Am I a good candidate for smart lipo on the abdomen? I am 35 and have 2 children. (photos)

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos, it appears you would be a very good candidate for liposuction in this area. This procedure is designed to remove stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise and is commonly used to sculpt and flatten the midsection.     
In my office, we use the Awake liposuction technique, which can be done with local anesthesia and may involve a slightly shorter recovery time than traditional liposuction methods. Small incisions are created to insert the cannulas that will gently suction out the fat. Before the cannulas are inserted, we infuse the area with a tumescent fluid that makes fat easier to remove without damaging surrounding tissue. This preserves the connective tissue within the fat, which tightens as it heals. We do not have the SmartLipo device although we did studies with it years ago. Instead, if extra tightening is needed, I prefer ThermiTight, a radiofrequency probe that is applied under the skin immediately after the liposuction. This is a temperature-controlled device that allows us to heat and tighten tissue after liposuction. Most patients are back to a regular schedule within a few days.

You could also address your stretch marks with RF microneedling or a laser device. These treatments are also non-surgical and can have an excellent effect on rejuvenating and firming the skin. Make sure you work with a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in body contouring to ensure an optimal outcome. 

Based on your photos, I think you are a great candidate for liposuction. I offer SmartLipo or Renuvion which provides even more skin tightening. This can be done awake using local anesthesia, or this can be done in the surgery center using general anesthesia if you prefer to be asleep. Good luck!

Lipo will leave you a little bit flatter with wavy skin regardless of whether you use a laser or not. If your skin didn't have so many stretch marks, you would have a better chance with the skin, but you don't. The pot belly in your case is mainly the result of separated abdominal muscles (six pack muscles) due to pregnancy changes and won't improve with lipo. The only fix for that is a tummy tuck. So yes, you can have lipo if you're afraid of a tummy tuck, but you won't get a great result without one. It's your tummy. It's your money. It's your choice, but don't fall into the trap of unrealistic expectations.

Hello TNT0227,Thank you for your great photos and post! You are an excellent candidate for liposculpture where your surgeon could use SmartLipo or, my preferance, VASER. You have enough stretch marks and skin laxity where you are also a candidate for a Mini-Tummy tuck where some excess skin that you will have following the liposuction can be removed. The existing scar from your cesarean section could be used and extended out laterally to give you a tighter look without mobilizing your belly button or plicating your muscles. Your recovery would be much easier and as long as your realistic you should be very happy with your results.   Be sure to find a surgeon with experience, but also with an artistic eye to give you the results you are looking for.Best of luck,Urogynecologist & Cosmetic Surgeon

Thanks for your question!  Based on your stretch marks, I do think that you will be left with some loose skin following a SmartLipo treatment. It will promote some skin tightening but not a lot.  I think it really depends on your goals.  If your goal is to have a flatter belly in clothing, I think SmartLipo would do just fine. Good luck!

Thank you for your pictures and questions. I would encourage you to forget the gimmick of "smart lipo." It has a good name but that's about it. Consider that real problems need real solutions. Your photo shows not only soft tissue and adipose excess but also significant skin stretching and skin excess. You can try a whole host of liposuction solutions (most of which will probably be mentioned in other answers) - Vaser, Renuvion, Smart Lipo, the list goes on - but the problem is that none of them will suffice to deal with your skin excess adequately. Furthermore, they will not address the stretching of the underlying abdominal wall. If you attempt a minimally invasive procedure, you will likely be left with a dissatisfying result. You are a much better candidate for a tummy tuck and you should not be "scared to death" of it. You should go see a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and discuss all your options before deciding what might be best for you. Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Dear TNT0227,
It is hard to tell for sure without an examination but based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit from liposuction surgery which should remove the excess fat tissue. 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

Smart Lipo is good for stubborn areas of fat, but lacks body contouring and shaping. For best results, I recommend a hi-definition procedure like VASER liposuction, which can be performed at the same time as a tummy tuck, if there is skin laxity. I use VASER HI-DEF with ThermiRF, Renuvion (J Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi-definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

If the stretch marks are not a problem for you, Liposuction combined with J plasma is the best option for you ( smart lipo, or Vaser lipo) I personally prefer the Vaser Lipo.

Based on your photos, it looks like you could see great results with Smartlipo™. While there is always a chance of having some excess skin left after treatment, it does not appear that you have a significant amount of abdominal fat to address. So this should not be much of a concern. It is great to hear that you understand both the benefits and limitations of this procedure—having realistic expectations is crucial. Of course, nothing can stand in for an in-person evaluation from an experienced cosmetic surgeon, who can listen to your goals and help you decide if Smartlipo could be the right choice for you.