38 year old with mini pot belly. What non invasive/inexpensive procedure would get rid of this fat/bloat bulge? (Photo)

Question

Hi there. I am a 38 year old mom who has had this small belly since I had my son 16 years ago. The stretch marks are from the pregnancy but they aren’t my biggest concern. What non invasive/ inexpensive procedure would work to get rid of this fat/bloat bulge? I used to have a size 24 waist before I had my son. Thanks for the advice!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Discuss with your PS the benefits of an invasive short scar tummy tuck over the non-invasive lipo/BodyTite option. I have tried a lot of machines over the years, but I do think that there is merit to BodyTite, which appears to have better skin tightening and much less possibility for burns.  BodyTite does not remove any fat, but it is capable of producing a 45% contraction in tissues.  It can be combined with liposuction to improve contours dramatically.  Results can be seen immediately after one treatment and are more evident over three to six months post-treatment. Wait until six months to full evaluate the aesthetic results.  Sedentary activities can be resumed in two to three days and full activity with exercise within two to three weeks.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

There are some great noninvasive treatments for helping reduce abdominal fat. One of the most powerful ways is diet and exercise.  I would recommend being on a restricted diet for a few months to try and jump start your abdominal weight reduction. After you have lost some weight I would recommend a fat reduction treatment called Coolscultping. This is a noninvasive method of fat reduction where the fat cells are frozen and then excreted through your lymphatic system. Results takes about three months to appear, with no downtime.  You can see up to 28% fat reduction with Coolscultping. However, this can get pricey because you might require more than one session. The best results will be achieved through surgical intervention such as liposuction or a tummy tuck. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon for an in person consultation.

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thanks for the question. You look great but we can safely, predictably, and easily help do some fine tuning with liposculpting. I combine fat melting and skin tightening technology without general anesthesia to give amazing results without the scars, downtime, and risk associated with traditional outdated techniques. Check out the youtube video

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

For small problem areas, you can use non-invasive methods like Coolsculpting with Vanquish ("Fire & Ice" Treatment) for fat reduction. You can achieve skin tightening as well if you combine this with radiofrequency treatments like truSculpt iD, Exilis Ultra, or Venus Legacy. If you add in shock therapy treatments like ZWave and Cellutone, you can get even faster results, more improvement, and less risk of complications like nodules, swelling, neuropathy or paradoxical hyperplasia. Coolsculpting often takes a few treatments separated 8 to 12 weeks apart to get significant improvement.However, to get the most fat removal, contouring, skin tightening and definition, a VASER HI-DEF liposuction / liposculpture procedure with ThermiRF, Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite and fat grafting is your best bet. This will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a body contouring and hi-definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

The least expensive and non invasive treatment is a strict diet that leads to about 20 lbs weight loss and abdominal core excercises everyday. This non invasive regimen can produce results. The other noninvasive techniques are expensive, because they don’t produce significant results. Your best treatment is liposuction. This is minimally invasive in your case, because the liposuction has to be conservative to produce good result in a stretch marked skin. If the skin excess and muscle laxity was found to be important, you would be encouraged to plan for a tummy tuck that could deal with the muscle laxity and excess skin as well the excess fat. Non of these suggestions are valide without an imperson consultation.

Edwin Kwon, MD, FACS · Answer

From the photos that you have posted, it appears that you may have a 
couple things that are contributing to the bulge that you are concerned 
about.  It does look like you have some excessive fat in the abdomen 
area, however, given your history of pregnancy, you may also have 
something called rectus diastasis.  This is essentially where your 
central abdominal rectus muscles separate during pregnancy.  In some 
instances, the muscles return to the center, however, in other cases, 
the muscles stay separated and create a weak area in the abdomen and 
allow the contents of your abdomen to protrude out.  
This unfortunately can only be address with surgical repair of the muscle.  
In
 terms of non-invasive treatments, your options remain weight loss, 
Coolsculpting, Sculpsure, or even Kybella.  However, even with reduction
 in the fat, you may always have a slight bulge in your lower abdomen.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

The least expensive and non-invasive would be diet and exercise, if that hasn't been working for you, CoolSculpting is a great non-invasive  treatment, it may take several treatments to get the results you want and it takes several months to see the results. Liposuction would give you more immediate results, and a tummy tuck will give you the best results. Be sure to consult with aboard certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. The answer really depends on how flat you want to be.  If you would like to be significantly smaller, then you are a great candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction.  This can be done through a low and short incision, all completely below the bikini line.  The belly button can be designed to look natural and have no scars on the exterior.   Your muscles can also be plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  If you would be okay with a smaller improvement, then you may be a candidate for waistline contouring liposuction of your abdomen, flanks, and lower back.  This can improve your overall shape with a smaller waist.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had these surgeries performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  
 
 Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Lawoman252 I appreciate your concern, and the least invasive, least expensive option for your tummy would be adopting a reasonable diet and exercise program. If this is ineffective, traditional liposuction is really your best option as this is the gold standard to remove unwanted fat unresponsive to diet and exercise. Less invasive options like CoolSculpt provide less than spectacular results leaving patients disappointed, seeking traditional liposuction to attain the result they desire. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to explore the best options for you.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thanks for the pictures and provided information as well.
Based on your photos, you are a great candidate for liposuction and a full tummy tuck with muscle repair, to give you a nice tight tummy.
Along with the tummy tuck, liposuction allows your plastic surgeon to transform your entire shape. You improve your waist, back and flanks.
In general, you need to be physically healthy and at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, be a non-smoker and your BMI needs to be 30 or less.
l recommend you to make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to talk about your goals and anything you need to know.
Good luck :)

38 year old with mini pot belly. What non invasive/inexpensive procedure would get rid of this fat/bloat bulge? (Photo)

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