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Can Liposuction Be an Alternative to Tummy Tuck?

I'm a Tummy Tuck candidate, results are likely dramatic, but can't miss work for 2 weeks and have obvious follow-up recovery 1-4 months.

Flat abs would be nice, but not priority compared to hating the hip-to-hip pooch. I'll never be size 8, everywhere else proportional, but bulging tummy makes me unhappy with otherwise acceptable 36 yo, 5'9'', 165 lbs body.

Could Liposuction be done, then assuming more skin hanging post-lipo, just cut skin off without going through trauma of tightening muscles and stretching the skin down? If I'm ok with droopy belly button, still full-ish upper and lower abs, and can accept scar, is procedure like this feasible w/ less recovery time?

Asked 30 months ago by rosemma in Seattle, WA

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age 35-44 belly button hips 150-169 lbs 5 ft 8 in to 6 ft 0 in abs muscle recovery scar skin

Liposuction is probably your best alternative

Liposuction will definitely make a noticeable difference and you will get some skin contraction as well so go ahead and get the liposuction. It is safer and you are back to work in 2 days. You can always get a tummy tuck later if you desire but you would be surprised at how much better your tummy will look with just the liposuction. Liposuction costs run about $6000 for abdomen and sides.

Doctor's Website

David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Liposuction or tummy tuck

It's best to see a qualified physician who can do a full exam and make the appropriate recommendation. In general, many patients can get satisfactory results with just liposuction if they're just concerned with removing excess fat and not requiring the skin to be tight. There is some retraction of the skin after liposuction but not enough to take care of overhanging skin. If your skin has good turgor and recoil (you can tell by pinching the skin between your fingers... more

M. Christine Lee, MD

Walnut Creek Dermatologic Surgeon

They complement each other.

Eack procedure has its own limitations. Liposuction, in general, is not an alternative to tummy tuck. If you were advised to have tummy tuck then liposuction will not give you the shape you want. I see patients who want to substitute tummy tuck with a lesser procedure only to find themselves waisted their time and money and are not happy with their results. I hope that is helpful.

Moneer Jaibaji, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Hard to answer without an examination

The most accurate answer to this question is obtained only after you are examined by the surgeon. If there is minimal fat above the muscle wall then there will be minimal improvement with liposuction. If there is more than an inch of fat that can be pinched between two fingers, you might receive a flatter contour after liposuction, but if the muscle still bulges outwardly, this will not look as good as if you also have the tummy tuck later. Excess skin often retracts after liposuction,... more

Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

Liposuction instead of tummy tuck

Dear Rosemma You obviously have somewhat of a dilemma. It sounds like you want a tummy tuck but don't have the time or the vacation available to recuperate. Some of my patients are borderline candidates for either meaning you could get an ok result with lipo but a better result with a tummy tuck. If it is the thickness of the abdominal wall that bothers you then lipo will help. In many patients the skin shrinkage as a result of the surgery will satisfy them for the time being and later... more

Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Liposuction can be an excellent first step

A bulging abdomen usually has internal and external fat excess. Liposuction will sculpt the external fat and weight loss will reduce internal fat. Liposuction often is followed by good skin retraction. However, a secondary tummy-tuck or just skin excision can be done later. Spread muscles (diastasis recti) of the abdomen are not corrected by liposuction, but are tightened with a tummy-tuck.

Keith Denkler, MD

Marin Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Lesser surgery equal lesser results

Hello, As long as you are OK with the fact that lesser surgery will lead to lesser results, then you are probably OK. You may be setting yourself up for disappointment however. Have a long talk with your surgeon about this one and think about it a while before you have the surgery.