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Will I Get Good Results from a TT Even Though I Am So Thin? (photo)

A TON of the before and afters are of women who are not very thin, it looks amazing because they are such a dramatic difference. I am 115 pounds and 5'5. I have gained and lost 80 pounds with pregnancies. I have been to two consults and they say I need a small vertical scar. I have stretch marks above the belly button so I know I cant the exact result I hoped for which was smooth mark free skin. I am hoping for a flat, very toned looking tummy. From my pics do you think this is possible?

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stretch marks 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in 110-129 lbs after weight loss

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20 Doctor Answers | Asked by Jennifer6645

Doctor Answers (20)
Community Comments (1)

A full TT provides maximal muscle and skin tightness.

A full Tummy Tuck will give you the best opportunity for firm abdominal musculature with minimal skin redundancy. There is no substitute. Hopefully, the resultant scar can be positioned low enough to be hidden within the bottom half of a two piece bathing suit. If a vertical component is in fact necessary this may extend above the suit negating some the benefits of the full TT. You might also consider a mini or modified TT that removes only your lower skin excess but guarantees a low... more

There is typically no need for a vertical scar after a tummy tuck. Major reduction in stretch marks.

First of all, you are a great candidate for a tummy tuck. All the stretch marks below your belly button will be gone of course and the remaining ones will be moved down. You are at ideal body weight and can expect a flat tummy afterward, witht he muscle repair, and no loose skin. The vertical scar tends to be unsightly. It is possible to keep the scar low down within your bikini line and avoid a vertical scar. This involves flexing the operating table in surgery... more

“Thin” Patient Candidate for Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Yes, I think you will be an excellent candidate for tummy tuck surgery. As you know, this operation will serve to remove the “excess” skin of the lower abdominal wall and help improve the contour of the abdominal wall significantly. The muscles that have spread with pregnancies and/or weight gain will be re- approximated. Given your body type, I can understand why the vertical scar was mentioned during the consultations... more

Full tummy tuck would provide a very nice result

Hello, Thank you for the question and photos. The main component of a tummy tuck is to remove excess skin laxity which your photos also show that you have. You may need a small vertical incision to close your prior belly button location but this will be a negligible scar if needed. I think you would still benefit from some liposuction of the flanks to feather in the tummy tuck result as well as abdominal wall tightening. All the best, Dr Remus Repta more

Tummy tuck for thin people

Normal weight people with loose extra abdominal skin are the best candidates for tummy tuck. You don't have to have a vertical scar, but your surgeon will be able to get things tighter by adding the vertical scar. see video

Tummy tuck in a thin patient

Thank you for your question and pictures. Based on your photos, it appears that you would be an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck. It looks like you will get a very flat tummy but will be left with some stretch marks. You probably will have a small vertical scar because the distance from your belly button to your lower abdominal scar is long and the skin from the upper abdomen won't stretch that far. Good luck!

Thin and having a tummy tuck

You look like you will have a great result. Whether or not you need the vertical scar is not absolute. It is very important that it was explained to you that a vertical scar is possible. Most thin patients with excess skin get a great result and a flat belly with a tight waist line. Good Luck

TT in slender patient

You should expect a nice result. The reason that a vertical scar may be needed is that the skin from the sternum to the navel will not reach all the way down to the lower TT scar, and hole made around the original navel would need to be closed in the lower position. That is probably the best option, but without being able to see the upper abdomen on the photos, I couldn't exclude alternatives: leaving the upper abdomen alone if it is not loose lowering the navel a... more

Will I Get Good Results from a TT Even Though I Am So Thin?

Your profile looks better than the front, but the front looks like a good indications of TT, to treat skin, fat, and the muscle if it is necessary.

Tummy tuck

You are a great candidate for a tummy tuck. The surgery will not get rid of all the stretch marks, but will remove most of them. I disagree that your will need a small vertical scar. Your surgery should be able to be performed without the vertical portion. Maybe the surgeons are telling you that it is a possibility and not a certainty. Your case is pretty typical and in cases like yours, I have never needed to include a vertical scar.

Excellent candidate fo Tummy Tuck

You seem like an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck...being thin is an advantage and I believe that all Plastic Surgeons would love to have the majority of their patients look like you because of the amazing results you can expect. You will need extensive undermining of the abdominal wall and acute flexion of the Operating Room table during the procedure to pull the abdominal skin down. Post-operatively, you should maintain a bent posture at the hips for several days... more

Tummy Tuck on Thin Patients

Some of the best results I have seen with a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) have been on thin patients. From your photos, you are an ideal candidate. You should be able to avoid a vertical scar if the surgeon undermines the skin from your belly button to your sternum. It will be tight, but this is temporary. The vertical scar is actually your original belly button moved down. In my opinion, this can be avoided by pulling the skin above your belly button all the... more

Thin Patients Actually Get Best Results From Tummy Tuck

I think that you are likely to get a very nice result from a tummy tuck. Tummy tucks lead to better results in patients who are at or somewhat under "normal weight". I cannot tell from your photo if a small verical scar would be required.

Tummy Tuck Results for a Thin Patient

Based on your pictures, I think you would have a great result with a tummy tuck, and perhaps a little liposuction in the flank area. Most (but not all) of your stretch marks could be eliminated along with the loose skin. Be sure to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Will I Get Good Results from a TT Even Though I Am So Thin?

Thanks for the posted photos. And yes I agree with the two opinions in person you obtained as to a small vertical scar.

Tummy tuck for thin woman

From the photos you appears to be a great candidate for tummy tuck. Because you are thin and does not have any significant amount of fat around the waist areas, you probably do not need liposuction as part of the tummy tuck. There should be enough loose skin so you wouldn't end it up with small vertical scar. Most of the stretch marks would be resected and what remain will be place at the lowest part of your abdomen. Find an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to help you achieve... more

Tummy tuck

Dear Melissa, Thanks for submitting your picture, however they reveal only the lower abdomen , so it is difficult to give you an appropriate answer. From your description and picture , you appear to be an ideal patient for tummy tuck. Since you have minimal amount of inta abdominal fat , your muscles tightening can be optimal and give you a real flat stomack. You might end up with a small vertical scar in the mid lower abdomen if the skin of the upper abdomen... more

Tummy tuck for a thin patient

I find that thin patients get excellent results from abdominoplasty. There is a real misconception that this is a full-figured patient's operation and that is simply untrue. I don't think you need a vertical scar. The incision can be placed in your panty line to make it as invisible as possible.

Tummy tuck with or without vertical scar

Hi, Here is the deal. You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck and liposuction to make the curves more attactive. It is not the weight that is important. It is the contour. Yours can use some help even though you are small. The vertical scar that you are being told about is because the skin above your naval has to be pulled down to the incision and sometimes it does not allow the hole that was placed in the skin being redraped to come down far... more

Great Candidate for Abdominoplasty

You are the ideal candidate for an abdominoplasty! When performing an abdominoplasty, we typically address three things: excess skin, muscle laxity, and excess fat under the skin. Each person is a bit different, especially with regard to how much (if any) fat removal is needed. Our goal is to get a flat, tight stomach- which I expect you could expect to see as well. With regard to the vertical scar, If you have adequate laxity above your belly button, there will not be a... more

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Comments (1)

Jennifer6645 8 Nov 2012

Thanks both plastic surgeons said I do not have anything to lipo on the sides when they examined me they said is was skin only. Should I keep looking for a surgeon who will so lipo on sides?

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