Lipo or Tummy Tuck with an upside-down T?

I recently had a Tummy Tuck consultation with a plastic surgeon. I'm 5'3, 110 lbs, and I want a full Tummy Tuck, but might end up with an upside-down T. The other option was aggressive Liposuction on the abs and flanks, Vaser Liposuction, and lower skin excision. Which option is better for me? Why would I end up with an upside-down T?

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10 answers to “Lipo or Tummy Tuck with an...”

A: Without a picture it is hard to give specific advice

David Shafer, MD

Without a picture it is hard to give specific advice.  With abodminoplasty, there are many options.  The inverted  or up-side-down T is only necessary if there is not enough loose skin between your belly button and the low incision.  It is rarely necessary to do this.  In most cases,... more

A: There are many options available

Charles Perry, MD

When considering to proceed with a surgical procedure you must feel comfortable with the plan and the surgeon. From the sound of your question you are not excited and are looking for another option. Perhaps you should seek another opinion before making a decision. The inverted t incision works well for... more

A: Avoid "aggressive liposuction"

Richard P. Rand, MD

Overdone liposuction will potentially cause damage to you that is not correctable and won't tighten your skin as well as a tummy tuck.  There are many scar patterns availablefor tummy tucks and usually we try to avoid a vertical as often as possible. 

A: Tight skin with long scar or less fat?

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

You are 5'3'' and weigh 110 pounds, so I assume your problem is not a big abdomen with a lot of fat. I assume what you want is tight skin, but not having a lot of excess skin, the surgeon is worried the skin over the belly button will not reach all the way to the pubis. Ask him how long the vertical scar will... more

A: Different versions of the upside down T scar for abdominoplasty

Richard Baxter, MD

There are a couple of things to consider here. Usually, when we refer to the upside down T scar, it is a vertical line extending all the way from the navel to the horizontal scar which is low. This is done only for massive weight loss patients, which doesn't sound like you. The other version is a short,... more

A: Have not been impressed with "upside down" results

W. Tracy Hankins, MD

In my opinion, few women are good candidates for the "upside-down" procedure you refer to.  Most patients can get excellent results with the traditional horizontal lower abdominal scar, possibly with a small vertical extension if the skin laxity is not great enough to allow advancement of the... more

A: Upside down "T"? incision for tummy tuck

Steven Wallach, MD

 It is difficult to suggest one option over another without examining you. I am not sure why your doctor suggested a "T" incision unless you had massive weight loss and you have significant skin laxity.  If you are unhappy with the suggestions from the surgeon you meet with, get a second... more

A: There is probably a better third option.

George J. Beraka, MD

Hi! It's hard to tell exactly without examining you, of course, but most women like you benefit by a full abdominoplasty with a low, horizontal scar only.  I doubt very much that you need an upside down T scar, unless you have lost a great deal of weight.  I have published about this topic. On the... more

A: Tummy tucks options

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

It seems as though you're caught in the middle of several tummy tuck options.  For those that don't have a lot of excess skin and fat, but do have some abdominal wall laxity, a full tummy tuck is an option, but in order to keep the incision low you may have a "t" incision.  This is because... more

A: Patients generally are dissatsified with vertical abdominoplasty scars

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

These are two very different options. Although the upside down T may give you the overall best correction, I have had many patients complain about the vertical scar when performed by other surgeons. Therefore I tend to avoid it with the exception of massive weight loss or previous vertical scars or severe... more

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