Smart Lipo Vs. Tummy Tuck, Which am I a Candidate for? (photo)

So my orginal thought was to get a tummy tuck after i lost about 50lbs. Now i'm no where near a doctor so i sent him pictures and he recommended smart lipo. My main concern isn't so much the fat even though i'm having a hard time with this last little bit on my lower abs. My main concern is the skin.. What do you guys think? After smart lipo will my skin tighten up enough to have a flat stomach?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by jimmy22

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Smart Lipo vs. Tummy Tuck

I don't think that you have to pick one over the other. Sometimes the better answer is in between. The combination of a limited skin excision with focused liposuction (ultrasonic) would likely give you the result you are looking for. Do your homework on the plastic surgeon you see. Good luck!

Plastic Surgery and the Theory of Relativism

"Relativism is the concept that points of view have no absolute validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration." Or so says Wikipedia on the subject of social relativism which we can adapt to your particular situation. With respect to laser assisted lipolysis (SmartLipo) vs. surgical treatment, the right answer is certainly going to depend on a thorough exam and evaluation. Having said that, let's use the limited information and... more

Male abdominoplasty

I'm sure no 1 on this site is going to recommend a complete abdomioplasty but a combination of a modest amount of liposuction and as someone suggested a removal of a strip of skin in the lower abdomen might just do the trick. I use the laser for liposuctions regularly and definitely helps but probably not enough to really satisfy you. the scar should be low enough to be easily.

Male tummy tuck

Liposuction is the suction removal of fat, period. Any skin retraction, redraping, is totally unpredictable, you may have great skin retraction, none or your skin may become looser and more wrinkled. There are many types of liposuction: tumescent, ultrasonic, laser, power, smart, maybe even dumb lipo! There is not one study that proves one method provides any more skin retraction than another. Based on your history of a 50 lb weight loss and the loose skin in your... more

Smartlipo vs. Tummy Tuck

Getting a completely flat stomach after a 50lb weight loss is not likely to be achieved by fat removal alone. Your abdominal skin is undoubtably a bit loose or stretchy and that is the limiting problem in terms of getting the tight and flat stomach that you want. Whether a low horizontal scar is worth your pursuit of a flatter abdomen is the decision you will have to make. If a scar is not acceptable then you can have Smartlipo instead and settle for some improvement albeit not as signficant... more

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

In spite of losing 50 pounds and not being a very heavy individual, you do not have significant excess skin and you have minimal stretch marks. If superficial liposuction is performed with the assistance of laser or internal/external ultrasound modalities, you would benefit from one of these procedures. This type of surgery is less expensive and recovery is a lot easier and quicker. After a few months, if you are still concerned with excess skin, at that time, you could then consider a mini... more

Weight loss and skin

Thanks for the phtoos but it is hard to tell jsut from these. If your lower abdomen has mainly loose skin then a small skin excision which can be kept in your underwear line may be the best for you. If your skin is loose, liposuction will make it looser. An exam is key.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Smartlipo does not tighten the skin that much

It is impossible to make a recommendation without a full exam. Looking and feeling your skin quality is absolutely necessary. I purchased my Smartlipo machine after being told by the company and other physicians how it tightened the skin. I feel that it tightens the skin is some patients a little bit. I was very disappointed to find that the hype is mostly hype. The reps from the laser companies (realize these machines cost about $125,000) keep pushing the... more

Lipo vs. Tummy tuck - male

There will be a degree of tightening after liposuction but that depends on a few factors; quality of skin, age, activity, area of the body. With that in mind you should see some tightening but not to the same degree as in a tummy tuck when skin is removed. I don't see a lot of skin on your photo therefore I would not recommend a tummy tuck for you because you will be left with a permanent scar. Best of luck, Dana Khuthaila, MD, FRCSC, FACS