To get rid of a belly there are two different surgical solutions, depending on what is in excess. If there is only fat, liposuction removes it with fine cannulas and reshapes the silhouette. If there is also sagging skin and a stretched muscle, the solution is abdominoplasty, which treats fat, skin and abdominal wall at the same time. The right technique depends on your case: it is decided at an individual medical consultation.
Fat accumulation in the abdomen bothers both men and women, and for many people it is one of the aspects of their figure they like least. Abdominal fat tends to settle in the classic «spare tire» in men and more often on the hips and thighs in women. The foundation is always the same —a balanced diet and exercise—, but sometimes the belly does not go down even when we lose weight, or the fat loss itself leaves sagging that is hard to recover from. If you are looking for weight loss treatments in Girona together with abdominal reshaping, at the clinic we first assess what predominates in your case —fat, skin or muscle— before proposing any solution.
Liposuction vs. abdominoplasty: what each technique solves
They are not the same procedure and they are not used for the same thing. Choosing well is what makes the difference in the result:
| Liposuction | Abdominoplasty | |
|---|---|---|
| Problema que trata | Only excess localized fat, with good-quality skin | Fat + excess skin + stretched muscle (abdominal wall) |
| How it is done | Fat removal with fine cannulas connected to suction; it barely leaves a mark | Removal of excess skin and fat and repair of the muscle wall |
| Anaesthesia | Depending on the extent of the areas treated | Epidural or general anesthesia |
| Scar | Minimal (cannula entry points) | At pubic level; its length depends on the amount of skin to be removed |
| Result | Reshaped silhouette; several areas can be worked on at once | Flat abdomen, without fat and without muscle distension |
Learn more about each technique in liposuction and in Abdominoplasty in Girona.
When there's only excess fat: liposuction
If the skin keeps good tone and the only excess is localized fat, liposuction is the simplest and most direct solution. The fat is removed through very fine cannulas that barely leave a mark, connected to a suction system, and several areas can be worked on in the same procedure to shape the silhouette harmoniously. The result is effective, permanent and relatively quick to recover from.
If you prefer a less «drastic» option and the amount of fat is small, aesthetic medicine offers alternatives such as «fat-burning» intralipotherapy, carried out in monthly sessions over two or three months depending on the volume to be reduced. It does not replace surgery in significant cases, but it is an option for mild accumulations.
When there is sagging: abdominoplasty
When the muscle has lost tone and the skin its firmness —the abdomen looks soft and stretched, which is common after pregnancies or major weight loss— liposuction alone is not enough. Abdominoplasty addresses the three factors that give an abdomen its volume: fat, excess skin and muscle. The excess skin is removed, the abdominal wall is tightened and the tissue is repositioned, leaving a taut abdomen. It requires epidural or general anaesthesia and leaves a scar at the level of the pubis, the length of which depends on the amount of skin to be removed.
Post-operative period: what to expect during recovery
Although each case is different, in general abdominoplasty involves wearing a compression garment for several weeks to control swelling and guide healing, avoiding exertion and intense exercise for the period indicated by the medical team, and attending the scheduled check-ups. Liposuction usually has a faster recovery, also with a compression girdle. The specific timings, dressings and return to your activity are set by the surgeon depending on the extent of the procedure.
Am I a candidate? How to know which one suits me
As a general guideline, the consultation is guided by what predominates in your abdomen:
- Only fat, firm skin → usually points to liposuction.
- Excess skin, sagging and stretched muscle → usually points to abdominoplasty.
- Weight still far from the goal → first, stabilising weight with a nutritional approach is prioritised.
The final indication is always established by the medical team after examining the skin, the fat and the abdominal wall. See all body cosmetic surgery →
Resolve your case with the medical team
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between liposuction and abdominoplasty?
Does an abdominoplasty leave a large scar?
How much does it cost to get rid of a belly?
Can I treat my belly if I still need to lose weight?
Does the removed fat come back?
Is the post-operative period painful?
Treatments and related units
Explore the treatments for Body Aesthetic Surgery Unit and other areas of the clinic. Filter by area:
Body lipofilling
Filling with your own fat to add volume and harmony to the silhouette.
Buttock augmentation
Reshaping and enhancement of the buttock contour according to each anatomy.
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We serve patients from all over the province of Girona
Our clinic is located in the centre of Girona (Plaça Poeta Marquina, 3) and we regularly see patients from the city and the entire surrounding area and the Costa Brava. If you are coming from further afield, we coordinate appointments to group assessments and tests on the same day.
Plaça Poeta Marquina, 3, 17002 Girona · easy access from the AP-7 and N-II · How to get there and opening times