Will a flankplasty help my stomach to look flatter? (photo)

Question

I had a consultation with PS and. He said Im not a candidate for a tummy tuck or muscle repair due to scar tissue. Ive had abdominal liposuction twice first time in 2008 2nd time in 2015 and I had weightloss surgery. He said I would be at risk for incision opening and necrosis. So he recommends a flankplasty. Will a flankplasty improve the loose skin on the abdominal at alll??

Mitchel Goldman, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. While it is impossible to make a complete assessment based on a single image, it appears your concerns are focused around the midsection. A flankplasty would focus on the hips and not provide much improvement in the area where you need it most. It’s possible you could see some good results from non-surgical skin tightening or additional liposuction performed by an experienced, board-certified dermatologist. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with one of these professionals to determine whether this approach might be a good choice for you.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos you appear to be a good full body intense liposuction including abdomen, waist, laterals and upper and lower back to improve your body contour and get better curves, especially in your waist area.
Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Flankplasty focuses on the area of the hips, rather than the entirety of the lower abdomen. Noting that you had WLS and are experiencing substantial scar tissue and flab, the TT would address abdomen laxity and muscle repair.  Having had liposuction before does not contraindicate a TT.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Geuris Cruz Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thank you so much for sharing with us your question and photo.
Based on your photo your body looks to be a good candidate of a Full Tummy Tuck, but a full examination is required. If the Surgery is done correctly, with all the cares, I do not see why you could have necrosis issues. 
Please check with another Board Certified Surgeons to get more recommendations. 
Best of luck,
Dr. Quiroz!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

this can be improved with tummy tuck, flankplasty which ive never heard of as a term but skin removal from the sides which is prob what you mean will not improve the stomach.
You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Although you have had liposuction in the past and prior weight loss surgery, you would still be a good candidate for an abdominoplasty procedure. We perform tummy tucks frequently on patients who have had these procedure done in the past.I would recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss which option would work best for you.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Even though you’ve had liposuction twice, you can get an excellent result with an abdominoplasty. An experienced surgeon can remove or disperse the scar tissue safely. You could also get further contouring of your waist and hip with liposuction.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Your skepticism and search for alternative opinions is justified.  Losing extra weight is always the best route to a more trim, fit body, you did the hard part.  If your abdomen bothers you (loose skin, irregularities), then tummy tuck or modified tummy tuck is the best treatment in my judgment.  Previous liposuction is not a contraindication.  Although liposuction related fibrosis may limit abdominal skin flap mobility, blood supply and safety may actually be improved by augmentation of collateral circulation.  Your short waist may be lengthened by flank liposuction in addition to modified abdominoplasty.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Helpful4386,
in most cases previous surgeries are not a contraindication for tummy tuck surgery. Flankoplasty will remove excess skin from your flanks which won't significantly improve abdominal loose skin or muscle separation. If you are considering a tummy tuck, you can always ask for a second opinion. 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

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thanks for the pictures and provided information as well.
Based on your photos, you are a great candidate for a full tummy tuck, to give you a nice tight tummy and get rid of the extra skin. 
Along with the tummy tuck, liposuction allows your plastic surgeon to transform your entire shape. You improve your waist, back and flanks.
In general, you need to be physically healthy and at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, be a non-smoker and your BMI needs to be 30 or less.
l recommend you to make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to talk about your goals and anything you need to know.
Good luck :)