Stretched skin - Do I need Muscle Repair with a Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Question

Scheduled a TT because this stretched skin is not gonna anywhere. Do I need muscle repair and will I benefit from Lipo to the flanks? For some reason my surgical coordinator kept stating extended TT but I don’t think I need the extension just a TT

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @twoy83 Thank you for your question. To give a recommendation what would work best for you, you'll need a consultation virtual or in person is imposible to advice you the best course of action for you without seeing you. However from what I can see in your photos, you need in your tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and strengthens the abdominal muscles, abdominal diastasis repair, skin removal with umbilical reconstruction, and a liposuction is the extraction of fat from a particular area of the body, in this case the abdomen (abdominal lipolysis). Best wishes!

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. I would recommend you a tummy tuck with liposuction for betters results. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos! A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of the abdominal muscle. The abdominal wall can be weakened after pregnancy and (or) significant weight gain & loss. By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well. The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset, which will accentuate your curves. Liposuction will remove excess fat from unwanted areas with some skin retraction. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Dhaval Patel MD 
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 
Chicago 
South Barrington 
Oakbrook 
Orland Park

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

Muscle repair is a standard part of most all tummy tucks. Prior pregnancy stretches the abdominal wall to some extent. I also do liposuction with almost all my tummy tucks to enhance shape.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Your surgeon can let you know if muscle repair is needed. It is difficult to say whether you would need it based on your photo alone, however it is common for women who’ve had children to require repair. Liposuction can be performed at the same time as your tummy tuck to contour your sides if your surgeon recommends it.

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

The extension to the Tummy tuck  is to prevent “dog ears” which is the result of trying to shorten the scar when patients have saggy skin on the lateral abdomen. 
Imposible to determine in your photo. 
If your muscle is loose and must suck it in to look flat or when you relax your abdomen you look protruding, then you are candidate for muscle repair. If nothing of these things happen to you, no need of muscle repair. 
Be encouraged!! Follow the recommendation of the expert: your surgeon. 
Dr. Cárdenas

Randy Wong, MD · Answer

Aloha, you appear to be a good candidate for the tummy tuck.  Muscle repair depends on the integrity of your abdominal body wall and whether you have diastasis of the rectus muscles.  This can only be determined by physical exam.  "Extension" of the incision may be needed if the loose skin involves the flanks over the hips, but this also will be determined based on your age, skin elasticity, and exam.  Seek advice from more than one board certified plastic surgeon to optimize your options before committing to this procedure.

Kevin Dieffenbach, MD · Answer

Aloha and thanks for your question. It's hard to give exact answers based on your 1 photo. But it appears that you have significant skin stretch marks and looseness and you probably have that in your muscles as well. So muscle repair will probably help and allow for even more skin to be removed. Difficult to answer about flank lipo. I hope this helps. I would recommend you seeing an experienced Surgeon, Certified by The American Board Of Plastic Surgery[ ABPS] and a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) for an in-office consult. We are now also offering Crisalix 3D Imaging that can be very helpful. Mahalo, Dr D

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You have a large anterior abdominal wall with fat and excess skin. You will need a tummy tuck. 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. At the same time, liposuction can be performed. You may benefit from an extended tummy tuck but a physicial examination is needed.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear twoy83,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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