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Is Liposuction Good Enough or Will I Need a Tummy Tuck, Too? (photo)

asked 5 months ago by liddysue in Salisbury, NC
Latest answer by Victor Manuel Perez, MD
Question viewed 268 times
Tags: opinion, recommendation

I can't afford both and don't know which one I should try. I've had one in person consultation and he suggested lipo & tt but I don't know if he's just trying to do more to make more. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!

13 answers to Is Liposuction Good Enough or Will I Need a Tummy Tuck, Too? (photo)

Lipo VS tummy tuck

Dear Liddysue, I need to know more about you: obviously by the stretch marks visible, you have had at least one full pregnancy. but are you finished with your pregnancies ? are you working full time ? If there is also the added variable of budget, I would tell you to only undergo Liposuction over your abdomen and flanks ( actually the entire mid-section ). the +: you will recover faster, and not miss any work time. this will take care of your silhouette, and give you a... more

Florence Mussat, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.fmussatmd.com

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Depending on your life circumstances (for example pregnancies and/or weight loss) and your goals, options will vary. Generally speaking, you will achieve the best results with tummy tuck surgery; this will likely include some liposuction of the flank areas. Selection of plastic surgeon based on experience and quality of work ( not expenses) will give you the best chances of in achieving your goals. est wishes... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction and tummy tuck

You may be a very good candidate for liposuction and a tummy tuck but an exam would be definitive. You can choose one dependiong upon your goals and remember that it possibly would not be ideal.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty vs. liposcution vs. exercise and diet

It is cosmetic surgery so it is not a matter of need it is a matter of what you want, what you can afford and how aggressive a surgery you are willing to undergo. Certainly a liposuction will be beneficial, especially in the love handles area. However, in the abdominal area you have some excess skin with stretchmarks and lax abdominal muscles. Those are best treated by abdominoplasty as long as you do not mind the scar of the surgery. That is the trade off and only you can make the decision... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

You would benefit from liposuction and tummy tuck as your surgeon suggested

The reason for the tummy tuck is the stretched out skin over the lower abdomen and your muscle tone. The reason for the liposuction is the excess fat over the flanks and upper abdomen. Your plastic surgeon is correct and you need both for the best result.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Full abdominoplasty would give best result

Based on your photographs, a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) would give you the best result, removing excess skin but mostly tightening the muscle to give you a flat abdomen. I always liposuction the waist and hips as part of my full abdominoplasty, which really is all you need. Good luck.

Donna Rich, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Lipo or tummy tuck

Difficult decision to help you with without an examination in the office to see if laxity to the muscle wall is present as well ie post pregnancy or weight loss. I think you could probably get a nice result with just liposuction alone, but a good examination will help direct me. get a second opinion where you live to reassure yourself.

Rick Rosen, MD
Norwalk Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction Will Not Help Stretch Marks

Although an exam would be necessary, it appears from your photos that you are a good candidate for a full tummy tuck. This would remove most of the stretch marks on your lower abdomen and generally tighten your abdomen. Liposuction would not improve the stretch marks and might actually make them appear worse.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction or tummy tuck

From the looks of your pictures getting liposuction of your flanks/hip rolls will give you significant improvement. Liposuction of your abdomen may lead to some improvement but may also lead to some skin sag depending upon your elasticity. If you go with lipo only you haven't burned any bridges and can always have the tummy tuck.Hope this helps! Good luck!

Marcel Daniels, MD
Long Beach Plastic Surgeon

Is Liposuction Good Enough or Will I Need a Tummy Tuck, Too?

Although Liposuction and Tummy Tuck are both Body Contouring procedures they are complementary but NOT interchangeable. Liposuction reduced and smoothes down fat deposits while a Tummy Tuck will remove excess tummy skin below the belly button, flatten the tummy and narrow the waist. In my opinion, you would do well by having both but if you cannot afford to you can do it in stages. It appears you have excess fat along your low back and hips which could be smoothed and shaped with... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

You need both

If you were my patient I would recommend for you to get to the best possible weight (5,10, 20 pounds as much as possible in a realistic way) Then you need the abdominoplasty, you will obtain good results for your front view and improvement of the lateral aspect of the flanks. Then in a later procedure if you still worry about the flanks and the back, then you can get liposuction. If you do it the other way around then you will be unhappy because the excess skin of your abdomen... more

Victor Manuel Perez, MD
Kansas City Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck or liposuction

Thank you for your question and the photos. No one can say with 100% certianty based solely on your photos. However, it does appear that you have a significant amount of stretch marks in the lower abdomen along with extra skin. This will not go away with liposuction. So, if you are only able to pick one, then a tummy tuck may be better for you depending on your future plans to have children or not. To be sure what is right for you, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction

You could benefit from both a tummy tuck and liposuction and they could be combined. However, if you are patient and want to actively participate in an optimal result, a staged approach would be the best option. Ideally if you could lose 5-10 lbs. before the abdominoplasty you would obtain a much better result with the muscle repair as well as the removal of excess skin from the lower belly when the tummy tuck is performed. An agressive liposuction could... more