Tummy Tuck: Q&A

Ask a Question

Liposuction or Tummy Tuck?

I am a 53 yr. old woman, 5'8" and weigh 175 lbs. I am having a hard time deciding between liposuction or a tummy tuck for my "belly rolls" any suggestions?

Tags:

Comment on this

20 Doctor Answers | Asked by B.B. in South Carolina

Doctor Answers (20)
Community Comments (0)

Lipo or Tummy Tuck?

Liposuction and tummy tucks are procedures which were designed for different problems. Excess fat under the skin is well treated by liposuction. Excess skin of the abdomen and loose muscles are best treated with a tummy tuck. From your age, height and weight I would suspect that you have a bit of both problems...hence the dilemna. Liposuction alone would remove the excess fat and perhaps leave you with some loose skin or contour irregularites. A tummy tuck alone would... more

Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction

Without photos of your exact condition, I can only offer general information, but the condition and amount of your abdominal skin will determine whether just liposuction alone or with a tummy tuck would give you the best result. Liposuction works best when the skin is pretty firm without much excess, and so after suction removal of fat, the skin flattens back against the deeper layers of your abdominal wall. If the skin is too loose, such as when you notice real belly rols... more

Tummy tuck or liposuction?

Without photos, my assessment is just a calculated guess, but at 5 ft 8 inches and 175 pounds and 53 years old, I would think you would be better served with a tummy tuck. It's best to think of a liposuction as a procedure for removing fat, although some tightening of skin does occur. If you have excess skin with stretch marks, which indicates a loss of elasticity, or skin overhanging your lower abdomen, or even if the skin is more than a liposuction will tighten, you would be... more

Tummy tuck vs liposuction

This is difficult to answer without seeing photos, but basically if you have loose, excess skin with stretch marks then a tummy tuck is best. If you have good skin tone and elasticity with minimal stretch marks, then liposuction may improve your contour. Due to your age, I would suspect a tummy tuck with perhaps some liposuction to the flanks (love handles) would give the best result, but you will need to consult with a plastic surgeon in person for a detailed examination and evaluation... more

Tummy tuck or liposuction

If you have fullness in the area of the abdomen with tight skin, liposuction alone will give a nice shape. On the other hand, if your abdominal skin is loose or hanging, usually after pregnancy or large weight loss, an abdominoplasty (which removes the excess skin) is the only way to get a really nice looking shape. Frequently after pregnancy, abdominal muscles are loose. The abdominoplasty tightens loose muscles to allow a much flatter abdomen. "Belly rolls" frequently refers to extra skin... more

Tummy tuck or lipo

Without photos it is impossible to say which procedure is better for you. However, if you have rolls of skin on your tummy, or if there are stretch marks, you are likely a better candidate for the tummy tuck. The tummy tuck is a more expensive procedure with a tougher recovery, but in almost every case, it has the advantage of giving you a flatter tummy.

Excess fat versus excess laxity

Hello, Thank you for the question. Although we discuss liposuction and tummy tuck as procedures that can accomplish comparable results they are really designed to address tow separate issues. Liposuction is ideally suited to reduce excess fat without addressing excess laxity while a tummy tuck is designed to address excess laxity. If laxity is an issue a tummy tuck will be your best option. All the best, Dr Remus Repta

Abdominal Contouring- Liposuction vs Tummy Tuck

The answer to your question is dependent on your skin elasticity, the amount of excess abdominal skin and your personal goals. Liposuction works well with patients who have good skin elasticity, are not overweight, and do not have excess “overhanging” skin. Tummy tucks are preferred for patients who have loose, excess skin and underlying muscle laxity which may have resulted from pregnancy or weight fluctuations. An important consideration is that scarring from... more

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Abdominal liposuction has a higher incidence of rippling and wrinkling than other areas. Liposuction of the tummy, if there is significant excess skin, can empty the skin envelope and cause a worsening in the appearance of the abdominal "apron." For the right candidate abdominal liposuction may be reasonable; abdominoplasty is quite reliable and offers a powerful tool for abdominal contouring. Be sure you are at your best weight before considering either procedure,... more

