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How to Get Rid of Pregnancy Fat?

i have 3 kids and a doc i saw says i need a tummy tuck. i was given a lot of steriods during all 3 pregnancies and full bed rest. i dont want to be perfect, only shaped up. my main concern is the pubic area and the hips. no matter what i do i can not lose these areas. would smartlipo help with these issues and be less costly? should i try regular lipo and eat the cost? or maybe i should just continue not be happy with my reflection a little longer until the cost come down?

Asked 43 months ago by the niffer in cincinnati ohio
Sort 38 expert answers by:
+2

Save up for a tummy tuck

For patients having multiple difficult pregnancies, especially requiring steroids, there is likely to be a great deal of extra skin. Steroid therapy can also cause the deep layer to loosen. The best and most satisfactory way to remove skin and tighten the deep layer is via a tummy tuck. Your best bet is to save up and have the tummy tuck rather than lipo alone. Lipo techniques do not significantly tighten this type of skin, and do nothing for the deep layer (fascia). They may actually... more
Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+4

Pregnancy Fat Deposits

First, nothing is better than diet and exercise. The problems after pregnancy include the bulge of the abdominal muscles, excess fat, and excess skin. Unfortuneately, if the muscles are stretched apart, also known as rectus diastasis, no amount of exercise will completely correct the problem. Surgical correction by abdominoplasty or mini-abdominoplasty is required. The choice of abdominoplasty or mini-abdominoplasty is usually dictated by the amount of excess skin.
Richard P. Glunk, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
+4

Best to save for the tummy tuck

If a patient has enough skin laxity and excess that they need a tummy tuck, they will NOT be happy with the results of liposuction - traditional, Smart or otherwise. When this is the case, it is a waste of your hard earned dollars to do a procedure that won't work for you. You would be best under these circumstances to save your money and budget for the tummy tuck operation. The costs might currently be as low as they will get - many offices are offering surgery at reduced rates because of... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+4

Healthy, stable lifestyle, then a reputable plastic surgeon

I always advocate a healthy stable lifestyle before considering cosmetic body-contouring. Get in the best shape, best eating and exercise habits you and that you can sustain. If you still have contour issues that are solely fat related, as long as they are relatively localized, well-delineated and combined with relative good quality skin, liposuction by whatever method your surgeon is comfortable with may be a reasonable alternative. Do not be swayed by a particular machine, patented... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+3

Post Pregnancy Fat: What's Best

The significant changes that pregnancies cause to the skin and muscle of the tummy can exceed what can be improved with diet and exercise. Your history of steroid medication is an important element and you must discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Liposuction procedures will remove excess fat, but will not significantly reduce excess skin. Consult with a plastic surgeon who can tell you if liposuction or tummy tuck is the better alternative for your situation.... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck after pregnancy

After pregnancy you can often have stretched out skin and altered distribution of fat. In most cases a tummy tuck combined with liposuction is the best procedure. In this procedure, we can tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the extra skin. Some patient choose to have a breast augmentation with or without lift at the same time. Good luck.
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Lipo or tummy tuck for pregnancy fat

Of course no one can give you specific advice without seeing you, but given your history of steroid use it seems very likely that the skin has lost elasticity with pregnancy weight gain. In that situation, there is no magic laser that will tighten the skin with lipo so a tummy tuck is almost certainly your best choice. Be aware that marketing pitches for the laser lipo procedures often tout it as an alternative to a tummy tuck, thoughit only rarely gives similar results when the skin is lax. more
Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Pregnancy fat

You should not determine which procedure you will have because of the cost. If you are going to proceed with plastic surgery to enhance your aesthetic appearance and confidence, you should have the correct procedure done, whatever that may be. Many women following childbirth will benefit from an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to get rid of excess skin and fatty tissue and to reconstruct the loose abdominal wall muscles. Having said this, there is the rare woman who will have excellent skin... more
Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

Steroids, Pregnancy, and Stress can affect the abdomen: Planning tummy tuck abdominoplasty

Stress, pregnancy, hormones, and steroids can all affect the anterior abdominal wall.  If you presented to my office, I would encourage someone in your position to maximize their exercise regimen, reduce stress, reverse the effects of steroids with Vitamin A, and wait 6 months for your skin to recover. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Cost influencing surgical choice

Thanks for your question Niffer - You bring up a crucial point regarding cosmetic surgery. What do you do when you can't afford the surgery that you want or that your doctor recommends? Many individuals in your situation will shop around - this can be a good way to research your options and make sure you've found the right plastic surgeon for you. However, be careful - trying to "get the best bargain" can lead you to practitioners that are under qualified or inexperienced which... more
Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Liposuction or Abdominoplasty, that is the question

The most important thing one has to realize, whether you are the patient or the doctor, is what is the goal when choosing between these two surgeries as there are different indications for both. If the patient's concern is simply related to problem areas of excess adipose (fat) that don't respond to diet and excersize then Liposuction may be the appropriate answer. If the patient is looking to restore her pre-pregnancy figure and is dealing with excess skin and lax abdominal muscles, then... more
Eric A. Marchant, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
+1

The hips and the pubis after pregnancy- lift and thin

Thanks for your question. You should always do your best to loose weight after pregnancy through diet and exercise. Unfortunately, sometimes doing everything right just doesn't solve all areas. If your skin has been stretched from pregnancy and the pubic area is saggy weight loss can make it worse. If the skin is loose liposuction regaardless of type may make it looser. Hips are sometimes the last to go as they are a diet resistant fat. If you embark... more
Adam Tattelbaum, MD
Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post pregnancy abdomen

If you have sagging skin, then a tuck would be required. If, instead, your skin tone is fine but you have an area of excess fat, then liposuction would be reasonable. I do not hink that SmartLipo would provide any better result than tumescent liposuction nor should the price be very different. It is very important to be at a stable weight with which you are comfortable before any surgery and that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Get Rid of Pregnancy Fat?

