You work hard to stay fit, but despite your best efforts you may not be able to tone bulgy areas of fat or loose skin that are detracting from your otherwise shapely appearance. For many men and women in the Newport Beach area, liposuction or tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) seems to be an ideal way to achieve a firmer contour.

But many people who come to my Orange County plastic surgery offices aren’t quite sure which procedure is right for them. Here are some tips to help you understand what your own body is telling you about the best way to tighten your tummy.

Tummy Tuck versus Liposuction

Often, a person seeking body contouring has localized fatty deposits or loose abdominal muscles that allow the internal organs to bulge outward. Tummy tuck and liposuction address different cosmetic concerns, so you need to understand why your body looks the way it does before you and your surgeon work together to develop a good plan to create a firm and fit contour.

• A Newport Beach tummy tuck tightens abdominal muscles that have loosened as a result of age, pregnancy, or past weight fluctuations. Weight gain or pregnancy after a tummy tuck can cause the abdominal muscles to loosen again, so good candidates have finished having children.
• Newport Beach liposuction procedures eliminate excess fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. I use tumescent liposuction as a safe, proven method to reshape body contour. Liposuction is not intended to achieve weight loss – ideal candidates are within their healthy weight range and get plenty of exercise.

Many moms come to my practice wanting to find out if liposuction or a tummy tuck is right for them. In addition to the obvious physical effects that take place during pregnancy, women also experience hormonal changes that can cause stubborn pockets of fat to form. As a result, I often recommend both abdominoplasty and liposuction for moms who want to recontour their mid-body appearance.

Be Open to the Options

The important point is that your existing anatomy will dictate in large part which body contouring procedure is right for you. As you prepare for a consultation with your plastic surgeon, keep these tips in mind:

• Save time and protect your health by being honest about your habits and medical history from the start.
• Choose a qualified surgeon who you can trust to discuss your options fully. A good surgeon will never recommend surgery without first meeting with you personally, and an excellent surgeon will take the time to educate you and share your goals.
• Recognize that liposuction and tummy tuck encompass a wide variety of approaches. Be willing to understand how a surgeon’s recommended method relates to your desired outcome and body type.
• Visit with several surgeons and to maximize your safety and surgical results, focus on finding a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.