32-year-old Male - Which is better after having lost 100 lbs over the past 14 years - lipo or tummy tuck? (photos)

Question

My biggest fear about the Lipo is choosing the right kind and making sure my thick love handles could be removed and skin won’t be too loose. With a tummy tuck I would be concerned that the skin would be super tight after and stretch marks would form/I wouldn’t be able to stand up straight. Also finding a really good surgeon is so hard it seems. 6’ 4” also leaves me concerned about the amount of skin a tummy tuck would remove. Hoping can get by with Lipo. Idk.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and photos. A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of the abdominal muscle. The abdominal wall can be weakened after significant weight gain & loss. By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well. The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset, which will accentuate your curves. Liposuction will remove excess fat from unwanted areas with some skin retraction. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Dhaval Patel MD 
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago 
South Barrington 
Oakbrook 
Orland Park

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Liposuction only removes the fat not the skin. The skin will hang after liposuction so you are better off with a tummy tuck with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more flatter appearance by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Liposuction alone will only lead to sagging, or hanging skin.  The best treatment would be a tummy tuck to address the skin redundancy.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Genuine1067,
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

Gilbert Lee, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and photos. A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of the abdominal muscle. The abdominal wall can be weakened after significant weight gain & loss. By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well. The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset, which will accentuate your curves. Liposuction will remove excess fat from unwanted areas with some skin retraction. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Sanjib Tripathee, MD · Answer

You don't seem to have lots of loose skin, and fat deposit is also not significantly high. Without examination ,I can't say for 100% sure but seeing your picture ,I fell liposuction of abdomen and lower flank is good option for you. I expect your skin will retract well without much of loose skin.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss. Based on your limited photos, you appear to be anatomically a candidate for a full tummy tuck and liposuction of selective areas. It is difficult to tell whether you are a good candidate without a physical examination and complete medical history. It would depend on your anatomical findings, motivation, realistic expectations, and whether you are finished having children.

Lesser procedures like liposuction alone can improve the love handles but  will not produce a good cosmetic result of the abdomen in a patient with your anatomy.

If a member of my family underwent these procedures, they would be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) . If you are serious about undergoing these procedures, you should have a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon having those credentials, who will fully explain what is entailed in the procedures, including both the positives and potential problems. You should be complimented on the fact that you are seeking valid information before jumping into any procedure.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Your best option is liposuction of your sides and lower back (love handles) along with an abdominoplasty.  You have excess fat and skin of the anterior abdomen, your belly is convex (curved outwards) and you have striae (stretch marks at the lower belly) .  These conditions combined means you are a better candidate for the liposuction of your flanks with an abdominoplasty.
Best wishes.
Dr. Taranow

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your impressive weight loss!  From  your photos it appears you will benefit most from a tummy tuck with liposuction for contouring.  This will remove excess fat and skin, giving you a flatter, tighter tummy and contouring the flank/love handle areas.  You can search for qualified board certified plastic surgeons near you using the ASPS website.

32-year-old Male - Which is better after having lost 100 lbs over the past 14 years - lipo or tummy tuck? (photos)

Answers (9)

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