Thermage Vs Full or Mini Tummy Tuck for Post-pregnancy Tummy?

Question

I'm a young (26) healthy mother of 2. I would like to know, will Thermage work to help improve my tummy (at least 40-60%), or would I need a mini or full tummy tuck (which I would rather not do)? Thank you.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question and photos!  I hope that these answers help!
  Tummy tuck is an excellent method for shaping the belly and create a 
flatter and sculpted abdomen after the procedure.  Looking at your 
photos, I do believe that you would be an excellent candidate for this 
procedure in order to remove the excess skin/soft tissue of your lower 
abdomen and contour the areas of your belly.   Also, abdominal wall 
tightening may optimize your result. Stretch marks to the level of your 
umbilicus will also be excised.  Also, a continued healthy and active 
lifestyle prior to the procedure and afterwards is recommended in order to maintain the benefits that the 
procedure has given to you.  I doubt Thermage or liposuction would ameliorate your concerns, as you do have significant skin/tissue laxity.Once you are ready for the 
procedure, I would likely recommend a full tummy tuck with abdominal 
wall tightening.   This would remove the excess skin/soft tissue 
and stretch marks while contouring your belly.  The mini tummy tuck has 
limited usefulness and limited candidates as it truly only addresses 
excess skin in a small area above your pubis.  It will not address your 
abdominal wall and the tightening of such, frequently needed to achieve a shapely abdominal wall.  While the recovery 
time 
is shorter, the benefits afforded to you by a full tummy tuck are much 
greater and will optimize your result.  You should consult with a
board-certified plastic surgeon well-versed in body contouring 
procedures at anytime to go over options to assist you in deciding
 which procedure(s) would be right for you.  Best wishes!

Sam Jejurikar, MD · Answer

Hi,
Thermage would have benefit only if you needed only a small amount of tightening of your skin.  Unfortunately, your photos reveal bulging of the abdominal wall, consistent with muscle looseness, as well as extra skin with stretch marks.  A tummy tuck, which combines removal of extra skin and fat, as well as significant muscle tighening, is really the only thing which will accomplish all of this.  Given your stretch marks, which are a sign of irreversible skin injury, it's very unlikely that Thermage or a mini tummy tuck would give you the 40%-60% improvement for which you're looking.  A tummy tuck, on the other hand, will give you a dramatically improved appearance, far beyond the minimal results with which you say you'll be satisfied.
Hope this helps.  Best of luck.

William Bruno, MD · Answer

If you significant loose skin and stretch marks (as your photo indicates) there is really no role for thermage. It appears that a full tummy tuck will address your concerns. This is difficult to say for sure without examining you, however, based on this photo a mini-tummy tuck will not remove enough skin or stretch marks. If I were to examine you in a semi-flexed position (slightly bent at waist). I would suspect we'd be able to perform the more complete, full tummy tuck. The difference in scar length between a mini and full tummy tuck is quite small.
I realize that many patients are resistant to the idea of a tummy tuck because of the recovery and the scar involved, however, this will give you the best result and best contour.  The recovery is about one to two weeks off work, but in the long run, this is likely the best procedure for your specific anatomy.
Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon prior to scheduling any procedure.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Thermage is excellent when the skin quality and elasticity is better.  In your particular case I think you will get the best results with a traditional "tummy tuck" at a qualified plastic surgeon.  Simply you have too much extra skin and this needs to be surgically removed.

Scott E. Newman, MD, FACS · Answer

Although Thermage may cause a small amount of skin tightening, it's hard to imagine that you will be satisfied with anything other than a full tummy-tuck. Your issue is not simply skin laxity, but also fat and muscle separation as well. If, on the other hand, you're completely against the concept of a tummy-tuck, then Thermage is really the only option that will at least give you a small amount of improvement.

Nissan Pilest, MD · Answer

Thermage can help, however, in order to get a 40-60% improvement from the picture you provided, you would most likely need a tummy tuck. I would recommend consulting a doctor first before you make any decisions.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Absolutely a FULL TUMMY TUCK is your best choice! Do not be confused by non surgeons stating the thermage can improve your appearance. That will never happen. You need surgery. Best of Luck!

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

To get the results you want and deserve - ONLY a FULL Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) will do.
NEITHER Thermage, a MINI Tummy Tuck or any other method out there will : tighten you 2 pregnancies disrupted tummy muscles, flatten your tummy, narrow your waist and lift a potentially sagging Mons pubis. A Tummy Tuck will do all of these and in a thin, fit patient like you the result could be spectacular.
Good Luck.
Dr. P. Aldea

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Tigermum616,
Thank you for the question. Although it is difficult to make an accurate assessment without examining you first-hand, from the above picture, it seems that you have a considerable amount of soft-tissue laxity and excess in the lower abdomen, global striae (stretch marks), and at least an element of diastasis secondary to the pregnancies. My first question to you would be if you plan on having any further children. If so, I would hold off on a tummy tuck until your childbearing days are behind you.  Secondly, it would be relevant to know the time frame from your most recent pregnancy.  I would wait no less than a year before considering a tummy tuck, in order to let your abdomen reach stability from its pre-pregnancy state.
With regards to which procedure to choose, I understand your concerns with wanting to avoid a tummy tuck.  I think you need to ask yourself what your expectations are. While Thermage, a radio-frequency treatment promising skin/soft-tissue tightening, may provide some degree of benefit to your abdomen, it certainly will not address the excess skin created by the tissue expansion secondary to your pregnancy, nor will it address the diastasis (loosening of your abdominal wall structure).
The Thermage, in your scenario, would likely suffice as a beneficial adjunct procedure secondary to having a tummy tuck/mini-tummy tuck, and this is indeed reasonable. My advice to you would be to visit your plastic surgeon and allow he/she to assess you and give recommendations as to what would give you the best long-standing results which go hand-in-hand with your goals.  
Best of luck!

Eugene Mandrea, MD (retired) · Answer

We have done some Thermage treatments  on abdomens with mild distentions following pregnancy. Any distention more than mild would not benefit from Thermage.

	From the photo you are displaying, we would send you to an experienced Plastic Surgeon for a Tummy Tuck.

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