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Study Confirms What Women Know: Tummy Tuck + Liposuction = Extreme Satisfaction

Posted April 11, 2012 in Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover, Tummy Tuck

A Woman’s Perspective
By Sherri Roberts

For those of us who work with cosmetic plastic surgery patients, a new study which reports the combination of tummy tuck surgery and liposuction has a soaring satisfaction rate of more than 99 percent comes as no surprise.

Almost without exception, Dr. Patronella’s patients who undergo this procedure combination express unabashed elation about their new look. Though they expected to feel better about the way they look in and out of clothes, they often are amazed at how far-reaching this positive aesthetic change translates to their self-image and zest for life.

As Gail, age 54, a teacher and mother of two college students noted, “I’ve always been a confident person—I was a ballerina in high school, so I had good posture, a proportionate body, and I carried extra weight well.” But despite working out, she still had loose abdominal skin and a tummy pooch, and she wanted to be “smaller and more lifted.”

After making the decision to have tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Patronella to restore the svelte contour of her abdomen, along with breast surgery and a body lift to obtain a firmer, shapelier appearance in areas that had begun to sag due to the effects of childbirth, aging, and gravity, Gail said, “ I now have a better body than I did before having children!”

The change, she commented, has been life-changing in a lot of subtle ways, “It’s the confidence you have when you walk into a room,” men approaching her to strike up a conversation when she goes out, and the fun of shopping for clothes that you know you’re going to look smashing in. “I have a spectacular, new wardrobe with more fitted and stylish clothes, whereas, before, everything I wore was loose and flowy,” she said.

Like Gail, 86 percent of the 360 patients who took part in the study, which was published in the April 2012 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said they experienced a boost in self-esteem, and 70 percent reported a higher quality of life after surgery. And if they had it to do all over again, would they? A resounding 98 percent responded, “Yes!” And  99 percent would recommend it to others.

Gail agreed, “I had a good life before surgery, but this change just enhanced it and made  it even greater.”

Can I Get Liposuction With My Tummy Tuck?

For every person who is unhappy with their poor abdominal skin and muscle tone, there’s at least one other person who is bothered by excess fat on their midsection. Many people struggle with all three issues and would like to correct skin laxity, muscle weakness, and excess fat. If you would like to restore youthful abdominal tone, remove sagging skin, and eliminate excess fat, you can get liposuction with tummy tuck surgery. Dr. Patronella’s revolutionary True Form Tummy Tuck®, which has received much acclaim, typically incorporates liposuction to restore youthful and shapely body contours.

Liposuction of the Waist

Patronella Liposuction patientThe abdomen and waist can accumulate excess amounts of fat that do not respond to diet or exercise. This makes surgery the only viable form of correction, but unfortunately, too many surgeons become overzealous in administering liposuction to the abdomen. Just as a poor abdominoplasty technique produces a surgically flat appearance, overaggressive liposuction creates an unnatural appearance and irregular body contours.

However, with the proper application, skill, and experience on the part of the surgeon, liposuction can be a powerful tool. Liposuction of the waist can eliminate bulges or rolls of fat on the body’s midsection and create natural-looking contours. Leaving fat in the correct proportions and locations creates a more attractive and soft body shape instead of an unnatural, overdone, and operated-on appearance. Dr. Patronella focuses on producing ideal contours rather than trying to remove as much fat as possible. The results are more artistic and natural and reveal an attractively slimmer and narrower waistline.

Liposuction With the True Form Tummy Tuck®

To complement the True Form Tummy Tuck®, Dr. Patronella often performs liposuction to achieve a natural-looking waist that is narrow, graceful, youthful, and nicely contoured. Liposuction is used to create natural transitions with a gracefully contoured waistline and a more natural appearance. Dr. Patronella removes excess fat around the waist where needed to minimize love handles, eliminate a muffin top, create a gentle tapering toward the hips, and strategically highlight the natural contours and definition of the abdominal muscles.

Popular Liposuction Areas With Tummy Tuck Surgery

Many patients who undergo tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Patronella receive liposuction on other areas of the body in addition to the waist. The most popular treatment areas include the hips, buttocks, thighs, back, and upper arms. These areas are often resistant to body sculpting through exercise and dieting. Receiving liposuction for your specific “trouble areas” can highlight the results of your abdominoplasty and restore youthful and shapely contours all over your body.

If you are interested in getting liposuction with your tummy tuck, come meet with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Chris Patronella. As the creator of the True Form Tummy Tuck® and an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Patronella can help you decide whether and where to receive liposuction so that you can achieve the youthful, natural, and attractive body contours you desire. To request your consultation with Dr. Patronella, please call (713) 575-1996 or complete our online contact form today.

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