I am 5'8", 140 lbs, 34-year-old mom of 2, who at 14 weighed 230 lbs. I lost 90 lbs by age 15 and have kept it off for 20 years. I am very active, running 15 miles a week. Despite this, I suffer with loose skin on the abdomen and pockets of fat on my inner thigh. I am interested in a mini abdominoplasty plus Vaser or Smart Lipo to my abdomen and inner thigh area. Can you tell me if I am suitable, what result I might expect, and how much I should be paying? Thank You!
With the amount of weight loss you had, I doubt that laser lipo and a mini-tummy tuck will be helpful. I treat many patients with massive weight loss, and they usually need at least a full tummy-tuck. In the view of your abdomen you appear to have loose skin hanging over your underwear line along the lateral aspect. I suggest you get evaluated for a full tummy tuck.
Given your history you should be very happy with your current body contour. Nothing beats diet and exercise! Having said that, however, you are probably not a candidate for mini tummy tuck and liposuction. Few patients qualify for mini tummy tuck. If you have a small amount of redunant skin in the lower abdomen without separation of the rectus muscles and taught skin above the belly button then you might be a candidate. With your history of weight loss and pregnancy you would be unsatisfied with the results after a mini tummy tuck. With regard to liposuction--this procedure only works as well as the overlying skin is elastic. That is to say, you can remove fat without much difficulty, but the overlying skin needs to shrink. If that skin is not very elastic to begin with (as your pictures depict given the numerous stretch marks), then liposuction is likely to leave you with less fat but more skin redundancy. Therefore, my recommendation is to get comfortable with the idea of a full abdominoplasty. The scar is basically the same as a mini-abdominoplasty and the results would be far superior. Good luck!
Dr. Singer
Although your photo with your arms extended can distort the abdomen and the midrif, I would say that a" good" result might be expected. But remember, with a mini skin excision is minimal and many of your stretch marks will not be removed, nor can your skin be tensioned to minimize the high stria that you have. in my experience over 30 yrs. I think a more satisfying result would be with a full tummy tuck with suction of any type.
As long as you have lost weight and had children, a full tummy tuck is the best option - it is also probably no more expensive than an mini and a laser lipo. Go for the tried and true option. If you see me, I will show you photos of what you can expect.
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