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How do I Decide Between Liposuction With or Without Tummy Tuck? (photo)

asked 7 months ago by Monique_Ready4Freddy's in Hammond, IN
Latest answer by Laurence Weider, MD
Question viewed 416 times
Tags: after pregnancy, c-section, candidate

I've had three (board certified PS) consults so far, and as many suggestions. I'd like another opinion. I'm 31, 5'2, and between 150-153 pounds. I've had three children, my last by C-section. I was told I have an umbilical hernia, but all 3 disagree on exactly how large it is. (My pain comes and goes, barely feel it weekly) I plan to get the hernia repaired first, but do I need lipo, a TT, or both? One PS said my skin is too tight for a TT, 2 others said I can get both the TT and lipo.

20 answers to How do I Decide Between Liposuction With or Without Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Liposuction does not tighten skin

This is a very common question. Today alone I have seen several ladies in consultation that come in asking should they get a tummy tuck or just liposuction. Clearly nobody wants a large incision and scar if they do not need one however they also do not want the loose skin that can come from liposuction in a patient with preexisting stretch marks and loose skin. Pregnancies produce stretch marks. It is a sad fact but we do not have the technology to treat this skin with... more

Evan Sorokin, MD
Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction vs tummy tuck

Hi there, You have no chance of achieving a nice result from liposuction. The problem is one of loose skin not an excess or local deposit of fat. You might need a divarication repair as well. Your anatomy suggests you should achieve a very nice result from abdominoplasty. Ensure you choose a board certified plastic surgeon in your area for a consultation, and good luck.

Howard Webster, MBBS, MBA
Melbourne Plastic Surgeon

www.arcplasticsurgery.com.au

Lipo vs abdominoplasty

Liposuction removes excess fat while abdominoplasty removes excess skin and repositions the muscles. You have too much skin,therfore you require an abdominoplasty. Liposuction with skin excess will result is more sagging.

Jay M. Pensler, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Lipo versus Tummy Tuck

Based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit most from an abdominoplasty / tummy tuck. Liposuction will reduce the fat, but you have loose skin and stretch marks that only a tummy tuck can improve. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Liposuction and abdominoplasty

The photos demonstrated stretched abdominal skin with extra pinch. This suggests that you would do well with an abdominoplasty with or without liposuction. The umbilical hernia can be corrected at the same time as the abdominoplasty so there would be no reason to have this performed in stages.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

TT

Given your photos, you seem like a good candidate for a TT and lipo safely at the same time, the hernia repair could be done simultaneiously with this procedure as well-the TT would get rid of your excess skin and lipo would take care of the density in the abdomen and the flanks.

Edward J. Bednar, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

Candidate for a TummyTuck after Pregnancy?

Based on the photographs it appears that you have excess skin that would benefit from a tummy tuck. Your umbilical hernia could be repaired at the same time as the tummy tuck. Some of the stretch marks in your lower abdomen would also be removed with the tummy tuck procedure. I t is possible you may desire liposuction on your upper hips.

Rondi Kathleen Walker, MD
Washington Plastic Surgeon

www.walkerplasticsurgery.com

Tummy Tuck Candidate?

Thank you for the question and pictures. I think you are an excellent candidate for the tummy tuck procedure. The umbilical hernia can be repaired at the same time (there is no reason to stage the procedures). I would suggest you select your plastic surgeon carefully. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Liposuction vs tummy tuck

I think you would achieve the best result from initial weight loss followed by a tummy tuck. This combination should give you a very nice abdominal contour. It would also remove most of your stretch marks. Liposuction alone would decrease the fullness of your tummy, but would likely make the loose skin worse. In addition, it would do nothing for your stretch marks. Good luck.

Laurence Weider, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and hernia repair after pregnancy

For a good result, you will need a full tummy tuck with or without liposuction. this can be done at the same time as your hernia repair or after the hernia repair. I hope this helps.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck

Either liposuction or a tummy tuck can be done, but they will produce significantly different results. Liposuction would be the only choice if you do not want any scar at all. It will produce some mild improvement, but based on the way you are grabbing your abdominal skin, it will leave you less than happy afterwards. A scar is a good trade-off if you want a much more significant result that removes what you are grabbing. It is all about what kind of result you want for what you are willing... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Liposuction versus a tummy tuck?

Your photos suggest that some form of a tummy tuck may help you but without the benefit of an examination, this is pure conjecture. A tummy tuck is used in the treatment of excess skin of the abdomen whereas liposuction addresses too much fat. If your skin is somewhat loose, liposuction will not tighten it and, if anything, can exacerbate the situation. You may benefit from seeing 1 or 2 more reputable board certified plastic surgeons ... but then again, you may also get different... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Too much skin excess

Thanks for sending the photos. I believe you need a tummy tuck because you have too much skin and I think you have muscle separation as well that can be repaired with the hernia at the same time. Good luck with surgery.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck vs liposuction

Based on the photographs that you provided, it appears that a tummy tuck would be (by far) your best option. I see many women who are confused about their options and don't know if they will need a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or liposuction. Obviously, most want to avoid the scar associated with a tummy tuck, but the final outcome is dependent on far more than the scar. In general, excess skin and fat together are best addressed with a tummy tuck, while excess fat only... more

Eric T. Emerson, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

www.seplasticsurgery.com

Tummy Tuck, Liposuction or Both?

When there is very loose skin in the abdomen, a tummy tuck is the better choice. Adding liposuction may be helpful to contour the trunk.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction versus Tummy Tuck

In my opinion, you will achieve a better result with an abdominoplasty that will remove the loose skin, some of the stretch marks, and allow repair of the hernia. In addition to liposuction giving you a poorer result, it can be dangerous to perform in patients with a known abdominal hernia due to the risk of intraabdominal organ injury.

Donald Griffin, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck

It used to be that a tuck was the only option for a woman with a bulging tummy. Then lipo came along, and we could do a smaller procedure with virtually no scarring. However, people who have especially slack skin in their midsection need more than what lipo can offer. Typical candidates for this surgery are women with drooping abdomens after pregnancy, women and men who've lost a great deal of weight, menopausal women, or older people with loose skin due to age. In the tummy tuck, the... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck for skin laxity

Liposuction just will not give enough contraction of the abdominal skin and you may find that lipo alone may produce more skin laxity. The tummy tuck seems the best fit, especially if you expect the skin you are holding in your middle to be improved by your procedure. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck or lipo

From your photos, it appears that a tummy tuck will give you the best result. The umbilical hernia may be repaired at the same time. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

TT or lipo?

As you have discovered, plastic surgery is not an exact science and the more opinions you seek, you may continue to receive different advice. Based on your information and photographs, I would suggest: losing weight prior to surgery as this will benefit your final result, it appears that your excess weight is concentrated in the abdominal region and possibly inside the abdomen (under the muscles of the abdominal wall, although this can really only be determined by the physical... more