What's the difference between tummy tuck with BBL and liposuction with BBL?

Question

I'm just trying to get a good idea. I hear the results are somewhat the same so I just wanted some clarity. Please help

Kamran Azad, MD · Answer

In terms of harvesting fat for your buttocks with liposuction, the two procedures are the same. The big difference is in the result for a flatter abdomen. Liposuction alone is a great body contouring procedure for a patient with good skin tone and minimal stretch marks. However, if a patient has redundant skin, separation of abdominal muscles, moderate to severe stretch marks, a Tummy Tuck will produce a better result, for the abdominal wall will be reconstructed and loose skin will be removed.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

A tummy tuck with BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) targets the mid-section by reducing fat, tightening skin and repairing abdominal muscle separation if necessary. Fat may be harvested from the mid-section to transfer to your buttocks. Liposuction with BBL doesn’t include any skin tightening or abdominal muscle separation repair in your mid-section.

W. John Bull, MD · Answer

I typically would not do a BBL with a tummy tuck for recovery reasons. I think it is much easier on the patients as well as me, to do the BBL with liposuction first so that as much fat as possible can be used for the BBL, then after recovering come back for a tummy tuck if you still need it. I would suggest waiting 6 months to see if you have loose skin that would be treated with a tummy tuck. The results are not really the same because the BBL adds volume and shape to your buttocks while the tummy tuck really only improves your tummy and waistline, even if both use liposuction. Liposuction is commonly used with a tummy tuck, but has to be used to harvest fat for the Brazilian buttock lift.

Ashley B. Robey, MD · Answer

The tummy tuck is better at improving loose skin of the belly than liposuction. So, if you have loose abdominal skin or separation of your rectus abdominis muscles (or both), you may benefit from a tummy tuck with your Brazilian butt lift. If you have just a little bit of excess fat of your abdomen and/or love handles, then you could probably get great results with liposuction with your BBL. 
So, from the standpoint of your buttocks, the results of are the same. From the standpoint of your abdomen, the results are likely quite different!

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

For patients needing a tummy tuck with BBL, I recommend doing liposuction first to harvest as much fat as possible.  A Tummy tuck is then done to remove excess skin and stretch marks.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Lipo and TT addresses the abdomen and pockets of unwanted fat over various areas of the anatomy; lipo and BBL enlarges and shapes the buttocks with harvested fat from the lipo.Schedule the lipo and BBL first and then the TT three to six months later.  Liposuction would only debulk the fat and would not address any abdomen skin issues. The TT will be the only surgery to address skin laxity in the appropriate fashion.  Liposuction of the back, flanks, sides, and love handles will result in thinner flaps and a waist as small as possible. The fat harvested from the lipo is injected into the buttocks during a BBL.  About 50 to 70% of the fat survives long term.  With a TT,  the stretchmarks to the level of the belly button are generally removed, sometimes more. Fifty percent of the TTs I perform are short scar, which takes about 50% of the scar away below the bikini line. The amount of skin removed in a TT depends upon the surgeon's technique and the patient's tissue characteristics.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Marvin F. Shienbaum, MD · Answer

The main difference between tummy tuck with BBL and liposuction with BBL is whether you need the   excess   abdominal skin removed.    An Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) removes   both fat and the excess skin while liposuction only removes the redundant fat.  If you have bothersome excess skin in your abdominal area you might want to consider a tummy tuck.   Locate an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon in your area and schedule an in-person consultation to have all your options explained to you in order to achieve your desired goals.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

With liposuction fatty pockets are removed via small incisions and a cannula.  For those with no muscle separation or loose skin this is often a great choice.  A tummy will surgically remove excess fat and skin, as well as repair abdominal wall laxity.  Liposuction is sometimes added to enhance contours.  I recommend meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to discuss your goals and determine which procedures are right for you.

Raja Mohan, MD · Answer

There are some key differences between a tummy tuck and liposuction. A tummy tuck involves removal of excess skin and fat deposits from the abdomen/waist. It also involves umbilical re-positioning and tightening of the abdominal muscles in the middle. Liposuction by itself only removes fat. Hope this helps differentiate the two procedures.

David A. Dreyfuss, MD · Answer

In both surgeries, fat needs to be removed and transferred to the buttocks.  With liposuction alone, the fat is removed thru multiple small incisions and the skin shrinks over time.  In many patients, the skin is already somewhat lax, and a skin removal may be necessary to tighten the abdomen.  This usually involves a lower abdominal incision, like a c-section scar, just slightly longer.  The recuperation from a tummy tuck with BBL is longer, due to the incision and possible muscle tightening.  Also you may need a drain for a few days after surgery with a tummy tuck.  Please seek out a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is very familiar with both procedures.