Would laser Lipo work for me or is it a waste of money? (Photos)

Personally, I have helped many patients kick start weight loss by removing belly fat with Vaser ultrasound liposuction. This will also tighten skin to a degree. A tummy tuck may still be indicated later after ideal weight has been reached.An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations.

The belly is the problem. Your belly shows stretch marks which won't improve with lipo or lasers, loose skin which won't improve with lipo or lasers, and loose separated muscles which won't improve with lipo or lasers. You need to lose weight and once you've lost the weight, you would need a tummy tuck to fix everything that needs tightening. Lipo around the sides will add the finishing touches to the waistline.

Thank you for your question. I suggest that you consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to determine your candidacy. You may be an ideal candidate for SculpSure, a body contouring procedure with no downtime and no recovery that can eliminate up to 25% of your stubborn fat.
Best wishes,

hello fml123  I have researched and used most laser and body contouring devices and have chosen to use Vaser to provide my patients with the safest treatment and most consistent excellent result. #lipo #options

Thanks for your question and pictures.  Liposuction is typically best for patients that have good skin tone since the skin will need to retract after fat is removed by liposuction.  Adding a modality such as laser (SmartLipo) or radiofrequency energy (BodyTite) can lead to some skin tightening.  BodyTite is a newer technology that shows more significant skin tightening than SmartLipo and may be beneficial for you depending on your goals.  Your skin shows significant stretch marks so even with BodyTite, you will likely still have some skin laxity after liposuction.  Ideally, a tummy tuck would be your best option.  You may consider a BodyTite procedure (contouring but not weight loss) to help you "jump start" your weight loss process and then plan on a tummy tuck at a later time when you reach your goal weight.  Meet with a board certified plastic surgeon for an in person consultation.

Concerns about the appearance of the abdomen are very common among patients consulting with a plastic surgeon. Just like every patient is different…so too is every abdomen. Different problems require different solutions. Your board certified plastic surgeon is uniquely trained to identify the problems as well as the appropriate solution.
The abdomen is commonly addressed via liposuction or abdominoplasty (“tummy – tuck”). Which procedure is best is dependent upon the source of the problem. 
Excess fat deposits underneath the skin can be addressed via liposuction. Liposuction will not address any other issues and may worsen the situation if there are other factors at play (such as skin excess and muscle laxity, see below)
Commonly patients concerns are centered around issues of excess skin as well as fat. A third factor, which is often overlooked by most patients is abdominal wall muscle laxity (typically seen in post partum mommies).  The tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate excess skin and fat and tighten the muscles in the abdominal wall to create a smoother and slimmer contour. The tummy tuck is designed to target areas of the abdomen that have not responded to diet and exercise, making it particularly popular among people that have a lot of loose or sagging skin around the abdominal area due to significant weight loss, as well as women with excess skin and stretched abdominal muscles following pregnancy and childbirth. 
Candidates for tummy tuck should be already at or near their ideal weight for optimal results. It is recommended to women that are planning on becoming pregnant to postpone the procedure until they are finished having children.
Based upon your photos alone,you may benefit from a full tummy tuck. You have significant skin excess and laxity. The potential for tightening post liposuction is minimal in light of the stretch marks (dermal tears) which are the hallmark of skin with poor inherent tone or elasticity. Liposuction alone is likely to worsen the problem. While it is true that laser liposuction/SmartLipo does confer some degree of skin tightening secondary to the heat from the laser, your situation is unlikely to improve significantly without excision.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS)

Congrats on the baby!Laser Lipo is a great way to help remove unwanted fat cells. You do have some stretch marks so the ability of the skin to fully recoil could be an issue.  Liposculpture will help contour the body and removed stubborn areas, I always let my patients know that this is not a substitute for weight loss, so that will still be part of the over all equation.  See a body contouring specialist for best results!

Hi and thanks for the question.So that you get the best result, you want to be at a stable/ideal weight for your body. Smart lipo will remove fat and help to tighten the skin. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best of luck!

You need to lose weight first before undergoing any cosmetic procedure to get the best outcome. For best results, it is recommended to be at your ideal or stable weight before getting a liposuction procedure. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, rather it is for sculpting and defining and removing problem areas that cannot be removed with weight loss and diet / exercise alone. With skin laxity, a tummy tuck or lifting procedure could be performed at the same time. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a bariatric doctor or dietitian. Best, Dr. Emer

I'd suggest to wait until reaching your target weight before considering body contouring, and also waiting at least 6 months after childbirth or you stop breastfeeding. Your body is still going through hormonal changes after your pregnancy, especially if you are nursing, and needs time to return to a pre-pregnancy state. If you have significant loose skin, you would likely be a better candidate for a tummy tuck rather than Smartlipo.