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Getting Rid of Loose Skin Without Muscle Tightening

asked 2 years ago by bzz77 in CA
Latest answer by Jaime Perez MD
Question viewed 2,910 times
Tags: weight loss, belly, loose, muscle, skin, tightening

I have lost weight and now have loose skin on my belly. I am trying to find out the best way to get rid of this.

I thought that tummy tucks were for getting rid of loose skin, but then I heard that tummy tucks also tighten muscle. I want the least invasive procedure possible and would therefore rather not have my muscles operated on. Is this possible?

Can anyone recommend a certain type of procedure that is good for loose skin?

13 answers to Getting Rid of Loose Skin Without Muscle Tightening

Tummy Tuck and Muscle Tightening

You are correct, the best way to get rid of loose, excess abdominal skin is with a tummy tuck. The vast majority of patients who have loose, excess abdominal skin secondary to weight loss or pregnancy also have seperation of the vertical abdominal muscles. The speration of these vertical midline muscles adds to the appearance of lower abdominal bulging, fullnes, and roundness. During a tummy tuck, the thick, fibrous covering of these muscles are sutured... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

Is it possible to have a Tummy Tuck without having muscle tightening?

Hi there- If you either do not have muscle laxity and roundness of your abdominal wall, or you do have this but are not concerned about it, it is possible to simply remove your excess skin and maybe do a bit of liposuction. If you do have a bit of roundness here, most reputable surgeons are going to want to repair this while they're there, as operating on you without attempting to achieve the very best outcome possible goes against our typical thought processes, but if you are certain this... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Loose skin redraping without muscle tightening can be done

Sure, I do this very frequently. It is a skin redraping only without muscle repair. Much faster healing. Go see 3 boarded plastic surgeons in your area to help you decide. Good Luck!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tucks without muscle tightening

Rarely, a TT can be done with no muscle tightening like in a man who has had massive weight loss. Don't be afraid of stitching the muscles together, it is simple, doesn't cut them, and doesn't add any risk to the surgery.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Loose skin on abdomen

Hi, the procedure of choice for you will depend upon how much loose skin you have and the condition of your muscles. There are newer liposuction systems which do allow the skin to become tighter, but this will not tighten muscles. I suggest that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area, who can examine you and discuss your goals with you. You may not need anything done to your muscles, but this will need to be determined by an examination. Good luck.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Options for loose abdominal skin

It used to be that a tuck was the only option for a woman with a buldging tummy. Then liposuction came along, and we could do a smaller procedure with virtually no scarring. However, people who have especially slack skin in their midsection need more than what lipo can offer. Typical candidates for a tummy tuck are women with drooping abdomens after pregnancy, women and men who've lost a great deal of weight, menopausal women, or older people with loose skin due to age. In the tummy tuck,... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Loose skin removed by tummy tuck

Hi Bzz77. A tummy tuck can be designed to meet your goals. It does not have to include tightening of the muscles. If your rectus abdominus muscles have not been separated, you do not need them tightened and you will still have a flat abdomen after the removal of the excell skin. If your muscles have separated and they are not repaired, your abdomen will appear a little rounded after the surgery, not totally flat. However, some patients choose this option and it is perfectly OK as long... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck abdominoplasty and removal of loose skin vs. muscle tightening

In assessing the patient prior to tummy tuck surgery the surgeon should know the relative amounts of excess/loose skin, excess fat and loose muscle above and below the level of the belly button. Decisions can then be made as to what type of abdominoplasty is warranted and whether or not any liposuction is required at the same surgery. If the muscle is quite loose or lax and you do not tighten it the result will not be optimal and you will not be happy. If the muscle is not loose there is... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck without muscle tightening

It is certainly possible to undergo a tummy tuck without a muscle plication. In fact, this is something that I sometimes suggest in patients who have excess skin with good muscle tone. This is a choice that should be yours after you have received a thorough evaluation with an explanation of the benefits and risks by a Board-certified Plastic Surgeon.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

To tighten the muscle or not in Tummy tuck

The muscle tightening in a tummy tuck is completely optional and in some cases adds nothing but increased complications. Your plastic surgeon should be able to tell you if you need the muscle tightening and what the consequences are when you don't tighten th muscle vs tightening the muscle. A tummy tuck should be tailored to the requirements and desires of the patient within reason.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tucks do frequently involve muscle tightening

Tummy Tucks do frequently involve muscle tightening, but it is not mandatory. It only adds about an extra 10 or 15 minutes to the procedure and can significantly improve the results if you need it. This does not involve cutting the muscle, just sewing them together, where they belong. It can add some additional discomfort to the procedure, but if your surgeon uses a pain pump, there is no additional pain. The procedure is always tailored to what you as an individual want or need. You should... more

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

"Least Invasive" Removal of loose tummy skin

All tummy procedures are NOT equal. To get a great result, the solution must FULLY address the problem. If you just have a little skin looseness below the belly button WITHOUT having lost a lot of weight or had any pregnancies - the a MINI Tummy Tuck will fix the problem by only removing a little skin. But, on the other hand, if you lost a lot of weight and or if you had a pregnancy or more, your muscles ARE split to the sides and should be addressed. IF in this case, ONLY a little bit of... more