What patients say
Dr. Carmina Cardenas is highly regarded for her expertise in

Plastic Surgeon
I specialize in after weight loss procedures, I’m a post bariatric pt myself, WL and reconstructive surgery changed my life completely, after that I knew that I wanted everyone who had struggled with self esteem due to obesity to feel free and comfortable in t
Asked By: yhhse
ANSWER
Thank you for sharing your photos. Based on your current anatomy and the amount of excess skin, you are a good candidate for a Lower Body Lift combined with a Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty. This approach allows for a more complete removal of excess skin, especially in the upper and central abdominal area, where traditional lower body lift techniques may not provide sufficient tightening. The procedure will also help lift and reposition the gluteal area, improving shape, projection, and reducing the skin folds you currently have. In your case, a small amount of fat transfer can enhance volume and contour, restoring a more balanced and natural-looking figure. This surgical plan is designed to address both functional and aesthetic concerns, helping you achieve a more harmonious and proportionate result. To receive a personalized surgical plan and additional information about the procedure, you may schedule a virtual consultation, where I’ll be happy to evaluate your case in detail and guide you through every step of the process. Warm regards, Dr. Carmina Cárdenas
Asked By: honeygyrl009
ANSWER
Congratulations on your incredible transformation! With the amount of weight you’ve lost, a Lower Body Lift would be a great option to enhance your results. This procedure not only improves the contour and texture of your thighs (especially the outer and front areas), but also helps lift and reshape the buttocks, giving a more balanced and refined silhouette. You already have a fantastic figure, and a Lower Body Lift will truly showcase your body’s natural shape. A detailed evaluation will allow us to tailor the procedure to your specific needs and ensure the best possible results. I’d love to review your case and discuss how we can help you achieve your goals! Dr. Cardenas
Asked By: Loving979103
ANSWER
Hello! Thank you so much for sharing your story and congratulations on your amazing weight loss so far — that’s a truly incredible achievement! After reviewing your case, the best recommendation at this point would be to continue with your weight loss journey, ideally combining a healthy calorie deficit with consistent strength training 5-6 times a week. This will not only help you lose additional weight but also improve your muscle tone and body composition, which is essential to achieve the best possible surgical result. Right now, most of your remaining weight is concentrated in your abdominal area, and much of it is visceral fat (the fat around your internal organs). No surgery can remove visceral fat, and performing a tummy tuck with liposuction at this stage would come with higher risks, including healing complications like fat necrosis, and would not provide the flat abdomen or tapered waist you’re looking for. Once you get closer to your goal weight and your weight is stable, you would be a strong candidate for a Lower Body Lift with a Fleur de Lis technique. This procedure would allow us to remove excess skin, tighten your abdomen vertically and horizontally, and reshape your waist and lovehandles. It’s the best option for patients with significant weight loss who want the most refined and balanced result. Be encouraged!!! You are already on the right path, and with the right preparation, you can achieve a beautiful result that matches all your hard work. Dr. Cardenas
Asked By: Makemeovedr
ANSWER
Your abdominal protruding appearance is mainly because of Visceral fat and it will be mandatory weight loss (ideally naturally by changing your diet habits and adding consistent exercise 5-6 times a week) in order to have a safe procedure and a fantastic result. Based on your photo I consider at least 20 hopefully 30 lbs weight loss will be ideal. I foresee a beautiful flat abdomen, tapered waist and a wonderful figure after all. Be encouraged. Dr. Cardenas
Asked By: booklover321
ANSWER
Bodytite is for a minimum degree of saggy skin. Unfortunately you have a severe degree of saggy skin with severe stretch marks so both features make you an absolute candidate for a Tummy Tuck and muscle repair. Bodytite will let severely lumpy appearance and almost zero improvement on the degree of flaccid tissues. Bodytite has risk as well. Be encouraged. Doing the correct procedure, with the widely experienced surgeon, in the great facility will make your procedure a total success. You already have a great body frame and all you need to have a great outcome. Dr. Cardenas
Asked By: sadeyoung
ANSWER
After a pregnancy and on top of that losing a significant amount of weight have left you with a significant amount of saggy skin on your abdomen, actually, excess of fat is not your real issue, it is the excess of skin. No energy will eliminate the excess of skin you already have. You are an absolute candidate for a Tummy Tuck, muscle repair to create a flat and tight abdomen and also a tapered waist and beautiful feminine belly button, plus reduce and lift the mons pubic area. Lipo and energy will only leave your abdomen severely lumpy, fibrosis and will ruin the opportunity of having a great result after a tummy tuck. Look for an expert on Tummy tucks. Be encouraged!! Dr. Cardenas.
Asked By: Celticangel1980
ANSWER
I consider you should get done the back fusion surgery first and 6 months later the back lift because the back surgery may ruin the plastic surgery results. Be encouraged!!! Dr. Cardenas
Asked By: brightDays2024
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You already have a great body frame and great skin. I see an important aspect which must improve before surgery: a large amount of visceral fat which make you look protruding, and no surgery will eliminate visceral fat but losing weight before surgery. If you don’t lose weight and make your abdomen flat before surgery, muscle repair will not be possible to do and no improvement on the protruding appearance and no improvement on the waistline. After you achieve a flatter abdomen, you will be a great candidate for a Regular Tummy Tuck unless your buttocks become saggy as well as your lovehandles, then you will be candidate for a Circumferential Tummy tuck to tighten the lovehandles and lift the buttocks. A tight muscle repair will be absolutely essential to achieve a flatter abdomen abdomen and tapered waist. I would also advise liposuction to waist, lovehandles, possibly back, and use that fat to transfer to buttocks and hips. Be encouraged !!! You will feel amazing, confident, attractive after losing the weight and doing the correct procedure. Dr. Cardenas
Asked By: reem_18
ANSWER
You must be very proud of such wonderful achievement!! To start you have a great body frame and that foundation will be perfect for a great result. You have developed significant amount of saggy skin on your abdomen, upper body, and some on your lovehandles and butt and these features make you candidate for a Lower body lift 360. So if when you bend over the skin hangs towards the floor, most likely you are candidate for the Fleur de Lis. If you don’t want it, shouldn’t have it, but must understand that the excess of width on your abdomen will remain and will show when sitting bending over or wear tight clothes. Your upper back is very saggy and you are candidate for Back lift in combination with liposuction. But in my opinion all upper body procedures must be in a separated stage for safety and preventing the opponent forces of pulling or lifting. Be encouraged !! You will look precious and feel amazing after all!!! Dr. Cardenas
Asked By: Trustworthy667278
ANSWER
You have a beautiful body frame and your outcome will be amazing doing the correct procedure. You are an absolute candidate for Lower Body lift in order to do 360 skin resection, muscle repair, mons lift, real buttocks lift, lovehandles tightening, liposuction and fat grafting to buttocks. Be encouraged!! Dr. Cardenas
Dr. Carmina Cardenas is highly regarded for her expertise in