If sit-ups are not giving you the taut tummy you desire. If you’ve got a little too much flab or excess skin in your abdomen that won’t diminish with diet or exercise, you may want to consider liposuction or an abdominoplasty, popularly referred to as a “tummy tuck.” Let me explain the differences in the two.
Liposuction is the removal of fat from the body using suction. In traditional liposuction, small, thin blunt-tipped tubes (cannulas) are inserted 
through tiny incisions in the skin. Fat is suctioned out through the cannulas as the doctor moves the cannula around under the skin to target specific fat deposits. With a tummy tuck, your abdomen will be cut from hipbone to hipbone in this procedure. The surgeon will manipulate and contour the skin, tissue and muscle as needed. This procedure can cause prominent, permanent scarring, unlike liposuction which leaves little scarring that fades with time.
There are two different types of liposuctions the first on is the tumescent liposuction and the second one is the ultrasound-assisted (ultrasonic) liposuction and two different types of abdominoplasty one is the complete abdominoplasty and the other the partial or mini abdominoplasty. Let us compare the liposuction technique and the abdominoplasty operation. Tumescent liposuction is considered safest and the most effective liposuction technique, with quick recovery time. Tumescent liposuction rarely requires general anesthesia which means that you can be awake during the procedure. Compared to the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), you are given general anesthesia which will put you to sleep during the operation. Liposuction generally does not tighten the skin over the treated area. After fat has been removed, the skin around the area may be somewhat loose. It may take up to 6 months for the skin to tighten (retract) around the treated area. With this surgery, you will see an improvement in body contour usually right after surgery. With a tummy tuck the skin is already tight at the treated area. The patient will have to severely limit strenuous exercise for at least six weeks, even if you are an exceptionally physically active person.
The side effects involved with these two procedures are also very different. With liposuction the side effects include temporary swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness in and around the treated areas. Irritation and minor scarring around the incision sites where the cannulas were inserted, and baggy or rippling skin. As with the tummy tuck, you also have pain and swelling in the days following surgery. You may also experience numbness, bruising and overall tiredness for that same time 
period, but you are restricted to movement. Everything the patient needs should be within arm’s reach. The major difference between these two operations is that the tummy tuck cuts away the skin, the fat and stretches the remaining skin over the opening of the wound and sutures the opening closed. On the other hand with liposuction the fat is being sucked out with a tube and the skin is left intact and no sutures are needed.
The results of liposuction and the tummy tuck can be long-lasting if you exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and maintain a healthy weight after the procedures. Each procedure is unique to each patient.
