Am I candidate for liposuction or laser liposuction?

Question

Please give your professional opinion on the best procedure to get rid of fat in my abdomen, flanks, and back. I want to have a flat belly with pronounced curves. I had a baby a year ago and have not been able to lose the weight through exercise or diet. I am heavily considering liposuction and laser liposuction. I would also like to know the estimated recovery time for your suggested procedure. Thanks.

Mark Edward Hennessy, MD · Answer

Power Assisted Liposuction would offer the hourglass figure and removal of fat from your low back. Based upon your history (one year old child) and photo I believe that you have a weakness of the two “strap” muscles of the front of your abdomen (called diastasis recti). This malposition of the muscles causes a protuberance of the abdomen. The fatty tissue of the abdomen could be auctioned out but you will still have a protuberance. Does this mean that you have to have surgery to repair? No, first step Google exercises for Diastasis and weight loss. Also, look in mirror and ask yourself is my goal really to be perfectly flat ( tummy tuck) or would I be happy with improved waistline, hourglass figure, but with a protuberant belly that would require exercise and or surgery to repair. Hope this is helpful.

Hung William Song, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for posting your pictures. Because of the amount of fat that would need to be removed from your abdomen, liposuction alone will leave you with too much overhanging skin. A tummy tuck with liposuction would be ideal. If you are not looking for a flat tummy but want a good reduction of the overhanging fat, you will need a skin tightening procedure along with the liposuction. Laser assisted liposuction can give you some additional tightening but that is old technology. A better choice would be Renuvion which uses helium gas and radio frequency energy to achieve maximal skin tightening if surgery is not an option. We usually perform this type of liposuction over two sessions to minimize the loose skin.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Body contouring procedures have become increasingly popular and can help men and women recontour their body in adulthood. If you have stubborn areas of fatty accumulation that are more resistant to diet and exercise, you may be a candidate for body sculpting liposuction performed at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica. Liposuction remains one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery and allows patients to slim and toned their waist line, back, arms, and legs using this minimally invasive and highly coveted procedure.

Among the most common areas to have liposuction performed is the waist line and stomach area. This makes liposuction an excellent alternative to a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck. If you have had fluctuations in weight, you may benefit by recontouring the waistline and abdomen using liposuction. Patient with excessive skin in the lower abdomen from childbirth or from excessive weight loss may not respond well to liposuction because the extra skin will continue to hang. In these patients, and abdominal plasty procedure is preferred.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Adam Kinal, MD · Answer

Hello CharmingNFlawless,Thank you for posting your photographs. Liposuction and Bodytite may be possible for you; however, it would depend on the skin's condition. During childbirth, if the skin is stretched too much and rips, leaving stretch makes, otherwise known as striae, it can not spring back like healthy skin. The condition of the belly skin is not visible in the photographs, and an in-person consultation with a surgeon would be advisable for a more accurate recommendation. Also, an examination is necessary to see if you need a rectus plication as the rectus abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy and can leave the appearance of a pooch on the stomach. If a flat, tight stomach is desired, a tummy tuck surgery may be the best option to get your desired results. I suggest contacting surgeons who specialize in these procedures and getting several opinions in person before moving forward.Good Luck, Dr. Kinal

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear CharmingNFlawless,
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

Karan Lal, DO · Answer

First off congratulations! If you are planning on having another kid I would wait to do anything. I think you need a mini tummy tuck with some liposuction with a plastic surgeon

Philip Conrardy, MD · Answer

You would definitely benefit from Liposuction and be a great candidate. The recovery time for your procedure would be at least a week. You may also need to have extra skin removed.

Victoria Falcone, DO · Answer

It appears that you may have some laxity to your abdominal muscle. If there is a big difference in your appearance when you suck your stomach in and then push it all the way out, you may have a rectus diastasis. Laser liposuction, such as Smartlipo, can help with your flanks and any pinch-able fat on your abdomen. Laser liposuction will not correct a loose abdominal muscle.. If your abdominal muscle is loose from a rectus diastasis, you will need a tummy tuck to achieve a flat stomach. 
If your goal is to decrease the size of your abdomen and shape the waist, you can consider Laser liposuction or Vaser liposelection. Both techniques help to tighten the skin and remove unwanted fat.

T. Joshua Baker, MD · Answer

Congrats on surviving year one of motherhood! That's a tough job. It appears form the pictures that you would be a great candidate for a lipo procedure. However, you should also plan to take action to prevent skin laxity as well. Our QuantumBody procedure addresses both and is one option to address your stubborn fat post baby. Good luck with your journey!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on the posted series of photos you need any type of liposuction. Laser lipo is not as aggressive as traditional or high def lipo. Fees $6,000. Best to virtual consult with... BTE you will need a TT in the future after lipo.

Am I candidate for liposuction or laser liposuction?

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