Liposuction and Gastric Bypass Surgery - What's the Difference?

While on the surface, both liposuction and gastric bypass surgery seem to be comparable ways to lose weight; however, the two procedures are very different and suitable for completely different candidates. To understand how the procedures differ in their results, it's important to first understand the nature of liposuction and gastric bypass surgery, including why people turn to them in the first place.

Starting with gastric bypass surgery, it's important to realize this procedure is only for people that are 100 pounds overweight and have been that way for a number of years. If a person meets this initial requirement, the stomach is then surgically cut or tied with a band to shrink it and reduce the amount of food necessary for that person to feel full.

Again, gastric bypass is strictly for weight loss in those people that were once morbidly obese or suffering from weight related health problems. Following the procedure, a person must always adhere to strict dieting and implement regular exercise to shape and tone the areas that have undergone dramatic weight loss. However, additional surgery (such as a tummy tuck) may also be required to remove the excess skin hanging loose from the body.

On the other end of the weight management spectrum is liposuction. Liposuction is best suited for those that seek to remove a small to medium amount of fat, while shaping and toning these same troubled areas for a svelter look. Liposuction is performed by placing a small tube under the skin of the thighs, abs, buttocks, arms, chin or jaw, and the majority of fat cells that exist in that area are then sucked out by a vacuum like instrument.

The removal of these fat cells is initially good for weight loss, as a person will never obtain fat cells again in the area they were removed; however, without proper diet and exercise, the fat will redistribute to other parts of the body.

Unlike gastric bypass surgery, there is no weight restriction to undergo the procedure, nor is strict dieting required to maintain optimal health. The procedure is best suited for those that have tried diet and exercise but can't seem to lose those few stubborn pounds or lumps no matter how hard they try or for those looking to sculpt and shape the waistline or abs.

However, what both gastric bypass and liposuction have in common is that they are invasive medical procedures with very permanent results. It's important for a patient to understand what they will and will not achieve by undergoing either of these procedures to avoid disappointment or wasted medical expenses when the weight issue is not properly addressed.

That's why it's best for those trying to decide between liposuction and gastric bypass to speak to a licensed physician or plastic surgeon to determine which procedure is appropriate for their particular situation. Factors to be considered by the doctor would include a person's current weight, medical history, current medications, lifestyle issues and the desired expectations of a successful liposuction or gastric bypass procedure.

Though liposuction and gastric bypass surgery seem to be similar on the surface as they are meant to lose weight the two procedures are very different and suitable for different candidates. Find a Los Angeles liposuction surgeon with experience in this procedure at http://www.aronowitzmd.com.

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Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck or an abdominoplasty as it is technically referred to be a plastic surgery that aims at tightening stomach muscles and removing lose and sagging skin from the area.

A tummy tuck contrary to common belief is not done to slim down a protruding fat belly, but to remove extra skin after a weight loss or pregnancy. When the abdomen expands beyond a certain limit the external skin and internal abdomen walls are stretched, when the abdomen contracts neither the skin nor the abdomen walls retain complete elasticity and fail to fall back into the original shape. Folds of extra skin develop, which tends to hang as a lose fatty layer.

There are three basic methods involved in tummy tuck surgery, full, modified and endoscopic abdominoplasty. The full method involves surgery and tucking in of muscles above and below the navel, even the navel is re-positioned. The modified method involves only the portion below the navel, the loose skin is stretched down and sewn and the extra flab is removed. Endoscopic abdominoplasty involves making a keyhole incision and pulling the abdominal muscles together and sewing them, making the stomach appear firmer and sliming the waist.

Before the surgery is done, the person is monitored for a few months, stability of weight, proper diet and general good health is required before you are considered a potential candidate. People wanting to slim down by removal of fat are recommended for liposuction not abdominoplasty. Though the process begins with a little liposuction, and could be used to remove small amounts of unwanted fat, it is not the sole purpose of the surgery.

As in all other plastic surgeries the risks involved are scarring, infection, swelling, leaking or collecting of blood or pus and blood clots. Recovery takes a few months and the precautionary methods should be followed strictly to avoid any post surgery complications.

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