Do I have enough extra skin for tummy tuck? (photos)

Question

I had a consult with my dream doctor but was a little discourage because he believes there is not enough extra skin for tummy tuck. He suggested Lipo 360. I am concerned that without a tummy tuck I am not going to be able to fix my ab separation and the stretch marks around my bellybutton. Is there other procedures I can have to help with this? JPlasma? Thank you in advance for your guidance! I do not want to be disappointed and regret not getting a tummy tuck.

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. Yes, it is possible for you to get a tummy tuck. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question & photos! Liposuction will remove excess fat with some retraction of skin. A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of the abdominal muscle. The abdominal wall can be weakened after pregnancy and (or) significant weight gain & loss. By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well. The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset, which will accentuate your curves. If you are concerned about not having enough skin for tummy tuck, floating your naval could be an option. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Dhaval Patel MD 
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago 
South Barrington 
Oakbrook 
Orland Park

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You do have excess skin around the umbilicus and you can undergo a revision of the umbilicus. 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. As others have stated, I do not believe you have enough skin for a regular tummy tuck.

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Morad Askari, MD, MBA · Answer

For the most part, I agree with your surgeon. Liposuction 360 will be quite beneficial and I would recommend that you get that with some skin tightening procedure. My personal choice is radiofrequency of which J Plasma (Renuvion) is one type. Together along with patient and persistent compression with use of the right garment for 3 to 6 months, very satisfying results can be achieved in someone with your body type. At the same time, you seem to have mild diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles in the front) that will not go away with liposuction alone and in fact may become a bit more visible. Similarly, liposuction won't do anything for the stretch marks. Tummy tuck will get rid of great part of the skin below your belly button but not all of it as you do not have too much excess. While your belly button remains in the same location and comes out through a new opening in the skin, the current opening of the belly button will result in a small (2 cm) vertical scar in the lower abdomen. With understanding of the difference between the two, you can have either and I don't think neither would be a wrong decision. When someone is across the fence and is not necessarily set on either procedure, I generally recommend in favor of lipo 360 with J Plasma as Tummy tuck can also be done at a later time especially if you are planning on having more babies. 
Dr. Morad AskariRevive Plastic Surgery and Anti-Aging InstituteMiami, Florida

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

When the stretch marks and skin laxity are limited to the area around the belly button, your options are very limited. The muscle separation (diastasis) repair can be done with a mini tummy tuck using the umbilical float method, but this will not improve the stretch marks. Lipo could be done at the same time.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear TC512,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you don't have much loose skin. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

Ali Gurlek, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.
You do not need tummy tuck. you can do liposuction.
A tummy tuck can remove loose, excess skin and fat, and tighten weak fascia. A tummy tuck can also remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen below the bellybutton. However, a tummy tuck won't correct stretch marks outside of this area.
If you've previously had a C-section, your plastic surgeon might be able to incorporate your existing C-section scar into your tummy tuck scar.
A tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as breast surgery. If you've had fat removed from your abdomen (liposuction), you may decide to have a tummy tuck because liposuction removes tissue just under the skin and fat but not any excess

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You may be a candidate for a mini tuck if you have minimal loose skin.  The loose skin that concerns you around your belly button may be addressed with an umbilicoplasty, but that will not correct your diastasis.  An in person examination is always best, so I encourage you to visit with a few board certified plastic surgeons near you to hear recommendations.