Do I need a tummy tuck or liposuction after gastric sleeve? (Photo)

Thanks for the question.

In this regard, I recommend you a Tummy Tuck to get a flat abdomen and waist and back Liposculpture, getting better curves especially in the waist, improving your body contour.

Kind regards,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Thank you for your question and congratulations on the weight loss. I would recommend a tummy tuck to be done. It is the only way to get rid of the loose skin and to tighten up the abdominal wall muscles. I would suggest seeing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in person to evaluate you and discuss your options. Best of luck to you.

Dear mofaith2468,
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

You have excess skin circumferentially and you would require a tummy tuck or possibly a lower body lift using a circumferential approach. However, I would begin with your breasts using The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. At the same time or later, a tummy tuck can be performed. If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight. After these have been completed, you can consider liposuction or posterior continuation of the tummy tuck using a circumferential lift. If you do liposuction, the fat can be transferred to the breasts if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

After such a large weight loss, tummy tuck will best address your abdomen.

Liposuction of the arms, waist and back can be added at the same surgery.

Your arms appear borderline, Vaser ultrasound liposuction will remove stubborn arm fat and tighten skin to a degree and may be enough to avoid arm lift.

​An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to confirm this as well as discuss your options and expectations.

If you are healthy with a BMI of 30 or less, these procedures can be done at the same time with favorable outcome, one recovery, and less expense. You may be able to avoid the TT, but this will depend upon your exam and the precision with which the liposuction is performed. How flat the abdomen will be will depend upon how much fat is removed from the area as well as how you heal; however, the lipo will not repair the diastasis recti. After you have lost all the weight you intend to loose and held it stable for three to six months, consult with a board certified PS via email or Skype for an evaluation.

That is fantastic that you've been able to lose so much weight after your gastric sleeve procedure.

Based on your photos and description, I think you would most benefit from a tummy tuck and brachioplasty or arm lift. Many weight loss patients are left with redundant or loose skin following their weight loss. This is best addressed with the removal o the excess tissue.

Additionally, I would advise to wait to have your surgery until either you've reached your goal weight or you've plateaued on your weight loss.

Liposuction alone is not going to do much. You need at least a full tummy tuck and possibly a belt lipectomy. That’s where the tummy tuck is continued around your entire body. A breast lift would also be helpful. Your iricedures may need to be done in stages, which is fine. It’s hard to take care of all the issues safely in one operation.

Congrats on your weight loss! It is best to be seen in person, but based on the photos alone and history of weight loss, skin excision procedures would help you achieve the results you desire compared to liposuction alone. Though for optimal results, I recommend waiting for your weight to stabilize and for you to be close to your goal weight.

A tummy tuck will remove the excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer. Liposuction on the flanks is often done with a tummy tuck to help achieve an hour glass figure.

An arm lift reduces excess sagging skin, tightens and smooths the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm, and reduces localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region.

I would consult with a plastic surgeon in person so they may best explain the procedures that will help you achieve the aesthetic results you desire. Good luck!

Kamran Azad MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your question and series of photographs.  Nothing replaces an in-person examination, but once you have reached your stable goal weight I think you would most benefit from a full tummy tuck and liposuction of your waist and flanks.  The tummy tuck will tighten your stomach muscles, helping to achieve a flatter appearance, while removing excess skin and adipose tissue.  Liposuction can be used to enhance your tummy tuck results by narrowing your waist and removing isolated areas of diet and exercise resistant fat.   Hope that this helps