Localized fat, loose skin, and weakened abdominal muscles can all change the appearance of the midsection, but they do not respond to the same operation. McKinnon Plastic Surgery offers both tummy tuck surgery and liposuction in Chicago and Coral Gables. Board-certified plastic surgeon McKay McKinnon, MD has practiced cosmetic surgery since 1984 and has broad experience working with skin, soft tissue, and body contours.
What Liposuction Treats
Liposuction removes localized fat deposits that remain despite regular exercise and a stable weight. It may refine the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or other areas where concentrated fat creates an uneven contour.
The operation does not remove a substantial amount of loose skin or repair separated abdominal muscles. Skin with good elasticity may contract as swelling fades, but stretched skin can remain after the fat beneath it is reduced. For this reason, liposuction tends to work best when the primary issue is excess fat beneath relatively firm skin.
Liposuction is a contouring procedure, not a weight-loss treatment. Maintaining a stable weight after surgery helps protect the change.
What a Tummy Tuck Treats
Abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, removes excess abdominal skin and tightens the underlying abdominal wall. It is often considered after pregnancy, major weight changes, or aging has left the midsection with skin folds, muscle weakness, or a protruding shape that does not improve with diet and exercise.
A tummy tuck requires a longer incision and a more involved recovery than liposuction. The operation is better suited to structural changes involving skin and muscle rather than isolated fat.
The abdominoplasty gallery shows examples of the changes this procedure can make, although results depend on each patient’s starting anatomy.
When Are Liposuction and Tummy Tuck Combined?
Many people have more than one source of abdominal fullness. A tummy tuck can remove loose skin and tighten the abdominal wall, while liposuction can refine nearby fat deposits along the abdomen or flanks. Combining the procedures may create a smoother transition across the waist when your health and anatomy support that plan.
The choice is not based on which operation sounds less involved. It comes down to whether the change is caused by excess fat, loose skin, weakened muscles, or a combination of these factors. An in-person examination is the most reliable way to make that distinction.
Patients considering body surgery can also review the practice’s postoperative information to understand garment use, activity restrictions, and general recovery expectations.
Choose the Right Body Contouring Procedure
McKinnon Plastic Surgery sees body contouring patients in Chicago, IL, and Coral Gables, FL. Call 312-335-9566 in Chicago or 305-753-1400 in Coral Gables, or contact us to discuss whether liposuction, a tummy tuck, or a combined operation fits your needs.
