Will laser lipo help reduce apron belly? (Photo)

Question

I am a 34 year old female, and (at the time of this post) 7 months postpartum. I had a csection. I am 5'2 and am still overweight but have started my weight loss (pregnancy weight- 260 to 7 mnths PP- 211) journey. I have a hanging belly aka apron belly. I do not wish for a tummy tuck and looking for something less invasive. Doing so good on my weight loss but the belly is making me feel a bit embarrass.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Thank you so much for your question. Fat can be removed from your waist. However, you have both stretch marks and sagging skin in your lower abdomen. For this reason, fat can be removed from the abdomen with Laser Liposuction or Vaser Liposuction. However, as a surgeon i believe that you cannot achieve a good result after these procedures. Since there will not be enough skin tightening after fat removal, an empty and shriveled appearance will likely to occur. In addition, since fat removal from the abdominal area will cause fibrosis in the subcutaneous tissue, it will also make it difficult to perform this surgery if you want to have tummy tuck surgery later. In my opinion, Lipoabdominoplasty surgery will give you the best result. In this surgery, your excess fat is removed, your abdominal muscles are repaired and tightened, and you get rid of your sagging skin.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey regarding significant weight loss and your desire to address the remaining apron belly. Firstly, congratulations on the impressive weight loss milestone.
Based on the history and photographs you provided, the presence of excess abdominal skin, stretch marks, and fat in both the subcutaneous and visceral compartments is evident.
Weight Management: Before considering any surgical options, achieving and maintaining an optimal weight is paramount. This can be further accomplished through dietary modifications and exercise. You may benefit from a consultation with a nutritionist or a registered dietitian. Certain medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro can also aid in weight loss.
Surgical Considerations: A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, appears to be the most suitable option for your situation. This procedure will address the excess skin, eliminate additional fat, and also reinforce the core muscles by tightening the rectus abdominis.
Laser liposuction or any form of liposuction, on the other hand, might not be ideal for your scenario. The limitation of liposuction is that it removes only fat (with a limit to how much can be safely removed in a single session) and does not address excess skin. Given the skin laxity and stretch marks indicative of decreased skin elasticity, there is a risk that your skin will not contract after liposuction, potentially leaving you with sagging skin.
In summary, while liposuction can offer significant benefits in the right context, it may not be the best choice for your specific situation. Instead, a tummy tuck seems better aligned with your goals, ensuring that you achieve a more contoured and tightened abdominal profile.
Wishing you the best in your body-contouring journey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thomas Wright, MD · Answer

Congratulation on your weight loss.  Thank you for sharing your photo.  From your photo it looks like you have a pretty big apron and a Tummy Tuck would be your best option. However if you continue to lose weight your belly size may decrease to the point that you could get a good result from Laser Liposuction.  Wishing you the best of health.

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question! Liposculpture as an outpatient procedure under I.V. sedation can reduce the excess fat in this area. At my office, I use several innovative forms of liposuction to contour and resculpture the area while providing the most beautiful results with minimal scarring. For patients who don’t want surgery, CoolSculpting can be a good way to help reduce fat in selective areas. CoolSculpting is a FDA-cleared, non-surgical fat-reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat that resists all efforts through diet and exercise. I suggest making an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options in more detail!

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

The good news is, is that you are on the right track with the weight loss. You are basically at double of what you should weigh for your height. I would seek professional help so that you can lose more weight more effectively. Most likely you will require a tummy tuck at one point or another. Any form of liposuction Will not have any significant effect on your abdominal apron, but reduce it in size. And even with the reduction of the aprons size, you will still have extra skin. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City Plastic Surgery.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Your first plan of action should be continued more successful weight loss. We’re not a candidate for any cosmetic surgical procedure until you get your obesity under control.
With successful weight loss, you’ll be left with significant skin, laxity and the correct treatment for this is a skin laxity. If you plan on having more children, then I suggest consider waiting for abdominal skin surgery until you’re done having children.
At your current weight, you’re not a candidate for Liposuction.
Different plastic surgeons may have different opinions. My suggestion is continued further weight loss. After you’ve gotten yourself into a healthy way, you can have a few in person consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons to see what treatment options are available for you.
The choice of procedure should be based on what the underlying problem is. Liposuction only reduces subcutaneous fat. It is not a procedure for skilled laxity. A tummy tuck specifically treats, pregnancy related which are skin, Laxcity and muscle separation.
Good luck with your continued weight loss.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Will laser lipo help reduce apron belly? (Photo)

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