Tummy Tuck or Thermage or Laser? (photo)

I am a fitness trainer and was a model for many years. I am now 44 years old and in spite of my earlier career I am probably in the best shape i have ever been in now . Although, my skin didn't seem to get the memo!! I have had two children and was lucky enough not to have a single stretch mark or lose skin for the most part at all. Until recently, upper droops lower tight when standing but hangs when relaxed. Can i get results from thermage or laser? Or is it time to pull out the big guns? pics

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by lizzyz

Doctor Answers (10)
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TT for loose skin

I agree with you, that though you have little fat on your abdomen you do have access skin that cannot be corrected by lipo or laser procedures. An abdominoplasty will tighten the skin above and below that belly button and will no doubt give you a wash board abdomen. I would recommend consulting with a plastic surgeon and allow them to evaluate you in person. I hope this helps you. Kindest regards Neil J. Zemmel

A full tummy tuck is likely necessary to correct your concerns.

Thank you for your question and the photos. A full tummy tuck is likely necessary to correct your concerns. 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 or Thermage or Laser?

Thanks for the posted photos. As for a choice THE BIG GUNS!! are mine. But better to have in person evaluations so you can better understand what is involved.

Any auxiliar treatment ( laser, thermage, cavitation,mesotherapy etc) replace to minilepectomy combined with lypo

Any of auxilar equipments laser,thermage,mesotherapy,vacuomtherapy etc., replace a minilipectomy combined with ultrasound lypo, this should be your first election treatment for best result and great satisfaction

Non-interventional methods are not substitutes for abdominoplasty

Thermage or Laser may be useful for minimal defects in the abdomen but will not be effective in cases which require abdominoplasty. You are so right that, despite being in great shape, your skin didn't get the message. If the skin stretches out and is inelastic, you will need surgery. The photos may not tell the entire story so I would recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon in consultation to discuss your options.

Tummy tuck ususally best for loose skin, but . . .

Most often when there is loose skin in the abdominal area after pregnancies, a tummy tuck gives the best result. However, there is a sort of in-between category when there are no stretch marks and just a little bit of laxity. The best skin retraction in those cases is with liposuction with immediate post-lipo Thermage (about 40% more than lipo alone) vs. laser lipo (less than 20%). You would need to be seen in consultation to see if either of these is suitable but my hunch is that the tummy... more

Tummy Tuck, Thermage, Laser?

There are a variety of skin tightening devices that use different energies for some skin tightening effects. Most of these devices will lead to a very subtle improvement in skin tightness and cannot compare with the dramatic improvement in body contour seen after a well done abdominoplasty in appropriate patients. They are really not comparable treatments. Your best bet would be consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in body... more

Tummy tuck or thermage or laser

I agree with previous assessments that the very best result will be obtained with a tummy tuck. While you may get a little bit of skin tightening with thermage, it will in no way approximate what can be achieved with a well done tummy tuck. Liposuction is not an option for you. Your skin would just look more lax.

You have extra skin

A tummy tuck would be the perfect thing for you to get rid of the extra skin. Nothing else will work. You are a great candidate for the surgery, as it works best on thin people with lots of extra stretched out (blame it on your kids) skin.

Tummy Tuck, Thermage or Laser?

It appears to me that you probably carried your babies high in your abdomen and as a result you have redundant skin above the belly button. While you don't have the classic look of someone who needs an abdominoplasty, I doubt that anything less than that will give you a satisfactory result. To tighten the skin above the BB, it will need to be released. A plastic surgeon will be able to advise you better after an examination.