Smart Lipo or Mini-tummy Tuck?

I'm 33 years old and have three kids all naturally birthed (no c-section). I am 5 feet tall, 120lbs and in my lower abdomen I have some pockets of fat. It's noticeable when I sit down, it's not saggy, but it certainly doesn't look good.

Do you think I would be a better candidate for Smart Lipo or for a mini tummy tuck?

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abdomen pooch

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20 Doctor Answers | Asked by Deb Guzaldo in miami, fl

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Which is better, tummy tuck or smart lipo?

This question arises in my office every day. While I do refer patients to plastic surgeons for tummy tucks occasionally, the majority of patients can be treated with a combination of tumescent liposuction and smart lipo. Notice that I said, tumescent liposuction and smart lipo, not just smart lipo. What this all comes down to is picking your surgeon wisely. If you go to a dermatologist for your liposuction, there is a good chance that you won't need the tummy tuck, but if you go to a... more

Must be accessed through an in-person consultation

The appropriate body contouring procedure for your needs can only be accessed through an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. During your consultation, your prospective surgeon will examine your abdomen and talk with you about your cosmetic goals before making a procedure suggestion. After three children, it is possible that you have some muscle separation and not just pockets of fat that would need to be retightened to achieve a flatter abdomen. ... more

Smart Lipo vs tummy tuck

Your qyesiton depends on your specific circumstances. Smart lipo will not help to remove that loose skin that has lost elasticity. It may however assist you to remove pockets of fat which create contour abnormailities or slim you down, assuming your skin has good elasticity.

Liposuction vs. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

For patients with young retractable skin and fat deposits (not obesity), liposuction is a good option. Smart lipo is just a trade name and tumescent liposuction actually has fewer complications but either way works well for the right patient. An abdominoplasty is an excellent option for a patient who has had children as your abdominal wall may be stretched (your 6-pack has moved laterally) and part of the prodedure is tightening the underlying fascia giving you a flatter abdomen. Most... more

Mini Tummy Tuck or liposuction?

Thank you for the question. Without examination or pictures is not possible to give you accurate advice. However based on your history, in general I do not believe that you will be a good candidate for liposuction surgery. Also, in my opinion, the mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who... more

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck

Loose skin will not really be corrected with smart lipo. If your concern is bulk and skin, a type of abdominoplasty would address these concerns. Really consider what it is that you are looking for and discuss this with a well trained board certified plastic surgeon. best wishes!

Smart Lipo versus tummy tuck

Generally speaking Smart Lipo is NOT a substitute for a tummy tuck. It may supplement the results of a tummy tuck.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Mini Tummy Tuck

Form your description and without having any photos, I would presume that you have some lower abdominal skin laxity and stretch marks after 3 pregnancies. Based on my presumption, my recoomendation for you is to have a mini-tummy tuck with standard liposuction. I do not like laser lipo since it can produce contour assymnetry in my opinion.

Smart Lipo versus mini tummy tuck

For women who have given birth and have excess skin, looseness of the muscles, or excess fat limited to the central abdomen, a mini tummy tuck is an excellent option. If your skin is of excellent quality with no stretch marks and you only have a small amount of excess fat mature muscles are in a good position, you may consider liposuction. In our practice, we see many patients who have received liposuction alone at another facility and then came to our clinic dissatisfied with the... more

Both Smart Lipo and Mini-tummy tuck could be used if needed

A picture will be very helpful to give you an accurate treatment plan. However, if you main problem is fat pockets with no excess skin, lipo will be the answer. Lipo is frequently used with a mini tuck to address the skin excess.