Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Is a Tummy Tuck my Only Option? (photo)

I am a 31 mother of two boys both delivered via c-section. I definitely am going to get a breast augmentation (not sure of saline or silicone). As far as my stomach, is there any other procedures besides a full tummy tuck that may be able to provide better results than the current state that it is in… ie, smart lipo, liposuction? I don’t want the tummy tuck scar. Thank you in advance for your replies.

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alternative c-section candidate

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23 Doctor Answers | Asked by Charmingmama in Parsippany, NJ

Doctor Answers (23)
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Tummy tuck not smart lipo is the best option for loose skin

While no one wants a scar, alternatives such as liposuction (with or without laser as with smart lipo etc) do not come anywhere close to the neceesary amount of skin tightening that is needed for a good result. This is especially true when there are stretch marks, as appears to be the case in the photos you posted; in fact you may end up looking worse. Your plastic surgeon will be able to keep the scar low where it won't be obvious.

Shortcuts NEVER pay dividends in Aesthetic Surgery

Hi there- What you are basically asking is, "can I get a tummy tuck improvement through liposuction?" (and NO, smart lipo does NOT offer any magic skin tightening above and beyond normal skin contraction after any liposuction).. Let's assume that your goals (I hope) are to be safe, and to have the best outcome you can... in other words, I bet you, like all women who want improvement in their body after children, would like to look the very best you can after surgery.... more

Alternative to Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Based on your pregnancy history and your photographs, I think you will do very well with tummy tuck surgery. Unfortunately, there is no good alternative. As you know, the downside with the tummy tuck surgery is the scar. The upside is the improvement in contour, elimination of the stretched redundant skin, and the “repair” of the abdominal wall muscles separation. If you do decide against the tummy tuck... more

Tummy tuck alternatives

Your photographs demonstrate the classic impact of multiple C-sections in a thin woman. The abdominoplasty scar is placed at the edge of the pubis and can be tailored so as not to be visible in your bathing suit. I do not think that the less invasive procedures would produce the result you are seeking. Personally, although you could undergo an abdominoplasty and breast augmentation simultaneously, I prefer to perform them separately so you can adapt to the smaller abdomen and then decide... more

Can I AVOID a Tummy Tuck and Still have a Flat Tummy?

Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck are not interchangeable. Liposuction removes excess fat but does not correct excess skin and stretched out and split abdominal muscles. Only a Full Ztummy Ztuc can do that. In your case, you do not appear to have significant fat under your abdominal skin. As a result liposuction ( including laser liposuction) cannot flatten the destruction caused by your pregnancies. If you want a great result, have s full Tummy Tuck. If you want a substandard,... more

Don't take a short cut to get your desired outcome.

Liposuction or any type is not likely to get you a flat stomach, because it will not tighten the muscle laxity that is causing the poochiness you have following your pregnancies. The tummy tuck will likely get you the "flat" abdomen you desire. The trade off is the scar, which can be covered by an appropriate style bathing suit.

Todd C. Case, MD

14 reviews

Tucson Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck will give you the best result

Based on your photo, it appears you have some loose skin as well as a weakness of the abdominal wall. These issues will be addressed nicely by a tummy tuck which will remove the excess skin of the lower abdominal wall as well as tighten the abdominal muscles. The only role for liposuction would be to treat your flanks or love handle area. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for more information and for a complete evaluation. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

Fascia repair is essential for successful tummy tuck

The photographs show a protruding abdomen consistent with damage of your fascia layer from the pregnancies. The most important part of the TT is NOT the skin resection in your case but the repair of your fascia. You are certainly going to need an abdominoplasty with fascia repair and consider mesh reinforcement if you are NOT planning on having children in the future. The flattening of your abdomen will make your breasts appear more attractive. This may allow you to... more

Tummy Tuck with give the best results

In reviewing your photos you have 3 very distinct issues. A muscle diastasis (seperation of the muscles), excess fat and excess skin. The only way to properly treat all three issues to give you the best result would be through an Abdominoplasty aka Tummy Tuck.

Tummy Tuck?

Dear Charmingmama, I believe you would be best served by having a tummy tuck. This will not only remove extra skin, but it will also tighten your entire abdominal wall. Of course you will need to be evaluated by a plastic surgeon and I am only assessing your photographs. Still, I think the scar can be kept low and mostly out of site. Most patients feel the scar is a fair trade for their now tight belly.

