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Loose Skin, Muscle Separation or Fat? What is Wrong with my Tummy?

asked 1 year ago by levismama in North Charleston, SC
Latest answer by Scott Sattler, MD
Question viewed 3,176 times
Tags: female, after pregnancy, after weight loss, options

I gave birth a year and a half ago. I gained over 60 pounds with my son and he was a 9 lb baby. Since then, I've lost all the weight plus some but my belly still looks horrendous. I still have some extra fat around my belly/hips, but what will happen when I lose it? Why does my belly hang when I bend over? Is this loose skin(I have a lot of stretch marks)? Is it muscle separation? Fat? And what kind of procedure do I need to fix it?

12 answers to Loose Skin, Muscle Separation or Fat? What is Wrong with my Tummy?

Post partum belly

The answer to your question is probably all of the above.There is loose skin,extra fat and weak muscles.The stretch marks will not go away You could have a full tummy tuck and have your muscle repaired along with some liposuction but I would first have all of my children and then consider corrective surgery.

Robert Brueck, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck yields nice abdominal contouring results

You'll have a great result with a tummy tuck procedure. You'll very likely lose a portion of the tattoos that are along your groin - but the tradeoff will be a substantially improved abdominal contour. Liposuction will not work for you - you've got too much loose skin.

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

Based upon your photos, it looks like you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. The loose skin will be removed and the diastasis will be tightened.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

VIDEO (Click "more" below) which tummy tuck surgery is best for you?

I have prepared a video discussing a variety of the different tummy tuck procedures. It is my opinion that you will need the full tummy tuck. See the description to understand what is done to the skin, fat and muscle. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

POST-PREGNANCY BELLY ISSUES

Hi Levismama, If you do not plan on having any more children , I would recommend a LipoAbdominoplasty with repair of the muscle separation. Your photos are extremely helpful in assessing you condition. Visit with a local Plastic Surgeon in your area for the specifics involved with this type of surgery.

Todd B. Koch, MD
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

Loose Skin, Muscle Separation or Fat

If you have read all the expert's postings than you can see you need a full tummy tuck with muscle repair at the least. There are 7 of us stating this. Seek in person opinions from boarded surgeons in your area, North Carolina. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, 305 598 0091

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

BEST Operation for ME - Tummy Tuck or Liposuction

As usual, I fully agree with Dr. Rand. You are a IDEAL candidate for a Tummy Tuck and if your are not planning on having other children and do not smoke you should have a fantastic result. A woman's uterus (womb) is generally smaller than the size of her fist. Over the 9 months of pregnancy the uterus gradually assumes the impressive size of a large oblong watermelon which pushes everything out of its way. It ALWAYS both stretches the abdominal muscles and splits and separates the 6 pack... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

You need a tummy tuck

Clearly you need a tummy tuck, simple as that. Don't be fooled by any of those who tell you that you can get it all with laser liposuction, you will be incredibly disappointed by the result as you will still have muscle laxity and extra skin which is loose. A TT will give you a nice flat abdomen. Not a mini TT either...

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Post-pregnancy tummy tuck & liposuction

You have what happens to most women after pregnancy, particularly when there has been a significant weight gain as was your case, and that is all the above. You have loose skin, a bit of fullness in the belly and hip area, and probably some separation of the rectus muscle. If you are done with childbirth then you are an excellent candidate for an abdominoplasty with liposuction in the hip area and plication of your rectus muscles. With the right surgeon you should enjoy a truly excellent result. more

William F. DeLuca Jr, MD
Albany Plastic Surgeon

www.delucaplasticsurgery.com

Candidate for Tummy Tuck

After your baby, your muscles tightened since they are dynamic. The support layer probably did not, but it is impossible to evaluate from the picture. The part that is hanging is fat and still stretched skin. An abdominoplasty will tighten the muscle support and remove the extra skin, fat, and many of the stretch marks. It might also change the right lateral tattoo. Only do this, however, if you are through having babies.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

More exercise or a tummy tuck?

The answer is . . . It depends on the condition of your rectus abdominis muscle, the vertical muscle in the middle of your abdomen. It functions much the same as how shoe laces work in a shoe. If your rectus abdominis muscles are intact (tightened), congratulations! – you may only need exercise to firm your tummy. However, if your rectus abdominis muscles are separated, you can only firm up your tummy with a repair of the muscle, or a tummy tuck. Since your muscle is separated,... more

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.cosmeticsurg.net

A tummy tuck should fix it

It appears as if you are a perfect candiate for a tummy tuck which will remove the execess skin and fat and tighten the muscles of the abdomen. But - only do it if you are not having any more kids.