Tummy Tuck: Q&A
Ask a QuestionTummy Tuck Vs Liposuction for Abdomen
I am 112 pounds with thin arms and legs. My abdomen has always been large in proportion to my body, but after 3 C-sections, it is huge. I could pass for being 5-6 months pregnant. I have been told there is not a lot of fat there but the underlying tissues are very weak. Over the years I have done multiple abdominal exercises and nothing works. I am 60 years old and in good health. What do you recommend?
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19 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
bobbie_d
in Los Gatos, CA USA
+3
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction
Do the pinch test! Pinch your upper abdominal skin. if you can pinch about 2 inches of tissue or fat that means that the majority of your abdominal fullness is subcutaneous fat. In this case you should first consider liposuction. On the other hand, if you can only pinch one inch of fat in your upper abdomen, and you still have a large protruding abdomen, then it would seem that most of this fullness is due to loosness of the abdominal wall. In this case a tummy tuck would be better.
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+3
Given your description of your abdomen, I would imagine...
Given your description of your abdomen, I would imagine a tummy tuck would be the best procedure for you. It's an operation designed to tighten the abdominal wall muscles as well as to remove any excess skin that you may have low on your abdomen. Some liposuction can be performed at the same time, but the best thing to do is to consult with a couple of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in your area and get their opinions on what would work best for you.
+2
Tummy tucks address skin, muscle, and fat.
From what you describe you are suffering from a weakening in the muscle wall that is usually a result of pregnancy. Many women come in to my office desiring liposuction or even "Smartlipo" when in fact the correct procedure is a tummy tuck. An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a surgical procedure which allows the surgeon to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall (like tightening a corset,) remove the extra stretched out skin, and remove any excess fat. The tradeoff is a scar where...
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From the way you describe your body, it is clear that a...
From the way you describe your body, it is clear that a tummy tuck is the more appropriate procedure for what you want. Liposuction would do essentially nothing for you. The only way to improve your abdominal contour is to tighten the muscles and remove the extra skin as is done in a tummy tuck.
Make sure you go to an excellent plastic surgeon who does this procedure very often because you are a little older than the usual patient and need the judgement and technical expertise of an...
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Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction
Based on your description, the answer is probably a tummy tuck or a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction as it sounds that your primary objectives would be to tighten the abdominal wall and remove excess skin. Liposuction may help reduce the excess fat. I would suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who can provide you with an exam to determine more precisely the basis of your concern.
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Tummy tuck with muscle repair
A tummy tuck has the distinct advantage over liposuction and other non-invasive fat reduction technique in that it as the ability to surgically remove loose skin and also address the laxity of the underlying abdominal muscles - often called rectus diastasis. Based on your description, I would not settle for any other type of procedure as you need to tighten the underlying muscles to help flatten your abdominal contour and reduce the pregnant look. The C-section scar can be used...
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Tummy tuck versus liposuction
If your problem were just fat below the skin alone and you were willing to accept loose skin, then liposuction would be a compromise option. It is difficult without examining you, but if some of the bulging of your abdomen is due to the intra-abdominal contents pushing out, then liposuction will likely not be a good option and a tummy tuck with muscle repair and excess skin removal would be better.
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Tummy tuck
It sounds as if you would a good candidate for a tummy tuck; however, a photo would be nice. It would be a safe procedure for you.
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Perfect candidate for a full tummy tuck
It sounds like you would be a perfect candidate for a tummy tuck.
In a tummy tuck, the plastic surgeon will elevate the skin and fat and assess the underlying musculature. The plastic surgeon will then perform a muscle repair which it sounds like you would benefit from. The plastic surgeon would then remove any excess fat and then retake the skin and remove any excess skin and stretch marks at that time. This will have the benefit of tightening your abdomen removing excess skin and...
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Full tummy tuck not liposuction is necessary to tighten lax muscles
From your description it sounds as though you have lax muscles causing part of the protuberance of your abdomen. You need an exam to determine this. If you have lax muscles then a full abdominoplasty will be required. Mini tummy tuck does not allow full repair or tightening of the abdominal muscles. Liposuction only removes fat and will not tighten the tiummy if you have lax muscles.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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