Spring is arriving soon, and this is often the time when many individuals consider options to get their bodies into the best shape possible as they start heading to the beach. Two of the most popular surgical cosmetic enhancement procedures, liposuction and abdominoplasty (commonly referred to as “tummy tuck” surgery), offer excellent opportunities to improve body contours and address aesthetic concerns affecting the midsection. With that in mind, it is important to know that they are very different procedures, and one can be more ideal than the other depending on the individual patient’s needs, goals, and expectations. Let’s explore some of the distinctions between these effective body contouring treatment options: Liposuction  If you are experiencing a collection of excess fat… Continue Reading

You may have heard of a new product available called the Tummy Tuck® Miracle Slimming System, also known as the Tummy Tuck® Belt. The makers of this product claim that you can slim belly fat by using the Tummy Tuck® Belt system at home for just 10 minutes, twice each day. The Tummy Tuck® Belt complete system involves the application of a “fat burning” cream, which is supposed to help activate a fat burning effect while you do two minutes of standing “Tummy Tightener” exercises, then go about your day as normal for the last eight minutes. After the 10 minutes is up, you can take off the belt, and the fat burning effect should continue for hours afterward. While… Continue Reading

After your major weight loss journey, you may experience extra unwanted sagging skin in different areas of your body. Fortunately, there are procedures available to remove this unwanted skin. Abdomen/Back One of the most common procedures patients have done after weight loss is the removal of extra skin in the abdominal region. This procedure is called an abdominoplasty (which includes tightening of the muscles) or panniculectomy (no muscle tightening). With this procedure, you will have a scar that extends from hip to hip. This procedure can be done alone or in conjunction with removal of extra back skin, which is called a circumferential body lift. With a circumferential body lift, you will have a scar that wraps around the circumference… Continue Reading

One of the more common concerns shared by many women considering tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) involves what effects it can have on a future pregnancy and, by contrast, the effects a future pregnancy can have on results. In most cases, a tummy tuck procedure should not preclude a woman’s ability to have a normal pregnancy after treatment has been performed. With that in mind, our experienced plastic surgeons here at Florida Plastic Surgery Group typically advise individuals considering tummy tuck surgery to wait until they are no longer planning to bear children in the future before undergoing tummy tuck surgery. The reason it is advisable to wait until after a woman is no longer planning to have children is that… Continue Reading

Liposuction  is an elective outpatient surgery to remove fat cells with suction cannulas through small incisions the size of a pencil eraser. A numbing solution, called tumescent, is injected into the desired area before removing the fat. An abdominoplasty is an elective outpatient surgery to excise or remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen as well as tighten the core muscles, called the rectus abdominis muscles. There are multiple factors considered when determining if a patient would benefit more from abdominal liposuction or an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). If a patient has excess skin (usually from pregnancy or weight loss) that has lost its elasticity, this patient is more of a candidate for an abdominoplasty as it will remove… Continue Reading

Losing significant amounts of weight is a major step for many people who are trying to slim their physiques and reduce risks to their health. Whether by traditional diet and exercise or advanced bariatric surgery, achieving dramatic weight loss is no small accomplishment and can have an extraordinarily positive effect on a person’s life. However, it is not uncommon for those who have lost weight to experience loose skin and excess fat deposits in a number of body areas. This typically occurs due to a loss of elasticity in skin and tissues, preventing them from conforming to the reduced size of the body. A number of plastic surgery after weight loss options can address these concerns by removing excess skin,… Continue Reading

Liposuction is the process of removing fat by suction cannulas after numbing fluid (tumescent) is injected to the desired area of fat removal, in this case, the abdomen. Liposuction removes fat cells allowing for a smoother overall contour and shape.  Liposuction is often incorporated into a tummy tuck and is referred to as a lipoabdominoplasty. A traditional tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin, fat/tissue, and often includes rectus abdominis plication for rectus diastasis. Rectus abdominis plication refers to the process of sewing/tightening the rectus abdominis muscles back together if they have separated with weight gain or pregnancy. A very common type of tummy tuck is a lipoabdominoplasty, which incorporates a traditional tummy tuck and liposuction… Continue Reading

Liposuction is the process of removing fat by suction cannulas after numbing fluid (tumescent) is injected to the desired area of fat removal, in this case, the abdomen. Liposuction is not meant as a solution for weight loss, however, is an excellent option for those areas that seem to persist after diet and exercise, but are also where excess skin is not an issue. Liposuction removes fat cells allowing for a smoother overall contour and shape. For optimal results, a patient would have minimal excess skin at the abdomen, be near their goal weight or weight stable, and maintain a healthy diet and exercise once cleared following surgery. If a patient has excess abdominal skin, liposuction will likely increase the… Continue Reading