Side by side
| Liposuction | Tummy tuck | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes | Fat under the skin | Loose skin and fat, stretch marks below the navel |
| Muscles | Not touched | Can be stitched back together (full tummy tuck) |
| Scar | A few cuts a few millimetres long | A long low scar from hip to hip, and around the navel for a full one |
| Anaesthetic | Local, sedation or general | General, usually with a night or more in hospital |
| Time off | About a week for a desk job | About four to six weeks off work and exercise |
| Typical cost in Ireland | €2,200 to €7,000 | €5,600 to €7,900 (mini), €8,000 to €12,000 (full) |
Three checks you can do yourself
- Pinch test. Stand up and pinch below your navel. Thick fat with firm skin points to liposuction. Thin, crepey skin that folds over points to a tummy tuck.
- Lean forward. If skin hangs down like an apron, liposuction would make it worse.
- Muscle gap. Lie on your back, knees bent, lift your head and shoulders, and feel above and below your navel. More than two fingers' width can mean separated muscles. The HSE advises asking your GP for a physiotherapy referral if you're worried about it more than eight weeks after a birth.
Both together
Many full tummy tucks include liposuction of the flanks to shape the waist. In Ireland a full tummy tuck with liposuction costs about €10,400 to €11,500. Our sister guide at tummytuckdublin.ie covers the tummy tuck in detail.
Who neither suits
Neither is a weight-loss operation. Surgeons usually want your weight stable for some months first, and both carry more risk if you smoke or are well above a healthy weight.
Questions people ask
Can liposuction tighten my stomach skin?
A little at most. Skin that hangs needs to be removed.
Is a tummy tuck more painful than lipo?
Yes, generally. It's a bigger operation with a longer recovery, and you'll walk bent forward for the first days.
Should I wait until I've finished having children?
For a tummy tuck, yes: surgeons generally advise it, because a pregnancy can undo the repair. For liposuction it matters less, but a pregnancy will still change your shape.