What are some signs that you might need tummy tuck VS Liposuction?

Question

I am 5'9 155lbs, no children, 39 yrs. Always thin arms and legs, but always pot belly "pooch". I know pics are desired. But are there certain things that are dead give-aways when making this choice? I want a flat tummy.

John Nguyen, MD, FACS · Answer

The short answer is... if you have loose hanging skin, you need a tummy tuck.  Good luck and be safe.John T. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICSDouble Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Good question and it is one that is commonly asked.Patients will do well with liposuction should have skin of excellent quality. The skin has to be elastic enough to rebound after the underlying fat is removed. If the skin is stretched, or loose, liposuction can actually make the tummy look worse. The result can include hanging skin or in uneven appearance. Some patients have a bulge of their abdominal wall. This is more common in patients who have had a previous pregnancy. If a bulge in the abdominal wall is present (rectus diastasis) then a tummy tuck may benefit patient because and abdominal wall tightening (muscle repair) can be performed.In person consultation with a plastic surgeon will give you some very helpful information on how best to obtain your goals.

Eric Swanson, MD · Answer

Yes, photos would help.  You may have a weakness in your abdominal wall despite not having had children.  The main benefit of a tummy tuck for you would be tightening these muscles together in the midline.  Liposuction removes fat that is located between the skin and the muscle layer.  I almost always do at least some liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck.  Whenever a patient says she wants a "flat" tummy, I am already inclined to offer a tummy tuck, but of course I would need to at least see photos to know whether this might be a good idea for you.  I've attached a link for more info.

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Liposuction is a very powerful technique in the right hands, and can have dramatic results in a variety of areas and a in a variety of patients.  That said, the ideal liposuction candidate has localized fat deposits and quality overlying skin without significant excess skin or skin damage.  Fat can then be removed to a]strategically sculpt the body and accentuate feminine curves.  The skin then retracts over the new shape to give the final result.Tummy tuck, also know as abdominoplasty, is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and to restore the weakened abdominal wall, giving a firmer and smoother appearance.  We nearly always add liposuction to our tummy tucks to sculpt the body 360 degrees to achieve an ideal feminine figure.  
Both are very powerful techniques in the right hands, and can have dramatic results if done correctly.  You definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in these procedures.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck is indicated if there is muscle separation.  Liposuction alone can remove fatty pockets, but will not address muscle wall laxity.  If there is loose, hanging skin this can be worsened with liposuction, so a tummy tuck would be indicated in this situation as well.  The best recommendation for you will come from a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Marvin F. Shienbaum, MD · Answer

The major indication for a tummy tuck is the extra sagging skin in the abdomen. Abdominal fat can be extracted by liposuction but the laxity of the skin in the abdomen will not be   corrected. Liposuction alone   often leads to   disappointing   results. A combination of a tummy tuck with liposuction will take care of the stubborn abdominal fat as well as all the extra sagging skin resulting in a more defined hourglass shape.

John A. Millard, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm often asked this question by many of my patients. You could need 1 or you could need both. In most cases, patients who show up who have had several children, especially twins or triplets, will need both a tummy tuck and in 90% of the cases, liposuction as well. The good news is that the liposuction, for the most part, is included in the price of the tummy tuck. The liposuction does most of the work of the dissection for the tummy tuck so we include it as part of the procedure. To determine whether or not you need to have a tummy tuck versus liposuction alone, one of things you can do is called the "diver's maneuver" - where you bow or bend over about 40 degrees. If you have a bunch of hanging skin from your tummy, you will need both liposuction and a tummy tuc
I've attached a video showing what VASER liposuction can do for fat removal/skin tightening as well!

James A. Hoffman, MD · Answer

The first thing to consider is the elasticity of the skin. If you have no stretch marks or previous pregnancy your skin mat retract quite well with just Liposuction . An exam with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can determine the strength of your core muscles or whether that is contributing to the "pooch" also. The surgeon should be able to determine the best result for you based on your exam. They should also be able to show you lots of pictures of similar patients so you can judge for yourself and determine the result you are looking for. Best Wishes.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Tummy tuck is a great procedure to give a good abdominal contour when there are 1) excess hanging skin and 2) bulging from diastasis recti (muscle separation).  If there is a minimal skin excess with extra-abdominal fat, liposuction may be a good option for you.  Please visit with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can give you a better, educated recommendation after examining you in-person.  Best wishes!

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for your inquiry, normally, patients that have had either pregnancies and big variations in weight need tummy tucks. Loose skin and a protruding abdomen due of lack of elasticity of the muscles in the area could only be corrected with an abdominoplasty. Nevertheless, If you have good tension in your skin and you have been able to keep your weight stable, Liposuction is a wonderful tool that can give awesome results. Please have an in person or virtual (Skype) consultation so you can discuss thoroughly all your concerns, options and expectations, good luck in your PS Journey!Respectfully,Dr. Jaime Campos-Leon

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