Smart Lipo on abs and waist. Will it cause too much excess skin?

How well does Smart Lipo work on the abdomen and waist areas? After the procedure, should I expect a lot of excess skin that has to be cut away? I weigh about 115 lbs. I am naturally thin everywhere except in those areas. I don't want to have to go through a Tummy tuck procedure although I was advised to get one for best results.

5 answers to “Smart Lipo on abs and waist. Will it...”

A: Smart Lipo is a gimmick.

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To bobbie_d, Hi! I agree with Dr. Rosenblatt. I don't know ANY board certified plastic surgeon experienced in liposuction who uses Smart Lipo. From your description of yourself, you probably will do great with good tumescent liposuction using small cannulas. It sounds like you don't have excess... more

A: Go to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for an exam

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

If an ABPS surgeon has examined you and determined that you need a tummy tuck because of skin excess and or muscle laxity, you will almost certainly be unhappy with the results of any kind of liposuction because liposuction doesn't help with skin excess or muscle laxity. Remember that Smart lipo has not... more

A: Smart Lipo is all marketing

By William B. Rosenblatt, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

If you were advised to have a tummy tuck, then you are just wasting your money by doing a "smart lipo". If you have had children, have a poochy stomach and excess fat in the love handles, a tummy tuck where the excess skin is removed, the stretched out rectus muscles are corrected, and excess love... more

A: Just depends on loose the skin is at present

By Farbod Esmailian, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

It really depends how loose your skin is now. If you have already seen a plastic surgeon and he/she has recommended a Tummy Tuck, I would say that they already feel that your skin quality is loose. Liposuction can tighten the skin up to a very small extent. Now as for your hip/waist area, generally liposuction... more

A: Liposuction on abs and waist

By Gary Hall, MD - Leawood Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction will remove much of the excess fat in the area that you are having treated and the skin will contract some, but the amount of contraction is limited. It sounds like you must have some skin laxity since you state you have been recommended to have a tummy tuck. Smart lipo has been promoted to give... more

Comments

Steven A. Schlosser M.D.
92 posts
29 Jan 2009

If you need a tummy tuck, the you need a tummy tuck, but if you have minimal to moderate laxity, MPX Smart Lipo is an excellent first step ,and recent studies show 18-25% (significant) skin tightening. For many patients with busy lives, there is neither the time or inclination to to take on the significant surgery and recovery time required by a tummy tuck. Consider the laser lipo 1st, and then if you have too much skin left, a mini tuck works well. I do agree that if you have significant muscle laxity ,a tummy tuck works best. Getting more than one opinion is a good idea.

aliu
109 posts
29 Jan 2009

Hi bobbie_d SmartLipo is not a replacement for a tummy tuck but then again, you might not need a tummy tuck. It really depends on your expectations and goals. No stand alone lipo procedure will ever be able to replace the results from a tummy tuck. That being said, your goal might be achievable with SmartLipo alone (or tumescent lipo or traditional lipo). Before embarking on such a life changing decision with permanent results, I would really ask yourself what you are looking to achieve and talk to more doctors. Excess skin can always be removed at a later time but once you have that scar, it is never going to go away. I'll be the first one to admit when a patient is looking for a particular look he or she will need a tummy tuck. But you can get some satisfactory results with SmartLipo +/- Thermage (or any other non-invasive skin tightening procedure) afterwards as well. Best of luck! Dr. Alex Liu

Post your question

Email to friend