44, two children - Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck procedure? (Photos)

Concerns about the appearance of the abdomen are very common among patients consulting with a plastic surgeon. Just like every patient is different…so too is every abdomen. Different problems require different solutions. Your board certified plastic surgeon is uniquely trained to identify the problems as well as the appropriate solution.

The abdomen is commonly addressed via liposuction or abdominoplasty (“tummy – tuck”). Which procedure is best is dependent upon the source of the problem.

Excess fat deposits underneath the skin can be addressed via liposuction. Liposuction will not address any other issues and may worsen the situation if there are other factors at play (such as skin excess and muscle laxity, see below)

Commonly patients concerns are centered around issues of excess skin as well as fat. A third factor, which is often overlooked by most patients is abdominal wall muscle laxity (typically seen in post partum mommies). The tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate excess skin and fat and tighten the muscles in the abdominal wall to create a smoother and slimmer contour. The tummy tuck is designed to target areas of the abdomen that have not responded to diet and exercise, making it particularly popular among people that have a lot of loose or sagging skin around the abdominal area due to significant weight loss, as well as women with excess skin and stretched abdominal muscles following pregnancy and childbirth.

Based upon your photos, you are a reasonable candidate for abdominoplasty. You do not have significant skin excess and may need to consider an umbilical float or vertical incision. However, this is best determined via in-person exam.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Thank you for your photos. To give you the best answer as to whether you’re a good candidate for a tummy, tuck procedure, a physical exam would need to be done where a pinch test of your abdominal skin could be performed to see how much laxity you have in your abdominal skin. If your skin is very loose, a standard tummy tuck with a low incision line would work well. If your skin is less lax, the incision may need to be moved slightly upward or the option of the umbilical opening being closed as a small vertical line could be entertained. An umbilical float is an option, but I have found that patients are less enthusiastic about the final placement of their umbilicus and the results from the surgery are very modest at best. Have a detailed consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your best options.