Fat, skin or muscle
Liposuction treats fat under the skin. It doesn't remove an overhang or stretch marks, and it doesn't repair a gap in the muscles after pregnancy. For those, a tummy tuck costs €5,600 to €7,900 (mini) to €8,000 to €12,000 (full); our sister site, tummytuckdublin.ie, helps you tell which you need. The fat deep inside the abdomen, around the organs, can't be reached by liposuction at all.
Not for you if
- you can't pinch much fat, and the belly is firm and round (that's mostly internal fat)
- your weight is still going up or down
- the real problem is loose skin, not fat
- you smoke and can't stop before surgery
- you're pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy soon
After a baby
Give your body time: the HSE says the gap in the tummy muscles after pregnancy can take up to six weeks, and sometimes longer, to reduce, and advises asking your GP for a physiotherapy referral if you're worried after eight weeks.
Recovery
After a general anaesthetic you need an adult to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. An abdominal garment for several weeks, desk work in about a week, gentle exercise at three to four weeks, core work and lifting at ten to twelve with your surgeon's agreement.
Risks
Bruising, swelling for up to six months, numbness for six to eight weeks and small scars are normal. Less often: uneven or lumpy results, a collection of blood or fluid, infection, skin colour changes, or a reaction to the anaesthetic. Rarely: a blood clot that travels to the lungs, fluid on the lungs, or injury to an internal organ.
Ask the surgeon
- Is my stomach fat, loose skin, or a gap in the muscles? Would a tummy tuck suit me better?
- Will you treat my love handles and stomach together so my waist looks balanced?
Questions
Will stomach lipo flatten my mummy tummy?
Only if it's fat. Loose skin and separated muscles need a tummy tuck, and physiotherapy first for the muscles.
Stomach and love handles together?
Yes, it's the most common pairing: €3,000 to €7,000 in Dublin.