Would a tummy tuck get rid of a belly fat apron?

Question

I am 5'5. 125 lbs, 54 yrs old, and have never had a c section. No matter how small I am I cannot get rid of this thick, fat, apron. I have had it as long as I remember. Even b4 kids.Every woman in my family has it. Except my daughters. Is there any way besides having it sucked out, or cut off to get rid of it...Its nasty, and I hate it.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

It is hard to say anything for sure, without photographs, but what you are describing is exactly what a tummy tuck is designed to accomplish. You should see a board-certified plastic surgeon who could give you more information about how you could achieve the best results.

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

It sounds like attempts at weight loss have not helped you get rid of the belly fat. The next step would be to consider either liposuction or a tummy tuck. Which one is right for you really depends upon how much of your problem is fat and how much of it is skin. If the problem is just fat, then liposuction is the answer. If it a combination of skin and fat, then a tummy tuck is the best choice.

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

I don't believe there is any way to get rid of your excess belly fat other than by surgery. You should see a board certified Plastic Surgeon to evaluate your condition for a tummy tuck. It is a very satisfying procedure.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have hanging skin and fat then the only way to get rid of this apron is with a tummy tuck which removes excess skin and fat and tightens your abdominal wall

Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD · Answer

Dear Lynette6097,

	Not every abdominal apron is due to childbearing.  Heredity does play a role also.  From your description, the probable best course of treatment is an abdominoplasty(tummy tuck).  This will allow your plastic surgeon to repair any muscle changes secondary to childbearing and then remove the excess skin and fatty tissues.  Liposuction alone will not work if you have lax skin and/or stretch marks.  In fact, liposuction can even make it look worse.

	Your best course of action is have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who can help you understand the procedure and your recovery.

	Hope this helps.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

need to be excised if you wish to get rid of it... there is no other way to deal with excess skin like you describe. Look for a doctor in your area and understand the scars you will have to accept and know what their revision policy is as you are almost certain to benefit from a revision.

Craig Mezrow, MS, MD, FACS · Answer

The "Belly Fat Apron" needs to be evaluated.  If there is skin laxity and decreased "belly wall" or abdominal muscular  wall tone, abdominoplasty will be the appropriate procedure.  Whereas, if there is an area of isolated fat that is resistant to diet and there is good skin tone, liposuction can be performed.

	When a patient is not a candidate for surgery or doesn't desire surgery, there are some non operative options to improve skin tone and shrink fat using devices such as Venus Freeze.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Even give your petite size and shape there is no way to correct overhanging skin. This is due to skin laxity and unfortunately liposuction will not tighten lose skin with multiple stretch marks. Women who want to consider an abdominoplasty are willing to substitute a well placed low transverse abdominal scar. Your best option is to be examined by a plastic surgeon to understand your options.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

As you may have surmised, there is no way to get rid of an abdominal apron (pannus) but by cutting it off. This is more of an excessive skin problem than a fat problem in most cases. Removing it through some form of a tummy tuck will produce a very satisfying solution to this abdominal problem.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Assuming that your general health is satisfactory, that you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Liposuction will not be helpful, and there are no non-surgical remedies for what you describe. These patients are the most satisfied in plastic surgery practices. 

	If  you are ready for an in person consultation, RealSelf has listings of surgeons in your area. You should consider cross referencing the listings from the The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (plasticsurgery dot org). A listing in the ASPS website assures you that your surgeon is not only board certified,  but also is a member in good standing of the major plastic surgery organization in the U. S. Thank you for your question, best wishes.

Would a tummy tuck get rid of a belly fat apron?

Answers (11)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (11)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Tummy Tuck Dog Ears 9 Weeks Post Op? (photo)

I Had a Tummy Tuck Procedure Done 6 Week Ago. Should I Still Have my Drains In?

Effect of Sodium on Swelling Post-op?

Can a Tummy Tuck Be Done by Belly Button Insted of Having a Big Scar?

Tummy Tuck or Exercise? (photo)

Does binge eating effect tummy tuck internal sutures?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS