Can Liposuction Tighten Abdominal Skin?

Some individuals have no success shedding excess fat no matter how much they diet and exercise. 

One option that will help those individuals achieve their desired look is liposuction. Liposuction is a procedure that breaks up fat and sucks it from the body. 

It is great for sculpting troublesome areas of the body, including the abdomen, arms, buttocks, thighs, calves, and chin. And while the procedure is effective for removing fat, it may not provide the comprehensive results you are desiring. Liposuction has limited ability to cause some skin retraction. Therefore, in some patients, some skin looseness will remain. 

What Can Liposuction Do For Me?

One of the most common areas for liposuction is the abdomen since it is here that excess fat often collects. Even with a proper diet and regular exercise, it can be almost impossible to shed the extra pounds from the midsection. 

Liposuction is excellent for getting rid of excess fat and sculpting the body.

What Can I Do About Sagging Skin?

The purpose of liposuction is to rid troubled areas of excess fat; however, it does not solve the problem of loose skin. If you have good skin elasticity, then liposuction will produce desirable results, and sagging skin will not be a problem. 

There are some new devices that can be used at the time of liposuction that can enhance some skin retraction. Unfortunately, if there is any significant skin laxity, then a tummy tuck may be necessary.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

When liposuction leaves you with loose abdominal skin (or if you had loose skin after pregnancy or previous weight loss), a tummy tuck is the procedure you need to correct the issue. 

A tummy tuck removes excess skin and makes the abdomen firmer. Connective tissues in the abdomen are also tightened with sutures to encourage a firmer stomach. The remaining skin will be repositioned to create a more toned look.

Why Is Loose Skin a Problem After Liposuction?

While some individuals will enjoy a toned look and no loose skin after weight fluctuations or liposuction, others will have a problem with sagging skin. Your skin’s ability to bounce back depends on more factors than just fat loss.

Length of Time You Were Overweight

The amount of time that you were overweight plays a factor in how quickly or how well your skin can tighten. The longer your skin is stretched out due to weight issues, the more difficult it is to tighten the skin.

Sudden Weight Loss

Liposuction removes fat immediately. This means your skin cannot gradually tighten as well as it would if you had lost the weight at a slower pace. This rapid decrease in volume makes it more difficult for your skin to react.

Other Factors

Age, health, and genetics also play a part in skin elasticity. You may have an advantage if you are young, healthy, and have good genes.

Want to Learn More?

If you are interested in learning more about liposuction or tummy tuck surgery, feel free to contact Dr. Ackerman at (949) 759-3284 or fill out our online contact form. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.