Will full tummy tuck "fix" my stomach? Getting rid of the loose skin and stretch marks. (Photo)

Question

I am 23 and have two sons. I want to feel confident in my own skin and would love to be able to wear a 2 piece bathing suit once again. I have stretch marks and some loose skin by the bellybutton. I am 5'6" and weigh 125 pounds. Since I am fairly thin, will the healing process be easier than that of an individual that is overweight? When would I be able to get in a pool? I don't plan on more kids, but unplanned pregnancies are common, would a pregnancy down the road ruin the tummy tuck?

Elisa A. Burgess, MD · Answer

It is difficult to see on the photos, but it looks like you do have some excess skin above your belly button and some separation of your abdominal muscles.  Both of these issues would be helped by a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty).  It would be best to make sure your family is complete before surgery.  Always make sure to schedule an appt with a board certified plastic surgeon.  My best to you!

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Judging by your photos, you would probably benefit from a full tummy tuck. It would remove the excess skin and fat, as well as tighten any weakened muscles you may have from pregnancy.It is true that being "fairly thin" can help improve your rate of recovery as well as reduce any surgical risks, it is more important that you are generally healthy. You will have to avoid swimming pools or whirlpools for at least 1 month to allow your incisions to heal properly.Pregnancy after your tummy tuck will negatively affect results.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You would need a full tummy tuck and a muscle tightening procedure. Your muscle have clearly been stretched out causing a bdominal bulging.  I think you would get a nice result, but there will be a long scar involved.  The scar can be designed to be covered in a bathing suit with the exception of a scar around you belly button.

J. Brian Boyd, MD · Answer

Congratulations, your photographs are excellent! A tummy tuck would eliminate laxity, flatten the contour and remove some of the stretch marks. Since some stretch marks extend above the belly button and since a low scar is preferable for bikini-wearing, a compromise will have to be made with regard to excising all the stretch marks.However the few remaining stretch marks will be positioned just above the final scar and should be covered by a bikini bottom. It may even be possible to remove these too - a year later - when things have loosened up. The effect of pregnancy on a previous tummy tuck is highly variable, but it is probable that any small deterioration in aesthetic appearance may be fixed by the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon I assume you would consult.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I think that a tummy tuck will tighten your abdominal wall and remove loose skin for a very pleasing result.  The scar can be short as you have only central skin laxity.  Pregnancy may undo some of the tummy tuck result in the future.  Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy 
tucks and body contouring procedures each year.  Then look at the 
plastic surgeon's 
 website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can  
deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately over the internet in yogurt case I would need IN PERSON evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for a TT.//

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Thank you for the questions.The tummy tuck procedure sometimes eliminates all of them or just part of them, this depends on where they're located. Dr. Campos

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

hello. very interesting question.  in Tummy tuck is repaired  the separation of the muscles of the abdominal wall , the excess skin is removed and the stretch marks  below the navel. you  have a good figure that with the right treatment will become beautiful. if you get pregnant after a tummy tuck done  no  body can  predict  what will happened.

Vincent D. Lepore, MD (retired) · Answer

From your photos, I believe a full tummy tuck would significantly improve your stomach contour.  The tummy tuck will remove the excess/loose skin and the stretched abdominal muscles can be tightened at the same time.  Although, the stretch marks above your belly button can't be removed, they will be shifted to a position below the belly button.  You should be able to get back in a pool in 2 to 3 weeks following the surgery, but I would avoid exercising for 4 weeks.  Although I wouldn't advise it, I have known several patients who have had a pregnancy following a tummy tuck.  Most of these patients still looked better after the pregnancy than they did prior to their tummy tuck.  Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive tummy tuck experience. Best wishes.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

You are a very good candidate for the tummy Tuck procedure and it will give you the young looking abdomen you want. It will remove all of the stretch marks below the navel and pull the higher ones down to the pubis. The muscle repair will flatten the contour. You can have a normal pregnancy after a TT, but may need some revision later.

Will full tummy tuck "fix" my stomach? Getting rid of the loose skin and stretch marks. (Photo)

Answers (11)

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