As many people know, a tummy tuck removes the excess abdominal skin that can limit your wardrobe options and make you self-conscious when exercising or even getting undressed in front of a partner. But can it create a “snatched waist”—a narrow waistline that accentuates your trim, toned body?
How much a tummy tuck alone can reduce your waist size depends on your specific concerns. Patients with excess fat, abdominal muscle laxity (diastasis recti), and surplus skin typically need to combine a tummy tuck with liposuction to get the desired results.
What Happens During a Tummy Tuck?
A full tummy tuck removes excess skin both above and below the bellybutton. Dr. Mosher also tightens lax abdominal muscles that can create a belly pooch. During the procedure, Dr. Mosher makes an incision around the bellybutton and pushes it down. Then he makes a horizontal incision along the abdomen just above the pubic area and elevates the flap of tissue to expose the abdominal muscles.
After repairing the 6-pack muscles by suturing them tight, he pulls down on the skin and removes the excess. Dr. Mosher then creates a new opening for the bellybutton and makes it appear natural. Finally, he meticulously closes the incision along the abdomen to ensure the scar is as straight as possible.
What Happens During Liposuction?
Liposuction addresses excess fat and has no direct effect on loose skin. It is an excellent option for contouring your waist if you’re at or near the weight you intend to maintain and your skin retains most of its elasticity. During liposuction, Dr. Mosher makes small access incisions and infiltrates a mixture of saline and epinephrine, which is designed to reduce bleeding and bruising. He then uses a long rod called a cannula to extract the excess subcutaneous fat. You can read more about which body contouring procedure is right for you in our earlier blog post.
Combining Liposuction With a Tummy Tuck
Even though a tummy tuck alone reduces the size of your waist, including liposuction during the procedure sculpts a tighter, contoured waistline. During a tummy tuck, Dr. Mosher may use power-assisted liposuction (PAL) to remove fat from the flanks and upper abdomen. The PAL technique breaks up fatty tissue with a vibrating cannula so the surgeon doesn’t have to move the thin tube back and forth vigorously. This enables him to remove more fat in a shorter time, and it’s gentler.
When performed by an experienced, Royal College-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Mosher, the combination of a tummy tuck with liposuction creates an attractive, hourglass shape that enhances your overall figure. In some cases, patients combine the body contouring procedures with breast augmentation with or without a breast lift. This combination surgery is especially popular among women after they’ve had children.
Maintaining Your Results
After getting a narrower waist and flatter tummy by combining a tummy tuck with liposuction, you can maintain those results by regularly exercising, consuming a nutritious diet, and leading an overall healthy lifestyle.
If you are looking to improve your midsection and slim your waist, start by looking for a body contouring specialist certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. You can request a consultation with Dr. Mosher at our Langley, BC, practice using the online form or by calling us at (604) 888-9378 to schedule an appointment.
Updated February 2025
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