The choice of procedure should be based on having a clear understanding about the underlying problem is combined with what you’re trying to achieve and of course what you’re willing to go to. To start with you are not alone in that wanting to have a tummy tuck. I’ve never met a patient who actually wants to have a tummy tuck, but I’ve met many were willing to undergo the procedure to get a type flat abdomen or reverse. Pregnancy related changes. Likewise, nobody needs to have a tummy tuck. It is a cosmetic operation and is only indicated. If they desire to have the results from the procedure are sufficient to justify having the operation. That said Liposuction and Tammy Taxi are not exchangeable procedures. They treat two totally different problems. To go back to the first part of my response, there are four variables that determine what someone’s abdomen looks like. In other words, there are four variables for tissue layers, and one or more of those can usually be determined to be the primary, secondary and tertiary issue when making an assessment for seven months abdomen. Each of the four valuables has its own way of being treated so it’s important to start off with a clear understanding of what the problem is or in other words an accurate diagnosis. Successful medical treatment basically always have to begin. They having an accurate diagnosis or a clear understanding of what the problem is. The four variables that determine what the abdomen looks like are abdominal skin laxity typically related to pregnancies or significant weight loss. The second variable is excessive amounts of subcutaneous fat. This is the fat layer between your skin and the muscle. The third variable is muscle separation from previous pregnancies. The last variable is excessive, visceral or intra-abdominal fat. You didn’t include pictures and without pictures we can’t begin to make an assessment. I suggest re-posting including proper pictures so you can get something out of these answers. Look at plastic surgeons and how they take before and after pictures to get an idea of what we need. Pictures should include your body from your neck to your knees, including your front side, side, and back side. Pictures should be taken from about 8 feet away. Having someone else take the picture or use the timer on your camera. You can crop pictures, so it doesn’t include your facial identity. Do not take pictures by using mirrors or holding out your phone. An even better suggestion if they have multiple in person, consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons in your community. You will notice the plastic surgeons may have different opinions, but will most likely lean towards recommending a tummy tuck. Most women who have pregnancy related changes need a tummy tuck because a tummy tuck treats skin laxity, and muscle separation, which are the two physiological changes. Women typically experience from having children. Pregnancies do not change fat distribution, so Liposuction does not properly treat. Pregnancy related changes. There are major differences in not only outcomes but philosophy, the ability to make accurate assessments, and overall commitment to patient candidacy among different plastic surgeons. Liposuction has a procedure has the greatest amount of variation, depending on who you choose as a procedur than any other plastic surgery operation. When done poorly patients are left disfigured and poorly performed. Liposuction results cannot be easily corrected. For Liposuction I recommend patients be far more selective than I ever thought possible when it comes to choosing a provider. The difference in skills and experience for this particular procedure is greater than any other plastic surgery operation. Being a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in an overall good reputation does not mean that somebody has mastered Liposuction, is even good at Liposuction or likes doing Liposuction. To get an accurate assessment and clear understanding of treatment options, as well as begin the vetting process to find the best provider I recommend patient start by scheduling at least five in person consultations. During each consultation ask you to provide her with their recommendations are after examining you. Talk to them about alternatives, procedures, and why or why not those may be applicable. You should ask providers to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection before and after pictures for whatever procedures they recommend to you. If they recommend more than one procedure, then you should insist on seeing a sufficient number of before and after pictures for each of the operations they recommend. For example, if they recommend Comito with Liposuction of your Waist and love handles, then you need to see a sufficient number of pictures who had that combination of surgery. For reference and experience plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you at least 50 sets of before and after pictures of commonly performed procedures like abdominal liposuction, or a tummy tuck. Being shown a handful of pre-selected images, representing the best results of a providers career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results look like in the hands of each provider. Ask providers to show you only pictures of previous patients who have body characteristics there is similar to your own body. For Liposuction to look very carefully at all treated areas to make sure there are no skin contour irregularities in any of the treated areas. Ask the providers to point out exactly what areas were treated and what areas were not treated and look carefully at transition zones between treated and untreated areas. For a tummy tuck results, Judge quality work based on who gets the most natural looking belly button with a low sat score that follows anatomic contours naturally, and evenly on both sides. I recommend patients be more selective than they think necessary when it comes to choosing providers for Liposuction especially but also for a tummy tuck. Do not assume anything, especially when it comes to confidence or experience, without seeing clear documentation of a proven track record by seeing sufficient numbers of quality before and after pictures. You’ll be reminded every day for the rest of your life. The time to be critical of plastic surgeons is before you schedule surgery. Take your time. When, in doubt, slow down and schedule more consultations. Whenever possible, I recommend patients avoid virtual consultations, and I highly recommend against traveling long distances for elective surgical procedures, if at all possible. Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD