Looking for advice should I get a tummy tuck or just liposuction for a flat stomach? (Photos)

Liposuction can reduce pinchable fat, but it does not tighten loose skin or repair muscle separation. In your photos, there appears to be abdominal fullness along with lower abdominal skin laxity/folding, so liposuction alone may make the area smaller but not necessarily flat or tight.

A tummy tuck is usually the more reliable option when the goal is a flatter abdomen and there is loose skin, an overhang, or possible muscle separation. Sometimes liposuction is added to a tummy tuck for waist and flank contouring, but the safest plan depends on your exam, skin quality, BMI, medical history, and whether diastasis is present. An in-person consultation is the best way to decide between lipo alone, tummy tuck, or a combined approach.

Thank you for submitting your question and including photos! Liposuction of the abdomen is only going to cause your abdominal skin to be looser as that will increase skin laxity. An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) includes liposuction of the abdomen but gets rid of excess skin as well as tightens the abdominal muscle creating the flattest abdomen possible. I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself so we can create a surgical plan that is best for you and your goals!

Hello and thank you for your question! Liposuction alone would be best if your concern is only excess fat. If your concern is excess fat AND excess skin, then a tummy tuck would be best for you. As always, an in-office consultation with a plastic surgeon would be best to help evaluate what procedures and techniques would work best for you and your specific concerns. Hope this helps!

Nayy0722, it is difficult to determine what you would most benefit from without a proper in person evaluation. A tummy tuck removes skin and excess ft, with or without tightening up your abdominal muscles if you have diastasis (weakening of your muscle wall). However, if you have more intraabdominal fat (fat around your organs) this will not be improved with a tummy tuck. Liposuction alone can slim and flatten the abdomen by getting rid of fat above the muscle layer, though does not get rid of skin and therefore you may feel more "squishy". My advice would be to have an in-person evaluation to see what would be best suited for you. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. Looking at the photos you have provided it looks like you maybe dealing with some intra abdominal fat, diastasis and some extra skin. I would suggest a tummy tuck. This will allow your Surgeon of choice to tighten up the abdominal wall muscles and pull down the extra skin. Some Surgeons will also do some liposuction on the flank area to help contour the mid section a bit more. A low carb diet and exercise is also good to help reduce the intra abdominal fat. I would suggest seeing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in person to evaluate you and discuss your options. Best of luck to you.

You appear to have loose skin, therefore a tummy tuck would be more suitable for you. Liposuction would not be sufficient as it would leave you with loose skin and a “muffin top”.

Hello @nayy0722, thank you for your question. As part of your surgical plan I suggest you take into account to have a tummy tuck and liposculture. Each procedure serves a different purpose, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and strengthens the abdominal muscles, in which there is abdominal lipolysis, abdominal diastasis repair, skin removal with umbilical reconstruction depending on each case. On the other hand liposculture we take out fat from all parts of the body to make it more harmonious. The two procedures combine will give you the best results and the flat stomach that you desire. Is important that you consult consult with several board certified plastic surgeon. If you are considering surgery, consultation with a plastic surgeon who is experienced in this procedure is essential to ensure optimal results. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

The flat stomach you desire will be achieved with a tummy tuck. If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello and thank you for posting your questions with photos. Liposuction will make your tummy flatter. But liposuction only treats excess fat. A tummy tuck treats excess fat, excess skin and muscle separation with muscle repair.
So, while you will get good results with lipo only, a tt will treat more issues and therefore give you a smaller, flatter and tighter tummy.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Dear nayy0722,
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