Why do some doctors say I need a tummy tuck while others don’t?

Hello!There is no set answer and many versions of "Gray" when it comes to abdominal contouring. For some, the answer is quite clear: abdominal muscle laxity and skin excess requires TT, whereas focal fat requires liposuction.Most people have a combination of lax muscle and excess fat. Some patients are scar averse and will therefore opt for liposuction. Others desire better core strength and skin removal - kike massive weight loss patients - and will choose TT for its impact.I would recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon to determine your best option. You can find one at plasticsurgery.org. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question! Every surgeon has their own personal opinions and routines for surgery. When deciding between lipo alone, vs tummy tuck, the answer is based on the patient’s personal goals, as well as the amount of loose skin they have to the abdomen. I recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon who can create a personalized plan for you. Best of luck!

Just like anything else Plastic Surgeons have differing opinions on what procedure works best. Sometimes a tummy tuck would give the best result and sometimes the patient will only need to have liposuction. It depends on how much loose skin the patient has. I recommend that you go with the Surgeon that you feel the most comfortable with, not just the cheapest one. As in all things skill and results are what matter. I hope that this has helped. 

It sometimes comes down to a judgment call.  If your skin is loose usually a tummy tuck is the better option.  If you have good skin quality then liposuction can do the trick.  If you are somewhere in the middle it may work to do some skin tightening with Laser liposuction.  I would just get a few opinions then go with the surgeon that you feel the most comfortable with.
Good luck,
Dr. Tucker

Great question!  Its hard to provide any recommendations without a photo.  Understand that liposuction is a volume procedure only and will not do anything to the skin.  If you have loose skin, then you will need a tummy tuck.  Again the decision will depend on what you need to achieve your goals.  It is best to see several board certified plastic surgeon for recommendations and go with the one that you feel most comfortableBest of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

If you have loose skin, then a tummy tuck is usually best. If you have tight,elastic skin, then liposuction is typically best. Without photos it's hard to give any more advice than this. Watch this brief video however for more information.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Without photos, it is difficult to determine what your personal concerns are regarding this question. Doctors may be listening to the patient and basing the answer on what the patient is sharing. She may not want a large scar in which case liposuction would get rid of the fat if she is not concerned about the loose skin. Other patients definitely do not want any skin and want a tight flat stomach in which case a tummy tuck is necessary to remove all the fat and skin and repair the stomach muscles which may have separated due to childbirth. It would depend on what the patient really wants, and this would be a reason I think a surgeon would offer different options.  

Thanks for your question. Tummy tuck, also know as abdominoplasty, is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and to restore the weakened abdominal wall, giving a firmer and smoother appearance.  The ideal liposuction candidate has localized fat deposits and quality overlying skin without significant excess skin or skin damage.Depending on the quality of the skin on your abdomen and adbominal muscle relaxation you would be a patient for a tummy tuck or liposuction. That said, you definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  A key quality indicator is Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

You may be in one of those gray areas where either lipo or atummy tuck would be acceptable.  I find that most people like yourself get a better result with a tummy tuck but it is a bigger operation with a long scar and a longer recovery.  Those are the trade offs you need to consider.  Without photos it is impossible to be more specific in your situation.

Without the benefit of photos or an exam, I can only generalize the different opinions.  The most common indications for a TT are loose abdominal skin, especially in the lower abdomen and loose abdominal wall muscles. You probably need some sort of skin removal to be happy, but this really just depends upon your expectations.  BodyTite does not remove any fat, but it is capable of producing a 45% contraction in tissues.  It can be combined with liposuction to improve contours dramatically.  Results can be seen immediately after one treatment and are more evident over three to six months post-treatment. Wait until six months to fully evaluate the aesthetic results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA