Tummy tuck or alternative? Looking to treat stretch marks and loose skin (Photo)

Question

Hello, I am 37 yrs old; 2 kids and lots of stomach stretch marks and loose skin. I’m not sure about a tummy tuck but would love to feel confident enough to wear a bikini again. Is a tummy tuck the only option for me?

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

There is really no option other than a well performed tummy tuck with an ultra low incision. Nothing can remove stretchmarks, tighten skin (the way yours needs tightening), or restore your abdominal wall other than a tummy tuck. Go see Dr. Grunberg, she fantastic!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your tummy with excess skin excess fat and stretch marks. The surgery you need is a tummy tuck or an abdominoplasty. During a tummy tuck excess skin inside of the abdomen is removed, the abdominal muscle is tightened, the pubic region is raised, and reduced and the belly button is reestablished. This would be your best procedure. This can be combined with liposuction of the love handles to give you more shape. In your case, if one were to do just liposuction of the abdominal wall, you would be left with significant excess skin which would not look good. Therefore, liposuction alone is not the solution. You need a tummy tuck. Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your tummy.

If you have any more questions regarding a tummy tuck, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 tummy tuck or circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, tummy tuck or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Based on these photos, a tummy tuck is your best option. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for an in-depth review of options.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Because you appear to have loose skin, a tummy tuck would probably be the most suitable option. Other treatments may not achieve the dramatic results you’d like safely and predictably. A tummy tuck would remove loose skin and some stretch marks, while improving the appearance of those that remain.

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Based on your photos and concerns, I would suggest that a tummy tuck would be your best option.  This would address most of the stretch marks as well as the loose skin.  I would recommend scheduling a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Dear megnez84, thank you for sharing your question. Analyzing your case I can say you are candidate for Lipo in your abdomen, flanks and back + Tummy Tuck and if you like BBL with Vaser to assure better skin retraction. I'm sure those procedures will give you an amazing result! Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and series of photographs. Nothing replaces an in-person examination, but I think you would most benefit from a full tummy tuck and liposuction of your waist and flanks. The tummy tuck will tighten your stomach muscles, helping to achieve a flatter appearance, while removing excess skin and adipose tissue. Liposuction can be used to enhance your tummy tuck results by narrowing your waist and removing isolated areas of diet and exercise resistant fat. I would favor the full approach because it appears that your skin and muscle laxity is present above and below your belly button. Hope that this helps

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The only technique for you would be a tummy tuck. If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure 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.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear megnez84,
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

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From your photos you appear to be a great candidate for a tummy tuck.  This will remove many of the stretch marks and the loose skin that bothers you.  Abdominal wall laxity will also be corrected. The result will be a tighter, flatter tummy ready for a bikini!  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Tummy tuck or alternative? Looking to treat stretch marks and loose skin (Photo)

Answers (14)

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