Tummy Tuck vs. Smart Lipo? (photos)

Question

Hi Docs! I have a wrinkled belly after 2 babies. I have worked hard after weighing up to 195 with my first pregnancy and lost all the weight plus some. I have seen amazing before and after pics from smart lipo. I know the skin tightening isn't equivalent to a tummy tuck, but I would be happy with being 40-50% tighter in my abdomen. I am 37, 5'6" and 146 lbs. I don't want the long tummy tuck recovery, but I want wear a bikini or crop top again! Thank you in advance!

Jose Perez-Gurri, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. With all due respect, you will,be disappointed with Smartlipo skin tightening and you will still have redundant loose skin. Furthermore, you need muscle tightening and therefore IMHO a tummy tuck is best in your case. If you are absolutely against the TT then I would suggest Vaser instead of Smart lipo. Vaser lipo uses ultrasonic energy to get (IMHO ) the best skin tightening of the different liposuction modalities. Good Luck

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

One, I don't know that lipo is a good option as your issue is loose skin, not excess fat.Two, recovery for the two procedures is not really that much different, especially if you don't need your muscle tightened.Even if laser lipo tightened your skin 30-50%, you still will have wrinkled skin and you still may not want to show your stomach in a bikini.

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

There are various types of abdominoplasty procedures for patients to choose from. Each one is designed to treat a specific set of needs. In consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon, the choice of procedure will be made based on your anatomic features and desired outcome. While all tummy tucks have in common that they tighten the abdominal skin, there are two key differences between the various procedures. The incision lengths vary depending on the amount of skin to be excised, and the abdominal muscles may be tightened if they have excess laxity.For you Mini Tummy Tuck would be a good option. This uses a relatively short incision in the same area of your C-section. Since you don't need much skin resection, you could avoid the incision around the belly button. Most importantly, this would give access to the abdominal wall so that a good muscle repair (placation) can be performed. Tummy tuck surgery is one of our favorite operations because of the dramatic improvements abdominoplasty patients achieve.

In addition to removing loose skin, localized fat deposits can also be removed during your tummy tuck. It is recommended, however, that you be as close as possible to your goal weight before having the procedure. If your concerns extend beyond the tummy, we can safely combine liposuction with tummy tucks for more dramatic results.

We nearly always add liposuction to our tummy tucks to sculpt the body 360 degrees to achieve an ideal feminine figure.   Tummy tuck is a very powerful technique in the right hands, and can have dramatic results if done correctly. 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. Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

I hope this was helpful. Please let me me know if you have any other questions regarding the procedure. Thank you and best of luck. Dr. Campbell

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Based on your photos- in my opinion- that anything short of a tummy tuck ( abdominoplasty) - would be a waste of money. The only way to tighten loose skin- is to remove it. You're a good candidate for an abdominoplasty. An experienced Board Certified PS should give you a good result.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Don't waste your money on laser assisted liposuction. You'll be disappointed and the thermal damage created by the procedure can be problematic in the future. From the photographs it looks as though you an excellent candidate for abdominoplasty.

William J. Vinyard, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos.Your photos suggest that you have some laxity to the abdominal skin and to the abdominal wall that commonly occurs after pregnancy.  However, there does not appear to be a significant amount of excess skin present.  A formal consultation would be necessary to determine for sure but you are likely a candidate for either procedure based on the photos you shared.  You could expect to have a significant amount of fat loss with the Smartlipo procedure and a moderate amount of skin tightening.  With the Tummy Tuck procedure, you would expect to achieve a tighter and smoother appearance to the abdominal skin with the added benefit of a tighter, flatter abdominal wall.  However, as you mentioned, with the Tummy Tuck procedure you will have to accept a scar in exchange for the significant improvement in abdominal contour.  If you decided to proceed with Smartlipo, you could still have a Tummy Tuck procedure at a later date if you desired a greater degree of improved abdominal contour.I hope this helps.  Best wishes!William J. Vinyard, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPalm Beach, Florida

Robert Brueck, MD · Answer

It is hard to judge without examining you but you do have loose skin and perhaps a combo of lipo and mini tummy with undermining to the rib cage to get rid of the excess skin would be nice but you need to be examined.

Thangavel Ayyappan, MBBS, MS, MCh, DNB · Answer

first of all you'll need to be examined to rule out any diastasis or hernia,then a combined lipoabdominoplasty will give a good result.fractional laser after 3- 6 months of surgery will tremendrously boost the texture and feel of the skin

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

I am a trainer for laser liposuction, have used all levels of these units since 2006 YOU are a candidate for SmartLipo Triplex + Lipo in my over the internet opinion. As you write, "I would be happy with being 40-50% tighter". Thus though a full TT would be the fattest result, the lipo could obtain an acceptable flat result.. Good Luck.

Patrick L. Basile, MD · Answer

Congrats on your weight loss! Based on your photos I think that a tummy tuck would give you the results you are looking for. It is true that there is a bit of a recovery period with the procedure, but it is worth it to achieve the long term results that you desire. You should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who has a lot of experience and can review before and after photos during your consultation. Good luck!

Tummy Tuck vs. Smart Lipo? (photos)

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