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

Based on your history of weight loss and two pregnancies, you sound like a good candidate for a tummy tuck, especially if you're in good health, at or near your goal weight, and don’t plan on having more children. A tummy tuck can address loose skin, muscle separation (diastasis recti), and residual abdominal fullness, resulting in a flatter, more contoured abdomen and a more refined belly button. If your skin quality is good and you maintain a stable weight, results are typically long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing.
From your photograph, it’s difficult to assess the degree of upper abdominal muscle separation, but it doesn’t appear to be significant. An ultrasound can confirm this. If there is minimal upper rectus divarication, a mini abdominoplasty with repair of the lower abdominal muscles may be sufficient. While an umbilical float technique is sometimes used, I personally feel that floating the umbilicus more than 2 cm tends to look unnatural. If there is moderate or significant upper laxity, a full abdominoplasty with formal belly button repositioning would provide a more harmonious result. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help guide the best option for your goals.

Thank you for your inquiry! By your photos, you are a great candidate for a mini abdominoplasty procedure. We would love to see you in person and help you reach your goals. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon like myself and we can create a surgical plan for you!

Yes, an abdominoplasty is the correct treatment. You need your diastasis recti repaired and the skin tightened. I am not a fan of the umbilical float, which separates the umbilicus from its pedicle and displaces it downward. My preference is to keep the umbilicus attached. However, it is very important to keep the incision low, within your bikini line, and to use anchoring sutures to help prevent it from migrating upwards. Not many plastic surgeons know how to do this without leaving an objectionable vertical scar. I explain more on my website. But, yes, a well-done abdominoplasty is your best option.

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.

The first thing I thought I saw your photographs is that you might be a good candidate for a tummy tuck with a umbilical float. This would allow your muscles to be tightened a bit and allow you to get a flat lower abdomen. A plastic surgeon should be able to give you the best advice after a good examination. Look at some before and after photographs from different surgeons and do a little homework to determine who you might want to have for a consultation. Good luck!

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Based on the photos you may be a better candidate for the umbilical float tummy tuck but a formal evaluation of skin laxity is ideal to determine the surgical plan.

Dear Adventurous809037,


based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Yes, a tummy tuck would be the best option for you especially because you have had two pregnancies and what happens during the process is that the abdominal wall gets distended so this procedure will help not only in removing any skin that is left behind after pregnancy but also doing Repair will definitely give you a great outcome!

Hello, thank you for your question and the pics. I believe the final choice of procedure in your case is very dependent on a personal consultation, where skin laxity is assessed. So you are a tummy tuck candidate, as far as to fix the bulging of muscles, but you don't have that much excess skin, which in turn would cause the surgeon to perform a vertical compensatory small incision in the midline so as to relieve the tension. If I had to choose now, I would rather settle for a mini tuck with a mini tulua plication to tighten the muscles a bit. and paired with liposuction and fat transfer.
As far as the umbilical float, not, your navel would end up in an abnormally low position