How do I Choose Between Laser Lipo Vs. Tummy Tuck?

asked 8 months ago by Kimmib in Johnson City, TN
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 159 times
Tags: alternative, candidate

I am 43, 5'9", no children, 160 & have no problem with weak abdominal muscles. Currently size 10 but 8 is ideal & proportional except for ab area. Have been as small as 6 w/strict diet and 5 days at the gym, however I still had loose skin an fat due to heredity and weight flux of 20 lbs...although I could do more crunches than my trainer who is a competing bodybuilder....uuugh. Don't want the scar, but sick of having a nice bum & legs from hell w/ a muffin top. :) Hellllp!

11 answers to How do I Choose Between Laser Lipo Vs. Tummy Tuck?

You need to be examined

To best answer this question you would need to be examined. And whoever you choose to go for consultation please check their before/after photo gallery under liposuction (make sure they show you many photos, and that each photo has at least 4 views from each patient - front, quarter turn, profile and back - from under the breast to above the knee so you can see the entire body. Also, look at the tummy tuck sectio of the before/after photo gallery (and make sure they show in... more

Andre Aboolian, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Lipo vs tummy tuck

If your goal is to minimize your scar then liposuction has the power to change your shape with usually inconspicuous scars. If you want to get a tighter skin envelope then you'll need to consider some skin resection accepting the scar as your trade-off. Best bet is to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation. Best wishes

Craig Harrison, MD
Tyler Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction vs tummy tuck

Laser liposuction doesn't provide magic skin shrinkage and so the difference for you since the muscles aren't a problem is how much tighter you need your skin to be happy. A tummy tuck will always be tighter than liposuction. This of course requires an exam for any advice to be made to you.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

LAL vs TT

From your description( athletic, good muscles, little fat, and mild laxity) I would say the laser assissted liposuction will be good choice for you as you ddint have any pregnancies before. although, abdominplasty will give you the best results it has the disadvanatges of long scar and a list of possible complications in compare to the minimally invasive technique with the laser. Having said that, i think the final decision comes after a proper consultion and detailed examination and... more

Fatema S. Alsubhi, MD, SSC-plast
UAE Plastic Surgeon

Laser lipo is not a substitute for a tummy tuck for loose skin

Although laser-assisted liposuction such as "smart lipo" has been proven to help tighten loose skin, the effect is fairly minimal especially compared to a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty.) If you have any noticable skin laxity or stretch marks then a tummy tuck is usually the way to go.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Lipo vs tummy tuck

Although you have given a great description, this type of question requires an exam. Sometimes the answer is easy while other times patients fall into a gray area where one may be a candidate for either. Then one has to review the advantages and disadvantages of the options and make the best decision one can.

Albert Dabbah, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Candidate?

Thank you for the question. It is very difficult to give you good advice without examination or pictures. However, because you state that you have “loose skin and fat” I do not think that liposuction alone will give you the results you're looking for. You also state that you do not want the scar associate with tummy tuck surgery. Sometimes it is better to leave well enough alone and not have any surgical procedure done. If you do choose to have surgery... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Laser assisted liposuction or tummy tuck

Laser-ssisted liposuction offers advances over traditional liposuction such as less bruising, faster recovery, and potentially skin tightening benefits. However, it can not replace the drastic changes seen after a tummy tuck. This becomes as much a individual decision as your sugeon's recommendation. Liposuction or liposculpting can dramatically narrow your waistline, it can not reduce or remove excess skin. In younger patients with excellent skin contraction, this can be a successful... more

Jeffrey D. Hoefflin, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Laser liposuction vs. Tummy tuck

The answer is very simple once you realize a couple of facts. liposuction will not tighten skin in and of itself. If you are young with tight skin before liposuction, then you may get some tightening due to the inherent elasticity in your skin. However if you have loose skin before liposuction then you will have loose skin afterward do not assume that laser liposuction will add any tightening to your skin. It is marketed as such, but there is no convincing scientific well... more

Jay Burns, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck vs liposuction

If you have moderate or greater excess skin and fat, as well as weakness of the abdominal wall muscles then you likely are not a good candidate for liposuction (no matter which technology). Instead, a tummy tuck is the best option. Liposuction is for patients with localized fat and good skin quality.

Steven S. Carp, MD
Akron Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction does not get rid of excess skin

Excess or loose skin can only be treated by removing the excess of it. Liposuction can only reduce bulges that are from excess fat.. After this excess fat is removed, skin excess gets worse. Laser liposuction causes permanaent contour deformities and ripples. It is counterproductive to its objective. I do not recommend laser liposuction to anyone. It should not be done. At age of 40 or above It is common to have tummy skin that... more