I really just want a tummy tuck, with absolutely no muscle repair, and no lipo. Any hope that I can get away with this? (Photo)

Your surgeon was correct and I also recommend a belt lipectomy.  The reason for this is that your excess skin extends laterally.  A tummy tuck will only correct the anterior portion and usually leaves dog ears laterally.  This on top of the existing skin laterally will result in an abnormal appearance.  You should consider a circumferential body lift to achieve optimal results without muscle repair.    Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Although i can see the usefulness of a belt lipectomy procedure, it appears that you could have a tummy tuck alone if you understand the limitations that it offers with regards to your specific excess skin.  Hope this helps.

The lower body lift (also referred to as belt lipectomy) is a surgery that involves removal of loose skin by way of an incision that goes around the waist and helps tighten the abdomen, sides, lower back, outer thighs, and butt. The lower body lift will create a flat abdomen along with an improved waist and an improved lower back. At the same time, the buttock can be lifted and the outer thighs can be improved.

Hi.  You can definitely do a tummy tuck without a muscle repair, but my question would be why would you want to do that?  If you are going through the amount of work and surgery it takes to do a tummy tuck properly, you are right there at the muscles and by tightening the muscles you get additional flatness of the stomach in a beneficial way.  So you could certainly do a tummy tuck without that step, but you would typically get less of a result and I am not sure exactly why you would want to do that.  But that would be a discussion between you and your surgeon after someone examined you in person.  I think if you saw a surgeon who said that you can only do a belt lipectomy then I would respectfully suggest that you get another opinion.  I do think that a belt lipectomy or circumferential body lift would likely give you a better overall contour, it is by no means the only way to go.  You mainly need to know what the advantages and disadvantages of doing a tummy tuck are with or without muscle repair compared to a circumferential procedure as well as with or without liposuction.  To me it is all about coming up with a good customized plan for each patient specifically based on multiple factors.  I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon with good experience with body contouring.  Good luck and take care, Dr. Howell

Thank you for your question.  Yes, a tummy tuck  can be performed without a muscle repair.  This is commonly referred to as a panniculectomy. This would involve removal of all your excess skin.  By also performing liposuction to your flanks and hips, a better waistline can be obtained.  Good luck.