Will I Need a Tummy Tuck or Will Large Volume Lipo Be Ok? (photo)

Thanks for your question and photos.  Based on your pictures, it appears that a tummy tuck will give you the best result.  However, the decision is somewhat based on your goal as large volume liposuction may give you a very acceptable result.  Make sure you are clear in your goals with your surgeon.

The picture demonstrates a sizable amount of subcutaneous fat but there is also a sizable amount of redundant skin and probably laxity of the abdominal wall. The best overall result would be from abdominoplasty.

It appears from your photos that you'll most likely need a tummy tuck to get rid of the excess skin.  Large volume lipo will be good to remove the excess fat, but I think you'll be disappointed afterward when you have a lot of hanging skin afterward.  Good luck!  Dr. Schreiber, Baltimore plastic surgeon

In my humble opinion first of all you will need to lose some more weight and not only for better results but for safety ( reduce risks) reasons. Hopefully you may reach 190-180 prior any type of surgery. Skin retraction occurs on skin which is not that saggy. So, I do not want to be discouraging but honest and I do not consider your skin will retract and lipo would only make your abdomen saggier and lumpy. In my opinion you will need an extended Tummy Tuck to get rid of the saggy skin (after losing the weight will be a bit worst) and the muscle repair will help to achieve a flatter abdomen and tapered waist. I have had many patients pregnant after a Tummy Tuck and not problems through the pregnancy and if you maintain your weight during pregnancy your results will be there after delivery. Hopefully you have a great experience on your PS journey Dr. Laura Carmina Cardenas

You are young and without children at this stage. Ideally you need a face to face consult. My advice is to initially consider liposuction and review after about a year. I prefer vaser liposuction as there is generally a little more skin retraction and less chance of ending up with loose Skin. If this does ensue then consider a tt.

        Liposuction of 5 liters from the upper abdomen and the flanks followed by a tummy tuck will give you the smallest waist and flattest stomach possible.  Find a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy tucks and liposuction procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

It looks like a tummy tuck is the right answer based on your pictures. If you plan to lose any more weight do it first. I do not think your skin will shrink if you do just lipo. Good Luck!

Lipo alone will not yield the best results. Combine with a tummy tuck and I think you will have a more dramatic result. Remeber that if you have children someday, it will undo any benefit you get from the tummy tuck.

Usually large volume liposuction in the abdomen for a patient like your photo will leave you with a large amount of excess skin that you won't like. I can't tell for sure without seeing you in person but if all that extra skin is what you do not like generally a tummy tuck with or without liposuction is needed.

The answer to your question really has to do with what your ultimate goal is.  I you only want a little less bulk on your waistline, and you don't mind some looseness of your skin and muscle layer, then liposuction will do.  If, on the other hand, you would like a flatter, firmer tummy contour along with smoother skin and less bulk on the waistline, then you would be best served by a tummy tuck together with some liposuction of your flanks and lower back.  I just don't see that liposuction alone will result in enough smoothness and tightening of your tissues to meet that goal given the amount of looseness that it appears that you have.  So, my best advice is to evaluation what YOU really want out of the operation, and then discuss that with your surgeon.  He will then advise you on the best approach to meet that specific goal.  Best of luck.