December 20, 2022 | 5 minute read
Since there are so many different plastic surgery procedures available, it can be challenging to know which one(s) is best for you. This is especially true when two or more procedures target the same area(s) on your body.
An example of this is lower body lift surgery and tummy tuck surgery.
While a lower body lift and tummy tuck both address aesthetic concerns in the midsection, including that frustrating belly pooch, the truth is that there are differences between these procedures that need to be considered before undergoing surgery.
Below, we will discuss each of these plastic surgery procedures to better help you understand which surgery might be right for you!
What Is the Difference Between a Tummy Tuck and a Lower Body Lift?
Whether from age, lifestyle, or life events (such as pregnancy and weight loss), many men and women become frustrated with pockets of stubborn fat and excess skin in their midsections. This can cause many people to feel embarrassed and self-conscious about the way they look.
The good news is that both tummy tuck and lower body lift surgeries remove the stubborn fat, tighten abdominal muscles, and remove sagging skin.
However, while tummy tuck surgery focuses completely on the abdomen, a lower body lift also addresses concerns in the hips, flanks, buttocks, and lower back.
In that regard, it is smart to think of a lower body lift as an extended tummy tuck.
How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?
Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is one of the most effective and popular cosmetic procedures each and every year. In 2020, nearly 100,000 tummy tuck procedures were performed.
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia to ensure that you do not feel any pain or discomfort during your surgery. Once the anesthesia is administered, Dr. Wilson will perform liposuction of the abdomen and flanks. He turns his patients in the OR to ensure that he performs liposuction of the flanks, love handles, and lower back. Next, he will make an incision that runs along the lower abdomen extending along the excess skin. This incision is placed at the level of the pubic area to keep the scars below the bikini or swimsuit line and to keep the hairline low.
Finally, Dr. Wilson will tighten the abdominal muscles with internal sutures.
Sagging skin will then be surgically removed, and lastly, the remaining skin will be pulled tight before the incisions are closed. In total, the procedure generally lasts three to four hours and requires three to six weeks of recovery.
You can learn more about tummy tuck recovery here.
How Is a Lower Body Lift Performed?
Lower body lift surgery takes the same process of a tummy tuck and simply extends beyond the abdomen. Because of this, the incisions for this procedure are more extensive than those made for a tummy tuck, and because more areas of the body are being targeted, the recovery time will be a little longer than for a tummy tuck.
For a lower body lift, the incision is made around the entire torso. A second incision is often made below the initial incision, which allows Dr. Wilson to treat the lower areas of your body.
Through these incisions, liposuction may be used to remove stubborn fat from the treatment areas. The muscles in the abdomen are then tightened, and any excess skin is trimmed away from these areas.
While this is an extensive surgery (which can take anywhere from four to six hours), your lower body lift results can be completely transformative to your entire appearance. A lower body lift will result in anterior and lateral thigh tightening and buttock lifting.
With this procedure, you can achieve the more contoured and toned appearance you’ve always dreamed of, which can help you feel great about the way you look.
So, Which Procedure Is Right For Me?
In the end, the specific procedure you undergo is decided by the areas on your body that you struggle with. If your cosmetic frustrations are limited to the abdomen, then a tummy tuck is the best procedure for you. However, if you want to improve the appearance of your hips, thighs, or backside, then a lower body lift may be the best option to give you the results you desire.
The most important step for any plastic surgery procedure is your consultation.
During your consultation, Dr. Wilson will be able to examine your specific condition to help you determine which procedure can best help you achieve the appearance you desire so that you can feel more comfortable and confident with your body.
Interested in Learning More
If you are interested in lower body lift, tummy tuck, or any of the other procedures that we offer, then schedule your consultation with Dr. Patrick Wilson today. You can give us a call at (256) 551-2002 or use our online form here.
