What’s the difference between Vaser liposuction and a tummy tuck?

Hello destinylove1,
It’s a pleasure to answer your questions! VASER Liposuction is an advanced body contouring procedure that “selectively” remove unwanted body fat. This method uses minimally-invasive ultrasound technology to emulsify fat while leaving all other important tissues intact, resulting in significant desirable effects with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Consequently, patients recover considerably quicker as they suffer reduced bleeding, bruising and swelling in the treated areas. The shorter recovery time needed for VASER Liposuction makes it very convenient and appealing to my patients, who may return to their regular lives 1-2 weeks after the surgery and sometimes sooner. However, in some cases, VASER Liposuction by itself won’t be sufficient to achieve optimal results. Therefore, depending on the presence of skin laxity and stretch marks, plastic surgeons might suggest getting an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) combined with VASER Liposuction. Abdominoplasty is popular following pregnancy and massive weight loss because it significantly improves the appearance of saggy skin. With  abdominoplasty patients can get rid of excess skin, stretch marks, fat around the abdomen and have their belly button fixed, all in one procedure. After surgery, they will have a firmer, flatter abdomen. You are most likely a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you do not smoke, are in good health (your weight is stable and your Body Mass Index is under 30), and you are finished having children. The muscles that are repaired during an abdominoplasty can separate again during future pregnancy. Generally, downtime for abdominoplasty is double than for VASER Liposuction. Hope this is helpful! Dr. De La Cruz.

These are 2 different approaches to body contouring.  Liposuction, whether ultrasonic assisted, vaser type, tumescent, etc., removes fat with suction, mechanical disruption of fat cells, and possibly ultrasonic or heat induced disruption of fat cells.  Although there can be slight firming of the skin after vaser or ultrasonic liposuction, due to heat induced changes in skin collagen, the amount of firming is limited.  So if you have a significant problem with loose, stretchy skin, with or without stretch marks, then the only way to achieve significant tightening of abdominal skin and muscles is with a tummy tuck.  Rest assured that any extra fat is also removed with the tummy tuck, either by suction or direct excision.  So choose liposuction if your problem is just extra fat, but if you have a lot of loose skin and/or muscle, then choose a tummy tuck with liposuction.

Hello and thank you for this question. The simple answer is that Vaser lipo removes the excess fat and a Tummy Tuck removes not only excess fat, but it removes skin and fat. The TT also tightens the abdominal wall muscles with muscle repair. You get several small incisions with Vaser lipo and you get a larger incision with a TT. A Tummy Tuck can easily be combined with Vaser or Traditional Liposuction. Vaser lipo is different then traditional Lipo because the ultrasound technology helps minimise trauma and bleeding, it helps the skin contract and it helps us better define the structures bellow the skin, like for example when we perform in ab-sketching.In any case the real question you should be asking is if you are candidate for liposuction (Vaser if possible), or if you are a candidate for a TT. Vaser Lipo helps excess skin contract but is not a substitute for a TT on patients that really need one. If you have a pouch or skin folds on your tummy and if you have muscle separation a TT is your best option if you are looking to have the best results possible. And like I said before I combine TT with lipo on almost 100% of my patients. A BBL can be done as well.Best of Luck,Dr. Miguel Mota

Vaser liposuction is a form of ultrasonic liposuction used to remove fat. The stated advantage of Vaser liposuction over standard liposuction is improved skin tone from the ultrasonic energy applied during fat removal. It is just as invasive as standard liposuction. It does not address the muscle separation or hanging skin. A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty typically utilizes some liposuction but focuses more on removing excess abdominal skin and tightening the abdominal wall to prevent bulges. 

Thank you for the question.   
Generally, the tummy tuck operation involves removal of excess skin/adipose tissue of the lower abdominal wall and re approximation of the abdominal wall muscles that may have spread with pregnancies and/or weight gain/loss. Liposuctioning is often used as a tool during the procedure.
Generally speaking, the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable, has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her, is capable of arranging enough recovery time, does not smoke and who has reached a long-term stable weight.
All types of liposuction surgery, on the other hand, refers to operations that essentially suctions out adipose tissue. The operation does not involve any skin removal or re approximation of abdominal wall muscles. The best candidates for liposuction surgery of the abdominal wall are patients with good quality skin elasticity and a moderate degree of diet and exercise resistant adipose tissue superficial to the abdominal wall muscle layer. Patients who are significantly overweight, have significant abdominal wall laxity, and/or have lost a significant amount of skin elasticity are not generally good candidates.
My best suggestion: seek consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience helping you achieve the type of outcome you will be pleased with. Best wishes.

Hello and thank you for your question .  The two are very different from each other.  Liposuction sucks the fat out and tummy tuck is excising(cutting out) excess skin and tissue, tightening the abdominal muscles and I also liposuction the abdomen as well with my tummy tucks.  If you have hanging skin, liposuction is not what you need, it's a tummy tuck.  

Hi. As you stated one is a Tummy Tuck, a procedure design to flatten the abdomen by tightening the abdominal rectus muscles and removing excessive fat and skin from the abdomen, getting rid of all stretch marks between your navel and your mons pubis.. Vaser Lipo is a Liposuction, just the removal of fat deposits of the body contour by a cannula. So they are different procedures to target different things, and both of them can be combined.
International Member of the American Society of Plastic Suregons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)

They are totally different procedures. A tummy tuck will remove excess skin and a VASER procedure will remove excess fat so you really can’t substitute one for the other. Usually we combine liposuction with a tummy tuck to achieve the very best results.

Vasa liposuction can remove fat from underneath the skin however once the fat is removed the skin may become lax. A tummy tuck removes excess loose skin and tightens the abdomen. However when tummy tuck is done extensive liposuction of the middle portion of your abdomen cannot be done safely.