Tummy Tuck?

The best procedure for you would be a tummy tuck. This procedure would tighten your skin but also tighten the underlying muscles. Without addressing your muscles, your belly will still have a round appearance. Without tightening the skin, your stretch marks would still be present. Good luck.

Tummy Tuck the Only Option?

As someone who performs SmartLipo on a regular basis, I can tell you that you almost certainly be disappointed with the results of any type of liposuction procedure. Your photos suggest that you have significant stretching of your muscle wall and separation of the rectus (six pack) muscles. Correction of this problem can only be achieved with a tummy tuck. Most people do not want the scar associated with a tummy tuck, it is a tradeoff. You have to decide if the scar is worth the significant... more

Tummy tuck

From your photo and this is not the same as an in person exam, you look like you need a full TT because of muscle laxity and skin excess. Liposuction alone will not help.

Tummy tuck is the way to go

I do not think there is an equivalent substitute of a tummy tuck for you. If you choose not to have a tummy tuck do nothing at all, liposuction, etc will not offer much improvement

Liposuction or tummy tuck

There are three things real plastic surgeons look at in this case. The skin, fat, and muscle layer(fascia) of the abdomen. Liposuction, with laser or not, will only remove fat. Contrary to what you may hear, laser lipo does not tighten skin. It only induces scar formation. A Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty will address all three. Unfortunately a scar is unavoidable. In most instances you will find the scar is a small consolation for a flatter,... more

Randy Proffitt, MD

3 reviews

Mobile Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Is Your BEST Option

A tummy tuck is certainly not your only option, but it definitely appears to be your best option. It appears that you have a good bit of muscular laxity in your central abdomen and also that you have significant striae or stretch marks in the lower abdomen. Only a tummy tuck will address these two areas.

Better Option than Tummy Tuck?

In women who have had a couple kids and are left with extra skin and rounder belly the best option remains tummy tuck. If there is not a lot of extra skin then a mini tummy tuck may be in order. Either way, the rectus muscles usually need to be tightened as well. In San Antonio, I find that most women need a full tummy tuck.

Tummy tuck is a great option.

Hi. Given your history and photos, you would be a good candidate for tummy tuck. Tummy tuck is a great procedure for most moms with excess skin/fat and stretched out muscle. For all moms, our rectus muscle stretches during pregnancy along with belly skin. Unfortunately, even if you lose all the fat from the tummy, you would still have excess skin stretched out muscles. Therefore, tummy tuck is the only procedure to get rid of the excess skin/fat and to tighten... more

Is a tummy tuck my only option?

Without examining you and going only by your photos, you appear to have excess or loose skin and particularly stretched fascia and abdominal muscles. There is no other procedure, other than a tummy tuck, that will tighten your skin and repair/tighten your abdominal muscles and fascia. For most people who have this degree of laxity, it is well worth the scar...but only you can answer that.

Tummy Tuck Options

Unfortunately, if you have the physical changes that a tummy tuck corrects, as you do, none of the alternatives will give you the result you want. I see several patients a year that went somewhere and had Smartlipo or some other variation and still need the tummy tuck and could have saved all that time and money. Only you can decide if the scar is worth the change, but there is no other way to get the change.

Tummy tuck or something less?

Thank you for your question and the photos. I think that you would be disappointed with the results of anything less than a full tummy tuck. I don' t think any minimally invasive or nonsurgical procedures would get you the improvement you desire. To be sure, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a full and complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery. I hope this helps.

Tummy Tuck would be best

Your photographs show that you have excess skin with stretch marks that continue well above your belly button. There also appears to be significant laxity of the muscles of your abdominal wall. This is due to the previous pregnancies you noted. This means that repair must include removal of fat and skin, as well as, tightening of the muscle. There is no good way to do this, unfortunately, without a scar. I would caution you that the stretch marks go up so high... more

Only tummy tuck for diastasis and loose skin

Unfortunately after pregnancy the skin is quite loose and there is considerable laxity in the stomach muscles which only the tummy tuck will correct. The scar can follow the c-section and stay low. Liposuction just will not provide any meaningful solution. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com