Thank you for the question. My suggestion would be to continue your diet exercise program until you are close to a stable weight. Then meet with several well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons for in person examination and advice. Next, undergo the procedure that will achieve the results you're looking for. Do not select a procedure based on costs. If necessary postpone the procedure until you're able to afford the procedure that will achieve the results you... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Getting rid of fat after pregnancy

When it is okay with your obstetrician I suggest the best way to lose fat after pregnancy would be to go on a diet and exercise program. There are alot of good exercises that you can do after pregnancy to tighten the abdominal muscles and to get rid of abdominal fat. If after you lose the fat, the skin is still loose and has stretch marks, then you may need a tummy tuck. see video
James Tang, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction vs. Abdominoplasty

If you have excessive abdominal skin, an abdominoplasty is typically the best procedure. Liposuction is great for contouring but  the amount of skin tightening will be based, in large part, on the elasticity of your skin.  Upon consultation and examination a board certified plastic surgeon would be able to recommend  the treatment option which would best address your concerns. Best wishes!
Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Losing the pregnancy fat

Without examining you in person, it is hard to comment whether you will need tummy vs. liposuction.  Liposuction is a good way to get rid of excess fat.  However, if you have excess skin, stretched out skin (with stretch marks), stretched out muscle after pregnancy, I do not think any type of liposuction will give you a good result.  You should definitely go with your plastic surgeon's recommendation.  If you are not sure, get a second opinion from another board... more
Sugene Kim, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

SlimLipo works best!

Localized areas of fat with stretched skin respond best to the SlimLiposuction treatment.  This laser has two wavelegths; one melts the fat and the other tightens the skin.  Patients post-partum have been very pleased with results.
Marisa Lawrence, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is for contouring

Sometimes no matter how fit you are, you can have fat pockets that don't go away.  Liposuction isn't a method of weight loss, but is a method of contour improvement.  A consult with computer imaging might help.  Regardless of the brand of liposuction machine utilized, I think your primary concern should be the surgeon's skill and experience.
Mario Loomis, MD
Middletown Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck or not?

I have found through my 22 years in practice that the typical answer to post child birth bodies is excess skin and fat. The female body goes through a lot during pregnancy. It sounds like you had quite an experience and I am sorry. If you are a good candidate for liposuction then I encourage you to choose ultrasonic liposuction. The cost is worth it.  If a tummy tuck is the answer for you right now is a great time to do it. Costs are down because of the state of the... more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

You can't shrink skin significantly (including Smart Lipo).

If significant skin is part of your problem after pregnancy, only an abdominopasty will help you.  Naturally, your other choice is to do nothing.  I would not waste my time, money, and discomfort on anything in between.  Now, I admit that I am speaking generally not having seen a picture of you, but I can say unequivocally that if you have an excess of skin that bothers you, my initial remarks apply.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction and tummy tuck for mommy makeover

Loose skin, loose muscle, and some residual fat are common after multiple pregnancies. A tummy tuck will remove the excess skin and tighten the belly area, while liposuction can remove fat from areas where excess skin does not need to be removed. These two procedures in combination will most likely give you the best result. ('regular' liposuction is just as effective as SmartLipo in removing fat, don't get hooked be the great marketting name of SmartLipo) Sincerely, Martin... more
Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

A tummy tuck will help you get your pre-pregnancy figure back

Thank you for the question! SmartLipo is great to treat small amounts of fat in limited areas but will not produce the great results you're looking for in these larger areas. Liposuction is a great way to remove fat but your skin needs to be closely evaluated to make sure that it has enough elasticity to contract afterwards. If you have extra abdominal skin or if your skin has stretch marks, a tummy tuck would provide the best results in a post-pregnancy abdomen. Best- Pat Pazmino, MD,... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Plastic surgery after pregnancy. Usually skin is the issue.

Great question. I would say after 3 kids and considering your areas of concern either a tummy tuck combined with liposuction (not smart lipo) or a body lift to address your outer thighs would be the answer. The fact that a plastic surgeon has already discussed this with you, then it sounds appropriate. Be careful trying to do an easier, less expensive procedure because it will unlikely deliver the results you would like, and you may find yourself back getting the procedure you needed in the... more
Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tighter versus Thinner

If you are looking for the area to become "thinner" then lipo may do it. If you want it "tighter" as well, then a tummy tuck is your best bet. Lipo alone doesn't really tighten anything. Smartlipo tightening is very inconsistent. Best Regards.
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
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