Liposuction removes fat. There may be some tightening of the skin after liposuction if you are yong and have good skin quality. You should get even more tightening if you have laser liposuction. If there is significant skin excess, or hanging over, it is best to have this skin removed with a tummy tuck. If you have mild skin excess, then a combined liposuction with mini tummy tuck woul dgive you the best possible results with a hidden incision that is about half the size of a traditional tummy tuck. If you have stretch marks, this may be a good indication that your skin has been "damaged" from pregnancy and will not tighten as much after only liposuction - another reason to have a combined procedure. I have been getting great results with this combined laser liposuction and mini tummy tuck procedure.
Mini tummy tuck versus liposuction
Matthew Schulman, MD answers: Mini Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, or combination for post-pregnancy tummy?
I have had two consultations from reputable surgeons. Doctor A states I do not need a mini tummy tuck and that I should consider liposuction. My worries are baggy, wrinkly skin. Doctor A states it will "shrink wrap", well given my skin elasticity. Doctor B is okay with mini tummy tuck with liposuction, and states that the combination will result in a concave look but believes I will be pleased with the results. Doctor A stated mini tummy tuck with Lipo would look bad because of the bubbling effect. Both doctors were surprised at the minimal abdominal separation. I am 8 months post partum from twins and had two c sections. What would be the best procedure for my tummy?
A: Tummy tuck versus liposuction
Many patients have the same concern - you are not alone. Without pictures, it is impossible to give you specific advice. If your only concern is removing fat or bulk and you have no hanging skin, no stretch marks, no scars that you want removed and have good skin elasticity, then liposuction may be good for you. However, if you have any looseness to the skin or hanging skin or stretch marks, then you absolutely would have a much nicer result from abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. After any procedure you skin will contract somewhat, but it is not like shrink wrap. An alternative would be to have the liposuction with the intention of a possible mini-abdominoplasty in 6 months after the swelling has resolved and the tissues have settled. Good luck.
Contact the doctorA: You probably need full tummy tuck.
Hi!
1) Of course, it's hard to say definitively without examining you, but almost certainly liposuction alone will not do the job for you. It sounds like you have too much loose skin.
2) Unless your "problem" is limited to the area just above the C section scar, you will not be happy with a mini tummy tuck either. Too many "minis" are done, because they sound less scary, but in reality few women are good candidates. Most women have loose skin above the belly button. To correct this higher baggy skin, you need a full tummy tuck, even though you don't have a big muscle separation (diastasis).
3) I can think of three patients who had mini tummy tucks, and later had to have a full abdominoplasty to correct the upper abdomen.
4) The recovery from a full tummy tuck, specially if you don't need a lot of muscle work, is not as bad as most people think. We do it on an out patient basis in our office surgical suite, you walk out after about 2 hours in the recovery room, and you go home with a nurse who spends the night with you.
A: Abdominal improvement after children
It is very difficult to suggest what would be better without formally evaluating you. Liposuction is good to reduce fatty volume in the subcutaneous plane. Yes, it may cause skin to be a bit loose if your skin quality is not good. A mini-tummy tuck only treats the area below the umbilicus. This will reduce excess loose skin int his region. If you have significant muscle laxity both above and below the abdomen and have loose skin above your umbilicus, then you probably need a full tummy tuck. I am not a big fan of mini-tummy tucks because I do not think they achieve what the patient really wants.
A: how to improve abdomen post pregnancy
It used to be that a tummy tuck was the only option for a woman with a bulging tummy. Then liposuction came along, and we could do a procedure with virtually no scarring. However, people who have especially slack skin in their midsection need more than what lipo can offer. Liposuction modifies volume by sucking out fat, and lipo candidates need good skin tone. Because liposuction stimulates the skin to tighten, good elasticity provides a smooth contour after fat is removed. Alternatively, typical candidates for a mini-tummy tuck are women with a "bikini bulge" after pregnancy, but look pretty good from the navel up. It's also a smaller scar than in a full tummy tuck and would eliminate any excess skin, as well as tighten the abdominal muscles, that liposuction may not fix.
