37, stubborn belly fat. Am I good candidate for an extended tummy tuck? (Photos)

Question

I am 37 years old, never had children. I have this stubborn belly fat that does not go away with diet or exercise . Am I good candidate for tummy tuck ? I have had BBL before , however after that i was on some meds where i gained 10 kgs ..…I think the surgeon did not remove enoubh fat the when i had the BBL a.Also want to know if i have weak abdominal muscles or need muscle repair ??

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

Dear, 
 Just from the point of view of abdominal wall laxity alone,  I would say you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Your appearance is not due so much to excess fat, but from laxity of the abdominal wall, even though you have not had children. You can flatten your abdomen by bringing the rectus muscle together and perhaps from some oblique tightening as well.  Because your skin is not very stretched out, there is an increased chance that you might have a small lower abdominal scar where the belly button donor site hole is repaired.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

At 37, the first step is to separate fat, loose skin, and abdominal wall laxity. Your photos suggest central abdominal fullness, but they cannot show how much is pinchable fat versus skin looseness or muscle separation. If the main issue is fat and the skin still has good elasticity, liposuction may be more appropriate. If there is loose skin, stretch, or lower abdominal laxity, a tummy tuck becomes more predictable. An extended tummy tuck is usually considered when the excess continues around the flanks, not just the front of the abdomen.
Muscle repair cannot be diagnosed from photos. A surgeon needs to examine you while you tighten and relax your abdomen to check for diastasis or weakness. Because you gained 10 kg after your BBL, I would also try to be close to a stable, comfortable weight before final planning; otherwise the result can change. An in-person exam can compare liposuction, standard tummy tuck, and extended tummy tuck honestly for your anatomy.

Sameer Karkhanis, MS, DNB · Answer

Hello. After going thorough the pictures, my recommendation would be tummy tuck with VASER liposuction. This will give you an amazing hour glass shape. Proper examination in person is warranted to comment on muscle laxity. But irrespectively, we do muscle plication during tummy tuck surgery.
Thank you.

Dr Sameer Karkhanis,
Centre for Cosmetic Surgery, Mumbai, India

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for the question. Based on the photos, you are an acceptable candidate for a tummy tuck. 
I wish you the best. 
Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACSDouble Board Certified Plastic SurgeonHouston, TX.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

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.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Rational753628,

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

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From the submitted photos you appear to be a candidate for a standard tummy tuck with liposuction for contouring.  This would remove excess subcutaneous fat, skin, and repair abdominal wall laxity.  The liposuction will help define your curves.  The result will be a flatter, tighter tummy.  The best place to begin is a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

37, stubborn belly fat. Am I good candidate for an extended tummy tuck? (Photos)

Answers (7)

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