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Tummy Tuck Before and After Main Photo - Representative of Most Results?

When you go to the tummy tuck forum, it pulls up a main photo of someone that "before" had lots of loose skin and fat and the "after" photo shows a very nice flat tummy with great shape. Do you feel that this photo shows realistic results for most people considering a tummy tuck? I tried to find the one I felt most like me, with the PS and online. This person had much more loose skin and fat than me. Am I wrong to expect a similar result?

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17 Doctor Answers | Asked by Gracey in USA

Doctor Answers (17)
Community Comments (0)

"SOME Surgeons Only Show Their Best Results....."

I have to disagree with many of the comments about All Surgeons placing only their "Best" results on their website. In my practice we place just about all of my patients photos on my website. The only ones that we do not place are from patients who do not give us permission to use their photos or patients who have identifying tattoos. We also do not show any faces. I believe it is important to show all results so that patients have realistic expectations. I... more

Tummy Tuck before and after photos

In our practice, we perform tummy tucks in patients of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life. To get a great result, it is essential that you only work with a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Such a specialist will be able to evaluate your medical situation as well as your abdomen and determine what modalities will help you meet your aesthetic goals. During your consultation, you should also ask to see as many before and after tummy tuck... more

Before and after photos are not a guarantee for tummy tucks

When looking at before and after photos on line try and find someone with a similar build to get an idea. Also look at the time line of the after. Is it the next day or a year? At a year the incisions often look better than they do at six weeks. Also it is important to know how the person in the photo responded to surgery. Did they go on to loose another 5- 10 pounds? Did they have other procedures done at the same time such as Liposuction or a breast... more

Using photos to judge or predict your possible result

Realself has obviously selected an outstanding result to represent the dramatic improvement that a tummy tuck can achieve and this is certainly possible. However, I do not feel that this is the typical result. This is most likely more than a straightforward tummy tuck and likely involves and extended abdominoplasty with liposuction.You should review the full range of possibilities rather than focusing on one specific result for you may be disappointed.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Before and After Main Photo - Representative of Most

Great observation and question. Yes that photo is more the exception than the rule. Results vary to the patient and surgeon. Best to have very realestic expectations. From MIAMI Dr. DARRYL J. BLINSKI

Tummy tuck before and afters

Thanks for the question. As Dr. Moelleken was eluding to, there are several factors which will play a role in your overall result of a tummy tuck including basal anatomy, your baseline weight (ideally you should be near your ideal BMI), and the skill level of your surgeon. I would suggest consulting with several plastic surgeons in your area and review dozens of before and afters to get a better idea of what you can expect as a comparable result. Warmest Regards, Glenn... more

Realistic before-after pictures

Most reputable plastic surgeons will show you a variety of results, from average to spectacular. there is usually a reason people get a spectacular result--- a fine surgeon, favorable anatomy, a good surgical plan. A reputable plastic surgeon has no interest in having a patient with expectations that are too high--- that can be a disaster for both patient and physician! Once you research and find several plastic surgeons and consult with them, review a number of before-after... more

No 2 plastic surgery patients are alike and neither are the doctors

The tummy tucks shown tend to be the best from each doctor but they do show a broad spectrum of starting points so somewhere you should be able to find someone who is somewhere near to you. Hopefully, you can find a surgeon with enough experience who has that patient in their own portfolio so you can really know what to expect. Just because one doctor has a result you like doesn't mean that another one can reproduce that. The photo shown is not what most people can... more

Before and after photos of tummy tucks on line

When you look at before and after photos on line of any procedure, remember that the surgeon will submit their best results. No surgeon will place an "average" result to compete with another surgeon's "best" result. Photos can be deceiving as well. I see a lot of them that are not even comparable or are taken in such a way to hide the flaws. The preop and postop photos do not have the same orientation, in the postop clothing covers the scar (which might be... more

Before and after photos: Are they representative of all results?

You are wise in asking this question. I'm sure most plastic surgeons would agree that the photo you showed has an outstanding result. Most of us would also be honest and say that it is NOT a typical result, but perhaps in the top 10% of results. When you see a Board Certified plastic surgeon, you can ask to see their great results, average results and below average results. All of us need to do touch-ups or revision once in a while so a good plastic surgeon will discuss that... more

Photos and results

Often times surgeons post their best photo results. Do not assume that you will get the same or better results.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Pre and Post-op Photos Not a Guarantee of Results

Pre and post-op photos which you view on web sites or in surgeon's offices do not guarantee that you will obtain exactly the same result. All surgeons, consciously or subconsciously, will pick their best results to show you. These photos can demonstrate possible results which you may ontain, but again there are no guarantees.

Tummy tuck

Being a smart "consumer" one must be aware of the limitations of, not just an individual plastic surgeon, but also of the human body. Many plastic surgeons tend to place only their best photos. That may not be realistic for you, but it only implies what can be if all of the issues for a patient is just right. Have good communication with a surgeon before going for a procedure.

Photos are not going to show you your results.

Before and after photos are not going to show you what final results you are going to have. The website you might look at might not be representative of a particular Doctors' results. Every patients' situation is different. Rather than look at photos, I prefer to discuss a patient and his or her problem and what to expect based on that. I find that one predictor of a good result is the ratio of the width of the rib cage (chest) compared to the hips. If the chest is as wide as the... more

Tummy tuck photos too good to be true

Certainly there is a large spectrum in body shape, skin excess, muscle laxity, height, and bone structure. With tummy tuck good results abound, however it is best to judge the effectiveness of a procedure based on a composite of results rather than a small collection of 'too-good-to-be-true' pictures. We all recognize them as something to wish for only, for such wishes infrequently come true. A bit deceptive, yes. It is however a good idea to review pictures and... more

Pre and post-op photos

I think that by themselves pre and post-op photos are not very helpful to individual patients. You cannot tell who is anatomically similar to you, you do not know exactly what surgical maneuvers were performed, and you especially do not know if there were complications or the patients were or weren't happy. I think there can be a disconnect between what photos may or may not show and what a patient is looking for them to show. A better test is to have in-depth consultations were... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Usefulness of Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos for me

Regarding: "Tummy Tuck Before and After Main Photo - Representative of Most Results? When you go to the tummy tuck forum, it pulls up a main photo of someone that "before" had lots of loose skin and fat and the "after" photo shows a very nice flat tummy with great shape. Do you feel that this photo shows realistic results for most people considering a tummy tuck? I tried to find the one I felt most like me, with the PS and on line. This person had much more loose... more