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Body Thermage or Tummy Tuck?

I wanted to have a Tummy Tuck until I heard about body Thermage, am I better off putting my money towards Tummy Tuck?

Asked 31 months ago by lilmama in tx

Thermage can't do what a Tummy Tuck can

They're really totally different options. Thermage can help if there's a minimal amount of tightening expected, such as lower lids maybe. Sometimes the pre and postop photos on some of the new technologies out there are really difficult to reproduce. If you've seen Thermage results on an abdomen, I'd be pretty hesitant to expect much. It just has been really underpowered in those areas. If your ABPS board certified plastic surgeon has told you that you are a candidate for a tummy tuck,... more

Doctor's Website

Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Thermage vs. Tummy Tuck for Abdominal Skin

I'll always start off Thermage questions by stating that I don't think Thermage works. I've had any number or surgeons try to sell we their Thermage machines. So that speaks for itself. If there isn't enough skin to be removed surgically then it's tough to get it tightened otherwise.

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Can't compare

Thermage is a noninvasive technology designed to tighten skin. The abdominoplasty operation not only addresses excess skin but it also treats the underlying muscle which is the foundation of the abdominal contour. If your tummy is flat and you have some mild skin laxity then it might be worth looking into. My experience with thermage is the people that need it the least get the most benefit. Dollar for dollar the abdominoplasty will yield the biggest bang for the buck. Good luck... more

Doctor's Website

Robert W. Kessler, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy tucks are for this

Thermage is a waste of money. Save up and have a tummy tuck - you will not regret it. Surgery is the only way to effectively tighten your stomach.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Thermage is not comparable to a tummy tuck

For virtually all women who have had children, tummy tuck is the gold standard for restoring a youthful abdominal contour. Tummy tuck allows for maximal tightening of the abdominal wall muscle, as well as aggressive removal of excess skin and fat. The results of tummy tuck are truly remarkable and dramatic. Thermage can provide some tightening of redundant skin of the abdominal wall, but not nearly to the same extent as a tummy tuck. Although some patients receive benefit from Thermage,... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Thermage for abdomen

Hi! If you have some loose skin around your belly button, and your stomach is otherwise alright, then we have seen good results with Thermage. It is safe and there is no scar, no recovery, and no anesthesia. But of course Thermage will not give you nearly as much correction as a tummy tuck. So it really depends on your anatomy and your expectations.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Thermage cannot achieve the same result as a tummy tuck

Thermage, LuxIR Deep, Titan, Refirme and other non surgical skin tightening machines can only tighten skin about 20% under the best circumstances. They cannot significantly tighten a tummy.The tummy tuck is the only way to achieve a firm tight tummy. Don't waste your money on ThermageSee before and after photos of bikini tummy tuck.

Doctor's Website

Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Body Thermage cannot touch a tummy tuck

The result from Thermage would be so minimal that you would barely notice it. If you are a good tummy tuck candidate, this is the best way to get the tightest flattest abdomen you can have.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Thermage or Tummy Tuck

In my opinion you should consider on a tummy tuck to address your concerns. There is a limited benefit at best with Thermage. It can also sometimes lead to problems that are difficult to correct. Very few, if any, plastic surgeons in a very large plastic community in Louisville offer Thermage. Abdominoplasty, on the other hand, is a proven procedure which will almost always correct the concerns of most carefully selected patients.

John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy tuck is the gold standard

If you are looking for a dramatic change to your abdomen including tightening of your skin and improved cosmetic contour, then tummy tuck is the way to go. If you are looking to go in for several office treatments for a very, very small change in the appearance of your skin, then Thermage may be your answer. There is no question that tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is the gold standard. Good luck.

Doctor's Website

David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Body Thermage vs.Tummy Tuck

Dear Lilmama, Apples and Oranges. The two alternatives are not comparable. Thermage uses heat to purportedly shrink skin. Abdominoplasty, especially a High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty will correct muscle separation, remove defective stretch marks covered skin, flatten the tummy, decrease the waist giving you MORE of an hourglass figure, lift a droopy mons pubis and smooth anterior thigh cellulite. Many plastic surgeons are skeptical of the promises and weary of the complications of... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Buyer beware that Thermage will not tighten your abs!

Thermage may be useful in nonsurgical shrinkage of poor quality abdominal skin around your umbilicus, Thermage can cause skin remodeling but not fascial tightening, so if you have any degree of abdominal muscle splaying because of pregnancy, weight gain, etc. an abdominoplasty will predictably excise excess or stretch mark damaged skin and fat, reshape the umbilicus, tighten splayed abdominal muscles and improve the aesthetics of the pubic area and groin. Review your aesthetic goals and... more

Lavinia Chong, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Skin tightening procedure depends upon your goals

Hello, Thermage is not going to give you the "tight" look of a tummy tuck, but does not require surgery and recovery time. You need to figure what you want and what you are willing to do to get it. To tell you the truth, I would save the money and pass on Thermage as I have not seen great results with it. When people have to preface their evaluations with "at least it didn't require "real" surgery," that is not a great sign.

John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon

You answered your question

Thermage will not address the stretching of the abdominal muscles or excess skin or pannus. If you have loose or hanging skin and distended abdominal muscles You answered your own question. You need an abdominoplasty.