I lost about 100 lbs over 20 yrs ago and have loose skin in my ab area. I'd like to get rid of the lower apron and love handles. I've consulted with 5 different surgeons for tummy tuck: 1 recommends lipo to flanks, 1 recommends 360 lipo as a separate procedure after the TT if I'm not happy with the results, 2 think lipo isn't needed (both say I already have a good shape or I have little to no fat, 1 of whom says he can excise fat and get the same result), and 1 recommends adding 360 lipo to the TT as one procedure. I'm currently deciding between 2 of these surgeons: one that says I don't need lipo & can excise fat for the same results and the one that recommends adding 360 lipo to the TT. The one that says I don't need lipo will combine my TT with an arm lift, which I would like to do; the one that recommends adding 360 lipo is more expensive overall & will not combine a procedure. Suffice to say, given this cost of the procedure, how does a surgeon decide on whether a patient would benefit or need lipo to flanks/360 lipo or not? Which is correct? For me, this has made the process of selecting a surgeon much more difficult.
Answer: Adding liposuction I often add liposuction as part of the tummy tuck procedure. It helps to enhance the new contours created by the tummy tuck and get my patients a more complete result. The hips/flanks and back are generally safe areas to combine with the tummy tuck. The surgeon will assess how much excess fat you have but a little extra sculpting can make an impressive difference.
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Answer: Adding liposuction I often add liposuction as part of the tummy tuck procedure. It helps to enhance the new contours created by the tummy tuck and get my patients a more complete result. The hips/flanks and back are generally safe areas to combine with the tummy tuck. The surgeon will assess how much excess fat you have but a little extra sculpting can make an impressive difference.
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Answer: TT with arm lift. Congratulations on your weight loss and maintenance of your weight loss. Also, thank you for your photos. After your weight loss, there is likely to be very little fat underneath your skin that would benefit from liposuction, and your skin may not have enough elasticity to snap back to an improved contour. Therefore, I would favor a TT, perhaps an extended TT to contour the entire abdomen, and the flanks as much as possible. You get the benefit of getting an arm lift done at the same time so you can recover from both procedures at once. As to why you got five different answers from five different surgeons, there is likely no 100% correct answer, but each surgeon is giving you their best judgment on what they think would give you your best result. Some surgeons may be more comfortable and experienced at certain procedures as opposed to others. If you haven’t already, you may request the surgeons to show you their before and after photographs so that you can see what type of results they are achieving and if that would be satisfactory to you. Best wishes.
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Answer: TT with arm lift. Congratulations on your weight loss and maintenance of your weight loss. Also, thank you for your photos. After your weight loss, there is likely to be very little fat underneath your skin that would benefit from liposuction, and your skin may not have enough elasticity to snap back to an improved contour. Therefore, I would favor a TT, perhaps an extended TT to contour the entire abdomen, and the flanks as much as possible. You get the benefit of getting an arm lift done at the same time so you can recover from both procedures at once. As to why you got five different answers from five different surgeons, there is likely no 100% correct answer, but each surgeon is giving you their best judgment on what they think would give you your best result. Some surgeons may be more comfortable and experienced at certain procedures as opposed to others. If you haven’t already, you may request the surgeons to show you their before and after photographs so that you can see what type of results they are achieving and if that would be satisfactory to you. Best wishes.
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June 19, 2025
Answer: Lipo and TT Dear Peaceful538618,
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June 19, 2025
Answer: Lipo and TT Dear Peaceful538618,
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June 18, 2025
Answer: At liposuction or not? From your photographs, it looks like in your case liposuction of the lower and mid back may improve the contour. There is nothing special about the term 360, and I think liposuction of your back would complement a newly contoured abdomen!
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June 18, 2025
Answer: At liposuction or not? From your photographs, it looks like in your case liposuction of the lower and mid back may improve the contour. There is nothing special about the term 360, and I think liposuction of your back would complement a newly contoured abdomen!
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June 11, 2025
Answer: Tummy Tuck Candidate Thanks for your question. From your pictures, it seems like you're a good candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks or a tummy tuck with lipo 360. It all depends on the results you're looking for. The lipo 360 is lipo of the upper and lower back, the upper and lower abdomen and the flanks so it all depends on the target areas you want to address. I recommend scheduling a consult for a proper evaluation. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Dr. Moises Salama, board certified plastic surgeon.
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June 11, 2025
Answer: Tummy Tuck Candidate Thanks for your question. From your pictures, it seems like you're a good candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks or a tummy tuck with lipo 360. It all depends on the results you're looking for. The lipo 360 is lipo of the upper and lower back, the upper and lower abdomen and the flanks so it all depends on the target areas you want to address. I recommend scheduling a consult for a proper evaluation. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Dr. Moises Salama, board certified plastic surgeon.
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May 29, 2025
Answer: Bellesoma Method and tummy tuck with mesh then liposuction and possible fat transfers to breasts After 100 lbs. weight loss, it is highly probable that your breasts have descended as well. I usually like to do a breast lift prior to a tummy tuck because if you do the tummy tuck first then it will pull the breasts further down making is harder to lift the breasts as high as possible. If the breasts are done first then this will pull up the upper abdominal skin and can minimize the amount of dissection necessary for the tummy tuck. The breast lift technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. At the same time, a tummy tuck can be done. 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. After these have been completed, then you can consider liposuction and possible fat transfers to the breasts, if additional volume is desired.
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May 29, 2025
Answer: Bellesoma Method and tummy tuck with mesh then liposuction and possible fat transfers to breasts After 100 lbs. weight loss, it is highly probable that your breasts have descended as well. I usually like to do a breast lift prior to a tummy tuck because if you do the tummy tuck first then it will pull the breasts further down making is harder to lift the breasts as high as possible. If the breasts are done first then this will pull up the upper abdominal skin and can minimize the amount of dissection necessary for the tummy tuck. The breast lift technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. At the same time, a tummy tuck can be done. 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. After these have been completed, then you can consider liposuction and possible fat transfers to the breasts, if additional volume is desired.
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