Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Tummy Tuck Only Option? (photo)

Hi. I am a 49 year old woman with 2 grown children. I'm 5'1" and about 100 lbs. Both were 10 lb babies. I gained about 55 lbs with both-all just in the abdomen and have never lost the excess skin. I work out regularly and feel in relatively good shape. I realize that most people probably wonder why I even care at my age but it's so frustrating to know that you will NEVER achieve your goal or desired body (or even close), without a tummy tuck. Is that my only option? Thank you for your time!

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22 Doctor Answers | Asked by Portland Colleen

Doctor Answers (22)
Community Comments (0)

Short Scar Tummy Tuck

A short scar tummy tuck could produce the contour you want without a scar from one side to the other. A mini tummy tuck will not work, because you have skin laxity above the belly button.

Tummy tuck

Your tummy is not bad at all. any women would kill to have your body at age 50! If you do want the skin tightened, however, a tummy tuck is really the only options. The drawback is the scar involved and whether that is a worthwhile trade off for you. Good luck!

Tummy Tuck

You seem to be a good candidate based on height, weight and abdominal skin laxiety. Tightening the tummy would be the best way to smooth out the laxiety you seem to be most concerned about. The skin laxity above the belly button would suggest you would benefit from a full tuck but an actual physical exam would be best to determine that. I hope this information is helpful.

Options

You appear to be in good shape and have some skin laxity. It is hard to have 10 lb. babies without stretching out your muscles and skin. See a plastic surgeon

Is tummy tuck the only option?

In your case, I think abdominoplasty is the only option that will get you a good result. You just cannot tighten loose skin any other way. see video

Tummy Tuck Only One Option? #TummyTuck

I think so. You have two things that frustrate many of my patients, leading them to have surgery. One is the horozontal crease in the upper part of your tummy and the other is the skin that hangs when you bend over and there two problems spots are fixed with a tummy tuck...I agree that you look good standing straight and your girlfriends probably think you are nuts!!! But it does bother many women just like you...

Tummy tuck not only option but may be the best.

Although it’s difficult to tell from the photos that you submitted, it is evident that you do have some skin laxity. You appear to be in excellent shape and I understand the frustration you have regarding the skin laxity. There are no good non invasive options for the degree of skin laxity that you seem to have. Although a full Tummy tuck may not be necessary, the best option for removing the excess loose skin is surgical. Some modifications of a Tummy tuck is likely your best bet... more

Tummy Tuck Only Option?

Thank you for your question. The photos don't really show the problem you describe, since the shorts cover the area that is probably the loose area. There is really no good solution other than one that deals with removing the excess skin, and that does require a tummy tuck. I think you would be best to get an in person opinion. When you ready for an in person consultation, RealSelf has listings of surgeons in your area. You should consider cross referencing the listings... more

Tummy Tuck for Me?

With the usual disclaimers about making judgements based on photos and no exam, I suspect that an abdominoplasty is likely to be your best option. This will result in tightening of your skin and repair of the muscle laxity that has resulted, at least in part, from your pregnancies. Whether you are a candidate for a more limited procedure or not depends on your exam so your best bet is to see a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation. Your age is not an issue... more

Tummy Tuck Only Option?

Very Very hard top advise with the non nude posted photos. It appears as if a TT would be the correct answer BUT it is an over the internet guess. Either post dis robed photos or seek IN PERSON evaluations from boarded PSs in your city.

Tummy Tuck is only option

Based on your photos, you are an excellent candidate for a Tummy Tuck. You are slim and appear to be in good physical shape. You are the kind of patient we like to see. 49 years old is a great age! That is not old, and I am sure you have many wonderful years ahead. Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your expectations and concerns! Best of luck!

Robert E. Zaworski, MD

4 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

A tummy tuck is not your only option

It is hard to tell from your photo but your upper abdomen does not seem to be a big problem. If your lower abdomen skin is loose, you may be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck or possibly a floating belly button tummy tuck. These options would be less surgery and still give you a great improvement. I perform a number or variations of the tummy tuck to fit the level of loose skin and degree of muscle laxity. You should discuss this with your plastic surgeon. more

Tummy tuck is the ONLY option

Thank you for the photos and question. I see your frustration, since you look that you are in excellent physical condition. The loose skin and muscle looseness can be repaired via a short scar (like a C-section scar) mini abdominoplasty. This would define your muscles and will put sexy back into your body. 49 is not old by the way. See a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation. Good luck.

Option of tummy tuck

A tummy tuck will most likely be your best options. It will get you a flat belly, get rid of extra skin and when I perform tummy tucks I always liposuction the waistline which will give you an even better result.

Abdominoplasty:What are your goals

Can an abdominoplasty help you reach your goals. It depends on what your goals are. You have loose skin and I cannot tell if your muscles are tight:are the pictures with the muscles tensed or relaxed. You would get an improvement in the skin and muscle issue but be aware that when you bend over you will still have some loose skin(otherwise you would not be able to stand up) The trade off is surgery and scars but you appear to be someone who would get an... more

Tummy Tuck?

Hi. First, 49 is still young. Reading your history, and looking at your pics, I can see that your strength layers and skin are stretched, and that you do not have a thick fat pad. Your best option is a full tummy tuck, as the defect extends above your belly button. Of course, this is elective, and you may choose to do nothing. Laser lipo is an option as it shrinks skin, but I think results will not be great, as you... more

Is tummy tuck the answer?

You are in excellent shape with only modest excess skin. It may be difficult to get the skin to pull down enough for best results with a full tummy tuck. You would need to be examined for best advice, but another option would be a mini lower abdominoplasty and an upper abdominoplasty pulling the upper abdominal skin up under the breasts.

Tummy tuck after large babies.

I am in agreement with the other physicians as you look like you are in great shape at any age. You appear to be a wonderful candidate for a tummy tuck as it will help you realize your goals for the appearance of your tummy. Good luck.

Tummy tuck may not be the only option, but it is the best

I agree with everyone's comments. From the photos you really have a nice flat abdomen, especially after having such large babies. The non-invasive methods will give some improvement, but when patients show me their excess skin while flexing their abdomen I really encourage them to undergo the full tummy tuck. If they don't, they generally are dissatisfied with the outcome because the skin is not tight enough with a non surgical option. Having realistic expectations is... more

Tummy Tuck Only Option?

You look great for 49 years old. As Dr Pousti and Dr Sorokin pointed out, nonsurgical options will only give modest results (if any). Although you can try them (Thermage, and other radio frequency treatments), be prepared to see no result. Based on your pictures, a tummy tuck is very likely to give you the result you desire.

Tummy tuck is likely your solution

I agree with Dr. Pousti that non-invasive procedures, lasers, ultrasounds, creams, and other attempts to improve your abdomen's loose skin will likely be very unsuccessful. You have done a great job keeping in excellent shape and yet the loose skin bothers you. I have to respectfully disagree that an abdominoplasty would be overkill. I operate on many ladies who start with limited amounts of loose skin and yet it bothers them. You work out, take care of... more

Tummy Tuck Only Solution for Patient in Good Shape?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Your pictures demonstrate a young lady who seems to be in excellent shape. However, based on your pregnancy and weight gain/loss history, I think the only way to significantly improve the appearance of your abdomen would be to undergo tummy tuck surgery. On the other hand, the appearance of your abdomen ( although not your goal abdomen) is quite nice making me wonder if tummy tuck surgery may be “overkill”. In other... more