Liposuction, tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck - which procedure is best for me? (photo)

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Liposuction alone should be able to achieve your goal. Skin laxity is difficult to assess in photos but you should be able to achieve good contraction.

Hi BA032014,
Thank you for your question regarding the best procedure for tightening your stomach.

Thank you for your history and your picture. In the abdomen, there are three main structures that can be corrected with a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. First is the rectus abdominal muscle. Usually, with weight gain and weight loss or pregnancy, the rectus muscle is stretched and then collapses. This can lead to a condition called rectus diastasis or RD. Patients with diastasis may need a tummy tuck.

A second reason that patients need a tummy tuck is excess fat of the abdominal wall. Some patients can have just liposuction of the abdomen and achieve good results. Other patients with excess abdominal fat need a formal tummy tuck.

The third reason that people need a tummy tuck is excess skin. If a person has excess skin of the abdomen, this requires removal of that excess skin. During a full tummy tuck, the bellybutton is corrected, and the pubic region is lifted and reduced.

In your statement, you mentioned that you have some diastasis and you did not want a full tummy tuck. You also said you did not want a perfectly flat tummy and that you just wanted some fat gone. If you only want some fat removed, then I would suggest liposuction. However, if you develop a significant amount of excess skin with your 10-pound weight loss, you may need a mini or full tummy tuck.

Most plastic surgeons would agree that your best results would be obtained with either a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck. The mini tummy tuck should include muscle tightening from the incision to just underneath the belly button. The mini tummy tuck will just pull down the skin from the pubic region to the belly button.

If you develop a significant amount of excess skin with your 10-pound weight loss, a full tummy tuck may be required. The only way to correct your diastasis from the xiphoid to the belly button is by undergoing a full tummy tuck.

In conclusion, I would suggest you reassess your body after your weight loss. I hope my answer helps to clarify your question regarding whether you need liposuction, a tummy tuck, or a mini tummy tuck. Good luck.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Hello, my name is Dr Burko, and I am a Plastic Surgeon at SY Aesthetics in NYC. Based on your expectations of not wanting a perfectly flat abdomen, I do think that liposuction is an option in your case. Liposuction will only address the excess fat underneath your skin. It will not address your abdominal muscles and it won't flatten and tighten your abdomen.

If you want to remove skin then you will need a mini tummy tuck or full tummy tuck. If you want fat removed then you will need liposuction.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello dear. You should have an evaluation to determine which procedure is ideal for you. Because since you've had children, you may need abdominal muscle repair, so you'd need a full tummy tuck. But in the event that the separation of the abdominal muscles has not been so severe, you could benefit from a mini tummy tuck. You can write to us at 829-554-6062 for a more accurate evaluation.

Hello; from the photo, in the upper and lower abdomen fields; it looks like; you have fat. Nevertheless, your skin quality; unfortunately, it cannot be understood. If your skin quality is sufficient; I recommend for you Vaserlipo and Renuvion J plasma methods. Thus, you will get rid of from your excess fat; it also tightens for your loose skin.

The correct procedure will somewhat depend on your desired results. Liposuction alone will remove fatty pockets but may leave you with more skin laxity and will not address the abdominal wall separation. If you are wanting a flatter tighter abdomen then a tummy tuck is the right choice. I've included a video on choosing between the two that I hope you find helpful.

I would suggest starting with the liposuction and see how you do. since you said you mainly wanted the fat removed, this should work well for you. Once healed, should you be concerned about the excess lower abdominal tissue, then consider a mini tuck.

Abdominal stretching surgery – The most suitable candidates for abdominal aesthetics are patients with a high body mass index (normal or slightly overweight), weak and loose abdominal skin despite diet and exercise, abundant and sagging belly fat accumulation. Especially women who have undergone pregnancy and have gained a certain amount of weight experience a serious loss of gerim in postpartum abdominal muscles and soft tissues. No matter how old they return to their weight, if the block of sagging skin does not disappear and is tried to be hidden in the underwear, abdominoplasty offers the perfect solution option for these patients. Patients who have undergone obesity surgery or have managed to lose high amounts of weight with the diet may also have an excessive skin and folding under the navel due to the loss of skin elasticity. Just as it can happen in older individuals. Patients who aim to lose weight in the near future are not good candidates for tummy tuck aesthetics. Procrastinations (after the weight loss process is completed) are recommended.
If patients with pregnancy plans in the near future are also considering abdominoplasty, they are not good candidates for this operation.Patients with serious systemic chronic diseases that are not under control (such as heart diseases, diabetes..) may be ready for this surgery after the concomitant diseases are regulated.
While the appearance of the trunk is an excellent surgery option for making the abdominal area thin and tight, it is necessary to know that abdominoplasty is a major surgery, a long healing process, and to have realistic expectations about the result of the surgery.

You’re one posted side view, which is really not enough appears to lead us to choosing liposuction for your best option. But best to virtual consult with so the areas can be totally examined virtually. Expect for liposuction fees to start from $4000-$6000.