Tummy Liposuction at UCT Private Academic Hospital

Tummy liposuction, also called stomach liposuction or abdominal liposuction, is exactly as its name suggests: a procedure in which liposuction is performed on the abdominal area. Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat that you cannot seem to eliminate through diet and exercise. Tummy liposuction is one of the most common liposuction procedures for both men and women. It is popular among those who want a more defined abdomen as it can help get rid of a certain amount of localized fat tissue in the area.

The abdomen is often divided into two separate areas: the “upper” abdominal area just between the rib cage and belly button, and the “lower” abdominal area around and below the belly button. The upper area can stubbornly hold onto a layer of fat, while the lower area is responsible for the dreaded “muffin top.” Depending on your specific needs, you might choose to treat just one or both areas.

There are numerous reasons why someone would undergo tummy liposuction, such as:

• Previous pregnancy – a pregnancy can stretch your abdominal muscles and accumulate fat on the area, causing your lower abdomen to bulge to a certain degree. Many women find it difficult to get rid of the bulge completely. A vast majority of women who have been pregnant and undergo tummy liposuction are ultimately happy with the results they receive.
• Previous surgeries – some surgeries that require an incision across the lower abdomen, such as hysterectomy and C-section, can cause a persistent bulge of subcutaneous fat in the abdomen. This deformity can easily be repaired by tummy liposuction.
• Dramatic weight loss – even after a dramatic weight loss, there may be some stubborn belly fat that just won’t go away. Tummy liposuction can help you address this problem.
• Age – our metabolism slows as we age, resulting in an accumulation of fat in the abdomen.
• Genetic predisposition to abdominal fat – certain body types are more likely to accumulate fat in the abdomen than others. Even very thin people may suffer from this annoying condition, and weight loss attempts may only eliminate fat everywhere else except the abdomen.

Tummy liposuction can be performed on both men and women. However, it may not be for everyone. You are an ideal candidate for tummy liposuction if you meet the requirements below:

• You are generally healthy. Tummy liposuction may worsen any existing health condition or elective surgery. Make sure to tell your surgeon about any and all existing conditions you have during your initial consultation.
• You are in relatively good shape and not extremely overweight. Having average weight or only slightly above-average weight is best for tummy liposuction. In addition, your weight should be stable.
• You are a woman who is not planning to get pregnant in the future. Pregnancy can change the results of your tummy liposuction significantly.
• You have not had abdominal liposuction in the past, as it can make the fat tissue harder to treat.
• You have a reasonably good muscle tone and elastic skin.
• You have more subcutaneous fat than visceral fat. There are two types of fat in the abdomen: subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is the pinchable fat that can be found right beneath the skin. This type of fat is harmless, but it can be unattractive aesthetically. On the other hand, visceral fat is firm and hard and is located inside the abdominal cavity. It is not as harmless as subcutaneous fat and can be bad for your health as it is more likely to interfere with organ functions and lead to numerous weight-related problems. It is important to know that tummy liposuction can only eliminate subcutaneous fat. It cannot address visceral fat. Diet and exercise are needed to eliminate visceral fat effectively. While having a lot of visceral fat will not prevent you from having liposuction, it may affect your tummy liposuction results.

The Procedure

Before tummy liposuction, you will have a consultation with your surgeon. They will learn about your goals, help decide whether tummy liposuction is the best option for you, and answer all your questions. Therefore, make sure to ask them everything you want to know and talk about your concerns. You can do this consultation virtually, but you may need to do it in person in some cases. If you decide to move forward with tummy liposuction, your surgeon will give you instructions on how to prepare for it. It is important that you follow all the instructions to ensure the procedure goes as smoothly as possible, help you recover more quickly, and reduce the risks of complications. Your surgeon or surgical team may also tell you what to bring to Cape Town, such as comfortable clothes, entertainment (such as books and movies to keep you occupied while you rest), and antibacterial soap.

On the day of the surgery, your surgeon will start by marking the areas of your abdomen where fat is going to be suctioned out. Photos may also be taken so that you can compare the before and after images. Your surgeon will then give you local or regional anesthesia, which numbs only the treatment area but let you stay awake. You may also be given a sedative to help you remain calm and relaxed. In some cases, general anesthesia may be used. This causes you to be unconscious throughout the procedure.