Liposuction or Tummy Tuck

This is a very common question in our practice. Basically, liposuction removes excess fat and tummy tuck removes excess skin. You can combine both procedure as lipoabdominoplasty. The best way to see if you are a candidate, is to see a board certified plastic surgeon who can offer both procedure. Good luck see video

Tummy tuck or lipo

The laxity of your skin and the condition of the abdominal musculature will determine whether you are a candidate for tummy tuck or liposuction. Influential considerations include childbirth, weight fluctuations and presence of a diastasis. I suggest that you see a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation.

Lipo vs tummy tuck

Dear B.B., Your BMI is 26.6 which is not too bad. If you do not have children or your skin and muscles are not loose, than liposuction is the recommended procedure. If the opposite is true and your abdominal wall is loose, you will be unhappy with liposuction because your stomack will not be flat. Tummy tuck has also another advantage and that is weight lose due to the increase in intra abdominal pressure. This reduces your hunger and limits the amount of food that you can... more

Best Procedure For Loose Skin

Thank you for the question. Choosing between an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or liposuction of the abdomen is determined by the ability/inability of your skin to retract after the procedure. In patients who have retained good skin elasticity are typically good liposuction candidates. If your skin is loose then you will need an abdominoplasty, which can potentially be done in conjunction with liposuction depending on your needs. Therefore you will most likely benefit from an abdominoplasty... more

Belly rolls need a tummy tuck

The decision comes down to skin laxity when deciding between tummy tuck or liposuction. Given the fact you have skin excess and 'belly rolls' our bet is tummy tuck is right for you.

Tummy tuck vs liposuction

Without an exam, a definitive answer cannot be given, however I will try to give you some guidelines. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is useful when a patient has excess skin, fat (rolls), and possibly a loose abdominal wall. If your skin is relatively loose and has created "rolls," it is much more likely that you would be better off with a tummy tuck. Liposuction simply removes excess fat, but if you have a significant amount of excess skin the rolls will remain. During a... more

If you have loose skin you will need a Tummy tuck

Liposuction is a great procedure to remove bulges of fat but unfortunately it does not tighten the skin. If the skin is loose before the liposucktion then it will be as loose or looser after the liposuction. A combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck in the right patient gives awesome result. You will need to consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to find what specific procedure will give you the best results. Ask for before and after photos. If you are interested you can review... more

Rolls of skin need a tummy tuck

Liposuction removes fat but does not do anything for rolls of skin. Tummy tuck on the other hand will remove the excess skin and fat and is most likely a better choice for you. However without pictures it can't be said for sure and perhaps your desire not to have scar will mean that liposuction it the ideal procedure for you. A formal review by a plastic surgeon in person would most likely help you answer your questions. Dr. Martin Jugenburg

TT or Lipo

Photos of the areas of concern would be very helpful in order to assess what would benefit you the most-liposuction will address mainly density and little or no loss of skin elasticity while a TT will get rid of excess loose and lax skin. In most cases we address a TT with lipo because patients typically have concerns about excess skin and density

Liposuction vs tummy tuck

Thank you for your question. It is impossible to give a definitive answer without an examination, but I can at least give you some generalities. The choice between a tummy tuck or liposuction is based on the elasticity of your skin. If there is minimal skin excess and the skin has retained its elasticity, than liposuction may be the proper choice. Liposuction relies on your skin to contract and fit your new form after the fat is removed. If the skin has lost its elasticity through... more

Liposuction or Tummy Tuck?

Without a photo I can only guess. What you describe as rolls implies excess of skin and fat. Liposuction will not manage excess skin, so a tummy tuck sounds the more likely to get a nice result for you. Consider posting a photo to get more useful responses. When you ready for an in person consultation, RealSelf has listings of surgeons in your area. You should consider cross referencing the listings from the The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (plasticsurgery dot org). A listing in... more