Lipo 360 or Tummy Tuck? (Photo)

Question

When I check for diastasis recti I don't have a big gap, I have done a lot of work in the gym on strengthening my core but I do have belly fat and not much loose skin. I was wondering if I need a tummy tuck or if I am candidate for lipo 360?

Igor Burko, MD · Answer

Hello, my name is Dr Igor Burko, and I am a Plastic Surgeon at SY Aesthetics in NYC. The shape of your abdomen on profile suggests you have a significant diastasis. The only way to correct a rectus diastasis is to repair it during a tummy tuck.
In addition, you may have an umbilical hernia. Some plastic surgeons will repair your umbilical hernia at the time of your abdominoplasty. I recommend a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your options and goals.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

From your photographs, you have an umbilical hernia and you have increased intra-abdominal pressure which is causing your abdominal wall to bulge forward.  Liposuction would no be effective and you will need an abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement to create the hernia as well as reinforce the fascia.  I recommend you continue with the strength exercises, particularly the core exercises.  You can start wearing an abdominal binder as well.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Gregory Sexton, MD · Answer

Your pictures suggest significant stretching of the muscle wall. Liposuction will not help this, and in fact may make it worse. Impossible to tell without a physical exam, but I suspect you have very little fat between the skin and the muscle wall, which is addressed with liposuction. The bulging you have needs to be addressed by muscle repair, and again, I don’t think liposuction will help it. At best liposuction will be a waste of money, and at worse make things look worse than they are now. I would recommend a tummy tuck just by looking at your pictures, without an exam.

Good luck

Greg Sexton, MD

Columbia, South Carolina

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear atm1,
Most of your abdominal bulging is from internal (visceral) fat.  It is best addressed with weight loss.  A tummy tuck is your only option, but if you maintain your current weight expect some continued bulging due to that fat.  FYI you also have an umbilical hernia that should be addressed.  Good luck!

David Hansen, MD · Answer

It is more rare to need a tummy tuck now a days since lipo with bodytiteRF have done such a great job in getting rid of fat and skin tightening without needed to cut any skin at all.

Lipo 360 or Tummy Tuck? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Tummy tuck and weight loss

Answer: Tummy tuck and weight loss

Answer: Today's liposuctions with bodytiteRF have replaced most tummy tucks.

Answer: Today's liposuctions with bodytiteRF have replaced most tummy tucks.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lipo 360

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Lipo 360 or Tummy Tuck? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Tummy tuck and weight loss

Answer: Tummy tuck and weight loss

Answer: Today's liposuctions with bodytiteRF have replaced most tummy tucks.

Answer: Today's liposuctions with bodytiteRF have replaced most tummy tucks.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lipo 360

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.