Both liposuction and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) aim to slim down the abdomen and torso and reduce stubborn pockets of fat. However, each procedure uses different techniques to achieve a slender profile. Dr. David Mashhadian has performed liposuction and tummy tuck procedures on patients with successful outcomes throughout the entirety of his career. If you’re looking to achieve a sleeker silhouette, you can achieve it with Rodeo Surgical Art.
How Does Liposuction Work?
Liposuction removes stubborn fat cells that simply don’t respond to diet and exercise. Sometimes, no matter how close to your goal weight you are, there are areas—typically on the abdomen, flanks, hips, or thighs—where fat won’t budge and you’re not as slender as you wish to be. Dr. Mashhadian has meticulously perfected his body sculpting techniques with liposuction to remove these unwanted fat pockets so you can achieve the body shape you’ve worked so hard for.
At Rodeo Surgical Art, we have two options for the type of procedure that works best for you: tumescent liposuction and VASER liposuction.
Tumescent liposuction involves the infusion of sterile fluid into the treatment area. This minimizes bleeding and eases the fat removal process. Once the fluid has worked its magic on your fatty deposits, they’re gently suctioned out through a small cannula inserted into your treatment area. This preserves the fat cells in patients having a fat transfer procedure, and also minimizes trauma to surrounding tissues, which decreases bleeding risk and improves recovery times.
VASER liposuction also aims to keep fat removal gentle, using ultrasound energy to heat the fat cells, disrupting their membranes and liquefying the cells for easier removal. VASER stands for vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance, and this process gives Dr. Mashhadian incredible sculpting control to help you achieve the body shape you want most. This gentle removal of fat also improves recovery times with less tissue trauma.
How Does a Tummy Tuck Work?
A tummy tuck also removes excess fat while additionally addressing abdominal muscles separated from the abdominal wall (a common concern among women who’ve been pregnant), and excess skin. The overall effect is a flatter, tighter stomach with smoother skin. Patients who’ve experienced significant weight loss, have been pregnant, and have a belly pooch that simply won’t diminish no matter what they do typically have good outcomes with a tummy tuck procedure. The incision is made between the pubic hairline and navel, and Dr. Mashhadian will anchor the abdominal muscles to the abdominal wall for greater stability and core strength. Then, stubborn fat is removed, and excess skin is removed to create a slim, sleek abdomen.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Patients who have good skin elasticity are often ideal candidates for liposuction, while skin laxity is one of the concerns a tummy tuck will correct. Both procedures remove fat deposits, so the skin’s condition is often the deciding factor for which technique is best for you. Neither procedure is a good tool for weight loss, so good candidates are non-smokers who are at or near their ideal weight. Dr. Mashhadian can answer any questions you have during a comprehensive consultation.
How Are the Procedures Performed?
Both liposuction and tummy tuck are performed under general anesthesia in Rodeo Surgical Art’s state-of-the-art surgical suite on an outpatient basis. If you’re having liposuction, either the tumescent fluid or the VASER ultrasound energy is delivered to the treatment area, and the unwanted fat is gently suctioned away while Dr. Mashhadian sculpts your new, slimmer profile. The treatment takes 60-90 minutes to complete.
For abdominoplasty patients, the procedure takes 2-4 hours and begins with anesthesia. The shape and length of your incision will depend on how much correction is necessary. Weakened and separated abdominal muscles are sutured and repaired, and excess fat, tissue, and skin are removed. The incisions are closed with techniques designed to minimize scarring, and you’ll be wrapped in compression bandages for stability, support, and shape preservation.
What Results Can I Expect?
In both procedures, swelling needs to subside before results are evident, which will take a couple of weeks. Some tissue settling can be expected for a few more months. The fat cells that have been removed won’t return, but remaining cells can still fluctuate in size, so a healthy lifestyle is crucial for maintaining your new physique. Both procedures produce long-lasting results with better fitting clothing and greater confidence in yourself and your body.
