Tummy tuck vs laser skin tightening

Steven Wallach, MD answers: Tummy Tuck vs Laser Skin Tightening for minimal loose skin after pregnancy

I've had three children via C-section, and a hysterectomy. I am 5'2 and 112 pounds and exercise a few times a week. Although my stomach looks flat when I am standing up, I have skin that hangs down when I bend over, with a few stretch marks that make it look gross. Would laser skin tightening be effective, or would I need a Tummy Tuck to correct this?


Steven Wallach, MD
9 months ago

If you have had a few kids, previous c-sections, and loose hanging skin, then you are probably better off having a tummy tuck. The skin tightening lasers give about a 15-20% improvement of the skin at most!

 

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A: Laser Skin Tightening does very Little!

Robert M. Freund, MD
10 months ago

Do not waste your money. Laser skin tightening does little but line the pockets of your doctor and the laser company. If you are not a candidate for a tummy tuck, perhaps a mini-tuck is right for you. See a well-trained plastic surgeon for a better opinion.

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A: Tummy tuck if probably your best choice

David Shafer, MD
10 months ago

Kygurl,

While laser skin tightening is effective (especially Smartlipo MPX on blend 1) it is not comparable to abdominoplasty in terms of the degree of tightening.

In abdominoplasty, we can stretch your skin like a drum. With laser skin tightening, you are depending on the contraction of the collagen to tighten the skin. If you have "hanging skin," then the only way to go is with tummy tuck. Good luck with your surgery.

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A: The tummy tuck is the way to go

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
10 months ago

We are all looking for an easy way to tighten the belly after children. Laser sounds good but is inefective. A tummy tuck tightens the muscles that have been stretched out from the child bearing and the excess skin is removed.

This is a terrific operation and gives excellent results in the hands of a well trained, board certified Plastic Surgeon.

If you go for laser, ask them for a money back guarantee if the skin does not tighten up.

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A: Thermage will tighten abdominal skin

George J. Beraka, MD
10 months ago

To kygurl,

Hi!  We have seen really good results with Thermage in the stomach area. Thermage is a non-invasive one time treatment that is very safe. There is no anesthesia, no recovery, and no scars. We have gotten improvement in everybody, but the improvement can range from the dramatic to the pretty subtle.

If you only have a moderate amount of skin, it is worth trying. For a lot of skin, you will do best with a tummy tuck.

I don't believe that "laser skin tightening" works.

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