Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Lipo or Tummy Tuck? (photo)

I am 38, 5'1 feet, and weigh 155 pds. I have had three kids naturally. I excercise 5-7 days for 30-40 mins. I can not get the stomach fat down. I was told by one doctor that I can do just a LIPO and 3 others told me that I need tummy tuck (not sure if they were just saying that for the money). Should I do Lipo or Tummy Tuck? Can I do tummy tuck if the Lipo does not do what I want? Can I do breast lift with just Lipo or does it have to be with tummy tuck? I am so confused !!!!

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by sb73

Doctor Answers (14)
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Lipo vs. TT

Thank you for sharing your photos. It appears that you have a significant amount of loose muscle, which can be explained by 3 children. Unfortunately, liposuction will do nothing to address this and I am concerned that a liposuction alone procedure would do very little to enhance your abdominal contour. I think you can expect a very nice change with a tummy tuck, which will address the loose skin and muscle, along with fatty tissue of the flanks. I hope this... more

Thank you for your question and the photos.

Thank you for your question and the photos. A full tummy tuck is likely your best option. To be sure, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a full and complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery. I hope this helps.

Tummy tuck is the best procedure for you

Based on your photos I would recommend a tummy tuck to give you the best contour. The only role for liposuction here would possibly be your flanks (love handles). To do just liposuction of your abdomen would be a mistake and leave you with loose skin and a poor contour. Your abdominal wall needs to be repaired/tightened, and this can only be accomplished with a tummy tuck. I recommend seeking another opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon in your area for a complete exam... more

Liposuction or Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Judging by your photos, you are probably a good candidate for a tummy tuck procedure and possibly a little bit of liposuction around your hip area. Liposuction alone will not give you the results you are looking for because the skin of your abdomen, stretched by multiple pregnancies will not bounce back if just fat is removed via liposuction. A full tummy-tuck procedure will give you much better results, removing excess fat and skin and tightening the whole abdominal area. more

Abdominoplasty vs. liposuction

You can just have liposuction but that does not meet you should or that you would be happy with the result. You can also do liposuction and then have a tummy tuck at a later date as the first does not preclude the second. Your posted photos show a very prominent abdomen but it does not hang down over your undergarment when standing and the belly button is fully visible when standing. That means your abdominal muscles have been stretched out by 3 pregnancies and there is some excess fat... more

Liposuction is not an alternative to tummy tuck

Both liposuction and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are for conditions that do not respond to diet and exercise. If skin tone is good then lipo may be an option, but the photos show that the skin has been stretched quite a bit. In that situation a tummy tuck is the way to go. A plastic surgeon who does both tummy tucks and liposuction will be in the best position to give you honest advice about which one is best for you. Be espaecially wary of advice that laser lipo will tighten the skin enough... more

Hanging skin on the abdomen will not be treated with liposuction

Thank you for your question and photographs. Based on your pictures, you already have hanging skin which may be made worse with liposuction alone. It looks like you would be a better candidate for a tummy tuck. You can have a breast lift with either a liposuction or a tummy tuck. If you try liposuction first and it does not accomplish what you are looking for, you can get a tummy tuck in the future.

You Need A Tummy Tuck

Thank you for your pictures and your question. I would agree with the three plastic surgeons you saw who recommended a tummy tuck, and I would seriously avoid the doctor who suggested liposuction. You have significant muscle separation which will not be improved by liposuction, and much too much skin to shrink up with liposuction. A well done tummy tuck by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon should give you amazing results. Pick you plastic surgeon wisely. Be sure... more

Diet and Exercise first

With a BMI of about 30, you need a good diet first. Then after you have lost about 20 pounds, probably you will be a good candidate for a tummy tuck with a little lipos

A Combination of Tummy Tuck & Liposuction may be Best

Based on your pictures, a combination of liposuction on the side of your abdomen and a tummy tuck may be the best option. Depending on how long the surgery takes, a breast lift may be done also.

Abdominal contouring

Given that you have had 3 kids and based on your photos, I would advise you against liposuction alone. You will likely benefit the most from a tummy tuck procedure with possible lipo of your waist/flanks. A tummy tuck is really the main procedure to reverse post pregnancy changes to your tummy. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon to learn more about your options. Dr. Basu Houston, TX

Tummy Tuck Versus Liposuction-What's Right For Me?

Dear sb73, Thank you for the photos which are worth a thousand words. Based on your photos, you would be a very good candidate for a tummy tuck but a very poor candidate for liposuction. The loose skin of your abdomen will not shrink enough to give a tight, firm appearance and the underlying abdominal muscles which have been stretched and displaced by childbearing will not be addressed at all. These are the problems that are best addressed with an abdominoplasty with or... more

Lipo or Tummy Tuck?

Thanks for the question and the photos. As you can see in your photos and I'm sure live in front of a mirror, you have a considerable amount of overhanging skin. That amount of excess pretty well guarantees and unsatisfactory result with liposuction, even with use of skin shrinking technology. In addition, you have considerable laxity in the abdominal wall that can be improved by a tummy tuck, and that problem is not addressed by liposuction. Those three surgeons are suggesting... more

Hello

From your pictures it looks like you’re a great candidate for a full tummy tuck it’s not only fat but muscle damage. Liposuction will not give you the flat tummy you’re looking for. Good Luck