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What to Do After Conflicting Advice from Plastic Surgery Consultations?

asked 2 years ago by mom23 in SC
Latest answer by Armando Soto, MD
Question viewed 349 times
Tags: second opinion

One PS says I need lipo of the trunk area in addition to my TT, while the other said it was not necessary. Also, I have about 25 lbs to lose before I'm at my goal weight, one doc said to lose the weight first, while the other doc said have the surgery and the weight will come off after surgery. Please advise on the best way to get clarification from the docs!

17 answers to What to Do After Conflicting Advice from Plastic Surgery Consultations?

+2

Understanding opinions among Plastic Surgeons

Hi there- There are many reasons you may be getting different recommendations... The most important thing is to understand how to get your best outcome, regardless of who you choose to do your surgery... I would concur with the majority of my colleagues that your best outcome will occur if you are as close as possible to your ideal weight as possible before surgery. The key is understanding what your ideal weight is, however.... I don't agree with weight charts and insurance tables, because depe more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

How to handle conflicting advice from plastic surgeons

Hello - From your story, it sounds like it may be beneficial to wait until you're at your goal weight before having surgery. This is because after you lose the weight your skin may sag even more and if you've already had a tummy tuck you'll need more skin excised. Further, I don't think you'll be able to have 25 pounds of skin and fat removed with liposuction and a tummy tuck. It never hurts to wait and take things slowly when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Good luck!
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Different surgeons have different opinions, no one way is right or wrong

There are usually several different ways to achieve good surgical results. What you are describing is a difference of opinion, and this is very common. I don't think it is necessary or even possible to get these two surgeons to recommend the same procedure, but you should be able to ask each to explain his or her reasons for suggesting the particular treatment plan. After getting that information, you have to make the best decision for yourself. If you feel that 25 lb weight loss is an... more
Elizabeth Lee, MD

Bay Area Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction with tummy tuck

As my colleagues have mentioned, it is always better to lose weight that you are able to. That being said, many people cannot lose weight easily nor should it be a life struggle to maintain a specific weight because that will not last. And if you are progressively gaining weight, this is not the answer for you. I believe if you are at a weight that you can MAINTAIN easily (so it will preserve your results), then you can proceed with a contouring procedure. If you have a thick layer of... more
Curtis Wong, MD

Redding Plastic Surgeon
+1

"Six of one - half a dozen of another?"

Plastic surgeons by nature are innovative visionaries. Surgeons envision your final result but may have extremely different paths to get to your end result. This is not unusual. You should ask or the surgeon should give you reasons behind why he/she would perform his/her procedure versus another procedure as it relates to your case. At the end of the day "you" have to trust your "gut". in addition, do your homework about the particular doctors and the... more
Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lose weight first before any procedure

Always lose to your long term stable body weight before having a body contouring procedure. The French and Brazilian tummy tuck techniques which I have used for over 10 years often combine liposuction with skin tightening. And this is done very safely. Sounds like one of your surgeons wishes to operate on you immediately, before you lose weight. The result will not be as good as it could be. "Buyer Beware" applies here!
Steven Yarinsky, MD

Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Conflicting Plastic Surgery Opinions

Plastic surgeons frequently have divergent opinions, based on how the problem is presented. But, as you can see from the preponderance of posts - the vast majority of us feel strongly that the BEST RESULTS are more easily obtained when our patients are at their ideal weight and their weights are stable. If you can lose the weight - do so and you will have a great result. If you absolutely cannot do it, go ahead with Tummy Tuck (and if needed flank/back lipo) the results are not likely to be... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and conflicting advice

If you feel that you need to lose weight, it is always better to do that before surgery. As for differing opinions, like a chef, everyone makes their chicken soup differently!
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

In general weight loss first, some lipo could be done in addition to TT safely

A general advice is to lose the weight first but every patient must be evaluated differently. Lipo could be done in addition to tummy tuck to handle the flank area or as a part of the tummy tuck procedure.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sometimes it comes down to: whose results do you like better?

I always recommend losing the weight before surgery IF you can. Some patients tell me that they have tried every diet out there and made a valiant attempt at losing the weight. Some have lost a great deal of weight but just can't get to their "ideal" body weight.... and still others don't want to be at their "ideal" weight. For all of these patients, I believe doing the tummy tuck is very reasonable. As to with or without the lipo..... That depends on your goals. Plastic Sur more
Daniel P. Markmann, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and Liposuction in New York City done together.

Hi. 1) What we do is an art as much as a science. So conflicting advice is inevitable, which is very hard for the patient. You need to see a lot of before and after pictures, and decide whom you trust. 2) About your particular problem, we do tummy tuck and liposuction together. The key to safety is a "minimal undermining" tummy tuck , which protects the blood supply. 3) I am in the minority about weight. Within reason, we don't make people wait. Losing 25 pounds is very... more
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sorting out conflicting advice for tummy tuck

Your question didn't say whether contouring of the flanks is what you were interested in, but it is a very common procedure with a tummy tuck, particularly if your genetics gave you an "apple body." One thing I have observed with this body type is that the upper inner thighs also tend to be disproportionate. Since lipo is for spot contouring of areas resistant to diet and exercise, if you overlook this one then it become even more of a problem later since it would be your body's... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sorting out conflicting plastic surgery advice

It would be the advice of almost all plastic surgeons to lose the weight before surgery. If you lost 25 pounds after a TT the skin might not be as tight as you would have liked. As to the liposuction, if you have flank fat (love handles) these can be suctioned. I do this in 10-20% of my TT's and 80-90% don't need it.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Conflicting advice

See 2 more boarded plastic surgeons in your area. You did not post photos but my guess is you will need at least 1 liter of liposuction with the TT. FROM MIAMI Dr. B
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction, weight loss and tummy tucks

According to present day plastic surgery lore there are 5 types of abdomens1 - requires no surgical treatment2 - is best treated with liposuction only3 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a mini abdominoplasty/tummy tuck4 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a modified abdominoplasty/tummy tuck5 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a standard abdominoplasty. In relatively few cases there is little or no liposuction needed in a... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lose the weight first

You should always loose the weight first. Look up your BMI and determine what your ideal weight is and aim for it. If you are 5 or so pounds above then do the surgery -- but I always prefer my patients to be at their ideal weight before the tummy tuck.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Weight loss before or after tummy tuck

I feel that it is always best to have a tummy tuck performed when at or near your ideal weight. The other advantage in your situation is that it should become clearer whether or not you would benefit from the additional liposuction following a 25 pound weight loss.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

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