin and the abdominal muscles is extracted. Then, the skin around the hip and above the pubic area is largely cut open up to the chest level, and the loosened muscles are tightened (the tightness depends on the visceral fat deposits). As the last step, the skin is stretched as much as possible downward. The excess saggy skin is removed and the incisions are sutured.       

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Risks associated with these procedures

Now that you know how these cosmetic surgeries work, let’s understand the risks associated with both of them.

(i) Liposuction Risks

There are chances for bruising, swelling, or reddishness around the tiny incision. However, these after-effects may vanish in 1-2 weeks of recovery. When it comes to scarring, usually it gets hidden under the skin contours. Also, with the help of recovery guidelines and healthy food habits, these scars will fade away in a few weeks or months. At large, there are no considerable or specific risks associated and patients resume their routine in at least two weeks.  

(ii) Tummy Tuck Risks

Fluid accumulation could be the highest risk factor with this surgery. As the incisions are not as tiny ones like in liposuction, there are chances for bleeding or blood clots as well. Scarring is unavoidable in this treatment. And the recovery may take longer than expected—at least 4 to 6 weeks. There may be other risks owing to the wide invasiveness, like anesthesia, infections, asymmetry, bowel disturbances, pain, skin loss, etc.    

Which hurts more?

In simple words, when the risks are higher, pain is higher. So, it is needless to say that the tummy tuck hurts more than a lipo. However, when a board-certified, experienced plastic surgeon performs the surgery, the possibility of risks can be minimized and you can expect maximum results after the tummy tuck procedure. 

Looking for an expert surgeon for a tummy tuck? Book an appointment with the leading aesthetic wellness center—TamiraLife, Chennai.