Am I a candidate for just lipo, or do you recommend the panniculectomy? (Photo)

Question

Im interested in getting liposuction on my abdomen, flanks and butt area No children Asthmatic Gastric sleeve surgery 2016 Takes albuterol No allergies I do not want a tummy tuck or panniculectomy. Am I a good candidate for JUST Lipo or do you highly recommend the Pani?

Susan D. Vasko, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. From your photos, you appear to be a candidate for lipo and an abdominoplasty. Be sure to schedule a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

Liposuction removes the excess subcutaneous fat.  One need good skin quality, for the skin to contract- ideally no stretch marks.  Underlying medical conditions need to be optimized.  Patients need to be realistic of the limitation of liposuction alone and this should be addressed at plastic surgery consultation.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

A panniculectomy removes the skin/fat that hangs below your waist, also known as a “pannus”. In your photos, you don’t appear to have that much of a pannus, which means a panniculectomy may not help you achieve the results you want. I think a tummy tuck would be more suitable for you, since you appear to have loose skin that won’t be tightened up with liposuction alone.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

If you are healthy with a BMI of about 30, the TT and liposuction would address loose skin and fat in the abdomen, bra roll, flanks, and back.  The abdominal wall can be tightened as well through a process called plication.  You might want to consider a BBL prior to the TT so that fat can be harvested from the abdomen and other areas to enhance the buttocks. Consult with an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of TTs, liposuctions, and BBLs each year, and posts untouched before and after photos on his/her website along with patient reviews.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your
question. Based on your photograph, you are a better candidate for a full 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.  Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Crystal.  Diet and exercise is first option. Liposuction will decrease bulk and may even allow you to go down one dress size, but Tummytuck will give you most dramatic result. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to help guide you. Good luck!

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

You already show significant laxity of the abdominal skin with contour irregularities and asymmetries. Liposuction will make things worse.  Your best option is to loose some additional weight so that your abdominal muscles could be tightened during a tummy tuck. Liposuction can be done at the same time in your hips and flanks. This is what you need done to obtain results that both you and I could be proud of. Sometimes it take efforts and commitement to get the best results. I wish you good luck in your search for a plastic surgeon who would give you the best advice and the best outcome.

John Paul Tutela, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for reaching out.  Fro. The photos provided you would be a great candidate for a tummy Tuck with Lipo.  What could be even more dramatic is if you underwent 360 degrees of liposuction for extreme contouring followed by a tummy tuck 4-6 months later.I hope this helps  :)

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well. 
Based on your pictures it would  be better for you liposuction with a full tummy tuck. This combination has become very common. It is safe to combine both procedures.
remember weighting above the established weigh increases the risk of complications during and after your surgery, the BMI range is 30 and it is important have a stable weight in order to have any surgical process. 
I recommend you maintain your weight in a healthy range and then consider the surgery, you will achieve amazing results.
I suggest to book a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best options for your goals. 
Good luck :)

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your question as well as providing photos. Performing liposuction alone will remove the excess fat, however the skin will become even more redundant and the need for a tummy tuck will be even greater. Unfortunately the only way to address excess skin is to remove it. The question I always tell my patients to ask themselves is the scar worth the result. In your case I believe you will benefit greatly from a combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck (with muscle plication). Good luck and best wishes!