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Which Procedure is Best for my Situation? Tummy Tuck or Liposculpture?

asked 1 year ago by 820272anon in Riverside, CA
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 2,359 times
Tags: age 25-34, stretch marks, female, 130-149 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, after pregnancy, excess skin, African American, options

I'm a 25 year old female that is 5'7 and I currently weigh 142lbs. After having my son, my stomach hasn't returned to it's original state. I do have some excess skin but I feel that it isn't significant enough to warrant a tummy tuck, however, I am not an expert so I'd appreciate any thoughts. Although my stretch marks are a concern for me, my main objective is to have a toned stomach with minimal to no scarring.

15 answers to Which Procedure is Best for my Situation? Tummy Tuck or Liposculpture?

Liposuction versus tummy tuck for tummy

Liposculpture will likely only make your stretch marks worse and will certainly not provide improved tone. A tummy tuck will remove excess skin and that is more likely to achieve an enhanced result but will not entirely remove the stretch marks nor will it tone your abdomen. IT will approximate your muscles so that exercise can enhance the appearance of your abdomen.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Abdominal stretch marks and scars are similar conditions

Stetch marks and incisional scars are similar conditions. Both are scars that occur on opposite sides of the skin. I would consider a lower abdominal incision as a means to improve your abdominal contour at the same time eliminate some of your abdominal strech marks. This can be performed through a mini tummy tuck. From the limited perspective offered by the phot, I dont think that liposuction would provide the firm look you desire.

Nick Masri, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Miniabdominoplasty and smart liposuction may be best

Which procedure is best depends upon how flat do you want to be and at what cost ( meaning incsion size). Looking at your photo you appear to have skin laxity and abdominal wall laxity with out a significant amount of excess fat. If your main concern is the loss of "tone" below the belly button I would advise a mini-abdominoplasty keeping the scar within the pubic hair. This will treat the muscle laxity and remove some of the lax skin. The upper abdomen and flanks can be... more

Sheila Bond, MD
Montclair Plastic Surgeon

bondplasticsurgery.com

I might send you packing

Anon, I am inclined to say that I might not recommend any surgery for you. Your goal is to have a toned abdomen, which you already have. Liposuction will not help the stretch marks and might minimally improve your "tone". Tummy tuck surgery will not remove all of the stretch marks and might minimally improve your "tone". Overall, I think you have a great abdomen (at least from this picture) and I would probably leave it alone. Good luck!... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Stretch marks are not helped by liposuction

You've got a nice figure and you appear very fit. The substantial number of stretch marks along your central abdomen will not improve with liposuction. Liposuction will reduce the appearance of fat, and perhaps uncover some of the muscular definition you have. Ask yourself how much of an issue the stretch marks are for you- if they are a significant concern, then you should consider a tummy tuck. The issue in your case is that you do not have a lot of skin laxity, so it may not be... more

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Best surgery for abdomen

If you want any type of skin tightening and improvement in stretch marks, a tummy tuck is the only way. Unfortunately, scarring results. If there was an alternative or better way to tighten the skin without incisions, of course we would be doing it. Liposuction removes fat only, it does not tighten skin. If you are happy with your contours, and your abdomen is pretty flat and toned otherwise, I would probably leave it alone. Non-invasive skin-tightening lasers and devices are not proven... more

Hayley Brown MD
Henderson Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction will improve stomach with no scarring.

Hi. Just going by your picture, I think you don't need a tummy tuck. Well done liposuction (superficial and deep) with sub dermal tunneling will actually tighten the skin.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Choices

The answer to your question is giong to come down to your personal choice once you have all the facts. Liposuction will reduce the fatty layer of the abdomen but with stretch marks in the skin, retraction or tightening will be minimal. Liposuction will not address laxity of the muscle either. The advantage is minimal scarring. Tummy tuck will allow for removal of damaged skin and tightening of the muscle but the trade is a low lying scar. A modified tummy tuck is certainly... more

Robert W. Kessler, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.drrobkessler.com

Tummy tuck or liposuction after pregnancy

There are a number of things to consider when trying to weigh the benefit of a liposuction procedure verses a tummy tuck after pregnancy. The key is in skin tone and elasticity, and the condition of the abdominal wall. A significant laxity of the abdominal wall or diastasis will need a tummy tuck for the best outcome. Also lax and over-folding of the abdominal skin will only respond to a tummy tuck. If your abdominal wall is sound and strong, and skin does remain elastic you should... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Procedure is Best

Thanks for the question and the posted photo. I recommendation based ONLY on the photo is mini tummy tuck with Smart Lipo of upper abdomen. Seek in person opinions.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Plastic surgeon can best decide lipo vs tummy tuck

Since plastic surgeons have expertise in both procedures, they are in the best position to advise you after seeing you in person. Bear in mind that even with laser, there isn't much skin tightening with lipo. Also, there are different ways to do tummy tucks and perhaps a mini would do.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction or Tummy Tuck

I have to disagree with many of the answers that you have received. The only effective procedure for you would be a tummy tuck. You have loose skin and stretch marks. Liposuction will not address either of these issues. Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck will remove the loose skin and significantly reduce the number of stretch marks. I feel that if you only have liposuction then you will not have satisfactory results and will not be happy. Good luck. more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Tummy tuck vs. liposuction

You appear to be quite fit and toned. That is a good starting point assuming your lifestyle and weight are stable. You have a number of conflicting issues: minimal scarring, getting rid of stretch marks. You have to prioritize your goals, what you can't live with and what you can tolerate. There are many variations of tummy tucks, none of which are anatomically a perfect correction of anyone's situation. I suspect that your main issue is too much and too loose soft tissue (skin and... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck vs liposuction

It looks from your photo that you could go either way but you need to understand that the results will be quite different from each other and you need to honestly assess your expectations. Liposuction won't tighten your skin and it won't help with stretch marks or muscle laxity. On the other hand, you don't look like you have enough extra skin to have a low scar from a tummy tuck. So visit with the best plastic surgeons in your area and see what you can expect... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction

It appears from your photo that you are a reasonable candidate for either procedure. IF lack or scarring is important and if you have good skin tone, liposuction may be a good alternative for you. Unfortunately your skin tone cannot be assessed on photo and you should obtain a consultation with a BC plastic surgeon who can assess your skin tone and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure. Bear in mind that only a tt will address the stretch marks. more