135 lbs, 5'4 - Do I have enough skin for full tummy tuck? (Photos)

Question

135 lb 5’4” 40 years old. 2 kids- 4 and 1 I’m very concerned about the scar and if I have enough extra skin to have a full tummy tuck. I really want the scar as low as possible.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions 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

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

It’s difficult to check the quality of your skin with your photos alone. Do you have any wrinkly skin or stretch marks? If you do, then you may be suitable for a full tummy tuck. If not, then liposuction may be more suitable for you.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @jsidea thank you for your question and showing your pictures. As part of your surgical plan, you may want to consider a modified abdominoplasty where you can achieve a complete muscular application with a smaller scar, eliminating the diastasis entirely. For more information and recommendations, it is prudent to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

Johanna D'Agostino, MD · Answer

Based on the pictures, it appears that you don’t have a lot of excess skin (some in the lower abdomen). However, it looks like your abdominal wall muscles are weak. I encourage you to have a full examination by a plastic surgeon who can confirm the presence of excess skin, thickness of fatty tissue, presence of diastasis and rule out any hernia. You may only need a mini tummy tuck, liposuction and tightening of the muscles. I believe that your results under the hands of a board certified plastic surgeon will be phenomenal. Good luck!!

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Your main issue is muscle laxity, not fat or skin excess. This means that whatever you do it should include muscle wall plication. Without examination, it is not clear how loose your skin is, which would inform whether or not to excise skin.  Similarly, a clear understanding of subcutaneous fat would require examination. Regardless, an ultra low, short incision can be made in the suprapubic area to gain access to the midline abdominal wall (one of the most important parts of getting a good result is a low incision, regardless of skin excess). An incision around your belly button will allow access to your sternum (a long way!), and allow complete repair of your muscle. Based on your photos, the skin will be sewn directly back to the belly button again as opposed to advanced downward (again, cannot be certain with photos). However, it is likely that skin can be advanced and redundancy excise from the lower belly. Liposuction may or may not be part of the formula.

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Based on these photos it looks like your skin laxity is mostly below your belly button. This would mean that a mini tummy tuck is probably a good choice. A proper evaluation of your muscles and true laxity can only be done in person and that may change your decision.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Every woman can have a full tummy tuck, the question is whether a small vertical scar may be required if there is not sufficient skin excess to take out all of the skin from the horizontal incision to the top of your belly button.  Depending on your desired results, I would advocate for a modified mini tummy tuck with full muscle repair using a counter incision.  Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jsidea,
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

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

For you, I would suggest the mini tuck because your main issue is to tighten your lower muscle. You will have extra lower skin once that is tightened.  Your upper abdomen looks good.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From your photos it appears you have minimal skin laxity.  This along with the position of your belly button may prevent a very low incision line.  Your photos do suggest that you'd benefit from muscle wall correction which would give you a flatter, tighter tummy.  You may be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck.  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation to learn more.