There are several techniques to perform tummy liposuction. The most common is tumescent liposuction. With tumescent liposuction, your surgeon injects a sterile solution into the abdomen. Then, small incisions are created in your skin on the treatment area, and a thin tube called a cannula is inserted through this incision. This cannula is connected to a vacuum, which suctions fat and fluids from the abdomen.

Other techniques that can be used to perform tummy liposuctions are ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) and laser-assisted liposuction (LAL). In UAL, a metal rod is inserted under your skin. This metal rod emits ultrasonic energy, which ruptures the fat cell walls and breaks down the fat in your abdomen, making it easier for the fat to be removed.

With LAL, high-intensity laser light is used to break down the fat. It involves the insertion of a laser fiber through a small incision. The laser fiber emulsifies fat deposits. Then, a cannula is used to remove the fat.

After the tummy liposuction procedure is finished, the medical team will take you to a recovery room where they monitor your condition.

How Long Should You Stay in Cape Town?

You should be allowed to leave the hospital or clinic on the same day as your tummy liposuction. However, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight to ensure you are not in shock from fluid loss or dehydrated, especially if general anesthesia is used. It is advisable that you stay in Cape Town for around seven days for initial recovery and follow-up checkups. Your surgeon will likely want to see you several times after surgery to remove any stitches, monitor your healing, and answer all of your questions.

How Long is the Recovery Time?

The total recovery time varies from one person to another. In general, you should be able to return to work (if your job is not physically demanding) and do some light activities within 5 to 7 days following your tummy liposuction. You have to avoid any strenuous activities, such as exercise, for a few weeks or until your surgeon gives you the all-clear.

You may experience some slight discomfort following tummy liposuction. The discomfort is usually only noticeable when you are touching or flexing the treatment area. The pain intensity is often described as similar to a light sunburn, and it may feel like muscle soreness after having worked-out too much. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication to help with the discomfort. Besides discomfort, some patients also experience some minor swelling after tummy liposuction, but this should subside quickly.

What Aftercare Should You Consider?

The specific aftercare instructions following tummy liposuction depend on the specific technique used and how your body is responding to the procedure. You will be provided with plenty of aftercare information, so make sure to follow all instructions strictly. While you should avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks, it is not advisable to remain in bed all day. Make sure to take a short walk every day. You should also shower at least once a day and use an antiseptic wash to avoid infection and complications. Your surgeon will tell you how to shower safely following your surgery.

Tummy liposuction will not prevent you from gaining back weight in your stomach. Therefore, it is important that you make healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercise regularly and eat a well-balanced diet, to enjoy the results for a long time.

What is the Success Rate for Tummy Liposuction?

Tummy liposuction is the most common liposuction procedure. It is one of the most effective ways to eliminate stubborn fat from the stomach. Your abdomen should have around 70% less fat cells after the procedure. Tummy liposuction is also known to be a safe procedure as long as a licensed and skilled surgeon performs it. It is important to remember, however, that all forms of surgery carry some possible risks. With tummy liposuction, the possible risks are numbness, contour irregularities, and fluid accumulation. Although very rare, tummy liposuction may also cause infection, fat embolism, and internal organ puncture.

Are there Alternatives to Tummy Liposuction?

If you are not the best candidate for tummy liposuction or you don’t like the idea of going under the knife, there are several alternative options for you. CoolSculpting is one of the most popular alternatives. It involves freezing your fat to remove them from your abdomen. If you have a lot of excess skin and subcutaneous fat in your abdomen area, you may consider a tummy tuck or panniculectomy. In this case, these procedures may even be a better option than a tummy liposuction.

What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?

Before tummy liposuction, you may have some excess fat in your abdomen that cannot seem to be improved even after exercise or diet. This may make some type of clothes look unflattering or make you feel unconfident. After tummy liposuction, you should see a flatter and more proportioned midsection. If you already have well-defined abdominal muscles that form a six-pack but are covered with a layer of fat before the procedure, you may even have a six-pack following the procedure