Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck without weight loss? Should I consider lipo and where? (Photo)

Question

I'm 30 yrs old, 5'7, 246lbs, I'm relatively healthy (dont smoke/drink), no health problems, hysterectomy at 18, 1 child. My expectation/goal is not to be skinny, but proportionate for my body type. Weight loss has been a struggle for me having PCOS. I've maintained my weight over the years. Although I'm not happy with what the scale says, I know my body,I know what I can do with it, and I'm content with everything except my stomach. Please share your thoughts, comments, concerns! Thanks

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is hard to fully give you answer based on your photos without an examination.  It appears that you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks and lower back.  Best wishes!

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your desires and concerns. I think the key in your case is the PCOS. I normally recommend diet and exercise prior to surgery to maximize the final result. However, your inability to lose weight is directly related to PCOS. Since you appear to have realistic expectations, I believe that abdominoplasty with lipo of the flanks and back is reasonable, as long as you realize that risks are significantly increased. Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon.

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Based on your photos you a good candidate for the tummy tuck procedure.   You may also wish to consider liposuction of the back and flanks to help achieve your overall goal.  When you schedule your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, make certain to vocalize your desired results so you can create a unique surgical plan for you.Best regards,Dr. Lane F. Smith, MDPlastic SurgeonLas Vegas, NV

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I do think that weight loss will make the procedure safer.  Tummy tuck with liposuction of the sides and back will produce a nice result for you.  I
would search for the board certified plastic surgeon who you feel is
most likely to give you the best results and who performs hundreds of
these procedures each year. I would look at patient reviews as well as
before and after photos on that surgeon's website.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Robert D. Wilcox, MD · Answer

Dear ByouTful1,

Although you might benefit from liposuction
of the upper back and hips, I am very confident you will be disappointed in the
results of a tummy tuck at your current height and weight. The problem is most
of your fat in the anterior abdomen is located around the internal organs
within the abdominal musculature or abdominal wall. There are two goals of a
full tummy tuck, to tighten the skin and tighten the muscles to yield a flat
stomach. No surgeon is going to be able to tighten those muscles sufficiently
to give you a result you are pleased with.

Your three courses are: (1) Do nothing; (2)
Consider bariatric surgery to lose 75+ pounds in which case body contouring
would be much more likely to give you a result you are pleased with and that
you will feel was worth the trouble, expense and downtime; (3) The last option
if you do not want to consider bariatric surgery is to consider a
panniculectomy which means excision of the lower roll of skin and fat
(panniculus) going from hip to hip with a low-lying scar and consider
liposuction of the upper abdomen if there is enough subcutaneous fat to make a
difference.

I hope this has been helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Robert D. Wilcox, MD

Aramis Vega, MD · Answer

I recommend you performing the tummy tuck because you say you could not lose weight. Your abdomen could be not completely flat after surgery because of your intra abdominal fat but definitely you would look better.

Denton Watumull, MD · Answer

I would not recommend a tummy tuck at your current BMI due to the high risk of complications and also the fact that results would be suboptimal.  Liposuction of the abdomen, flanks and back is reasonably safe option at your current BMI.  However it is not a substitute for weight loss and will not tighten skin.For those who are at a BMI over 35 and cannot make progress with diet and exercise we have made referrals to our Bariatric colleagues for consideration of a gastric sleeve or other surgical weight loss options.  Our patients have them come back to us much lighter, healthier and able to undergo body contouring with safe and predictable results.  At 100 pounds over ideal body weight it is highly unlikely you will get the results from body contouring you desire and the complication risk is high.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Based on your description of yourself and your expectations from surgery tummy tuck is a very valid option for you.  Liposuction of flanks and waistline at time of your tummy tuck will improve your results.

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

As long as you are medically cleared for surgery (there are increased risks of complications when you are obese) and realistic about your results, you are a candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction. I would recommend liposuction to the back, love handles and a tummy tuck. Remember with PCOS there is increased intra-abdominal fat, so a tummy tuck may not give you a completely flat abdomen.

Narongdej Jiarapeepan, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

You are not good candidate for tummy tuck and liposuction because of over weight make risk of complications and also not nice result as expectations.If you loose your weight you will have much loose skin to do tummy tuck with nice shape expectations tu

Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck without weight loss? Should I consider lipo and where? (Photo)

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