Loose skin and separation - am I a candidate for tummy tuck? (photo)

Your photographs shows excess skin and you would be a candidate for a tummy tuck. This photograph does not document how far your separation is of your abdominal muscles.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hi. Thanks for your question. The photos indicates there is loose skin in your abdomen. Hard to tell the muscle separation without an examination. If you have had significant weight loss and there is also transverse laxity in your abdomen you should also consider a Fleur De Lis Abdominoplasty. Please discuss this with a Plastic Surgeon to find the most suitable option for you.

Thank you for your question and pictures. i would recommend you a tummy tuck with liposuction for betters results. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for

Although it’s difficult to see the muscle separation, it does appear you have loose skin and excess fat that can both be effectively addressed with a full tummy tuck. It may be easier for your surgeon to measure muscle separation with an in-person assessment.

Nothing replaces an in-person examination, but I think you would most benefit from a full tummy tuck and liposuction of your waist and flanks.  The tummy tuck will tighten your stomach muscles, helping to achieve a flatter appearance, while removing excess skin and adipose tissue.  Liposuction can be used to enhance your tummy tuck results by narrowing your waist and removing isolated areas of diet and exercise resistant fat.  I would favor the full approach because it appears that your skin and muscle laxity is present above and below your belly button. Hope that this helps

Dear tenko28,
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

Hi TenkoYou dont need to have muscle separation to be suitable for a tummy tuck which removes the skin between the pubic region and the umbilicus. It also tightens the muscles and lifts the mons. It commonly includes liposuction to the love handles. The issue with muscle separation is merely a medicate and private insurance issue. To qualify you either need to lose a BMI of 5 or have separation of 3 cm on ultrasound. CheersDamien

Thank you for the picture and question. Abdominoplasty procedures include a repair a weakened abdominal wall (diastasis recti AKA pooch), creation of a new belly button, as well as excision of loose skin. It is difficult to tell from your picture the status of your abdominal wall but it does appear that you have loose skin. One way to determine if you have a weakened abdominal wall is to lay on your back, do a sit up and see if there is a fullness of your abdominal wall along the length of your midsection. The best plan of action would be to see a plastic surgeon for a physical examination and consultation to see what procedure is right for you.

From your photos it appears you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. This would remove the excess fat and skin as well as address the abdominal wall laxity. Liposuction can be added for further contouring. The result will be a flatter, tighter tummy. The next step is to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Based on that picture you appear to be an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck. Judge plastic surgeons based on who gets the most natural looking belly buttons with hello set scar that follows anatomic contour naturally.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD