5'5 -136lbs -3 kids - was told no ab separation during consultation. Full or mini tt? Drains or no drains? Any tips to look more "snatched"?
Answer: Abdominoplasty and Liposuction Any surgeon who's done enough tummy tucks knows that muscle wall plication is necessary in virtually everyone who has had children, regardless of rectus separation (which is usually more than appreciated on physical exam). Liposuction would be essential to minimize girth in the waist and hip area, along with liposuction of the abdomen too, to achieve the most dramatic waist to hip ratio (snatched). Finally, anyone knowing you want the optimum result should not be offering you a mini tuck; your skin laxity extends around and above your belly button, and can only be addressed with a full abdominoplasty.
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Answer: Abdominoplasty and Liposuction Any surgeon who's done enough tummy tucks knows that muscle wall plication is necessary in virtually everyone who has had children, regardless of rectus separation (which is usually more than appreciated on physical exam). Liposuction would be essential to minimize girth in the waist and hip area, along with liposuction of the abdomen too, to achieve the most dramatic waist to hip ratio (snatched). Finally, anyone knowing you want the optimum result should not be offering you a mini tuck; your skin laxity extends around and above your belly button, and can only be addressed with a full abdominoplasty.
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Answer: Traditional Tummy Tuck with Liposuction of Flanks for a "Snatched" Look Hello travellady18, Thank you for your question regarding the best approach for a tummy tuck and achieving a more "snatched" appearance. Based on your history and photos, I would recommend a traditional tummy tuck combined with liposuction of the flanks. This approach will help contour your waist and create a more defined silhouette. Here’s why: 1. Traditional Tummy Tuck: A full tummy tuck is ideal in your case, even though you don't have any abdominal muscle separation. The traditional tummy tuck will remove excess skin and tighten the abdominal area more effectively than a mini tummy tuck. It will also allow for muscle plication, which can help cinch your waist and give you a flatter, more toned appearance. 2. Muscle Plication: Even without diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), muscle plication can still be beneficial. Tightening the muscles will help create a firmer abdominal wall and enhance your overall shape. 3. Liposuction of the Flanks: Liposuction of the flanks is crucial for achieving that "snatched" look. By removing excess fat from the sides of your waist, we can accentuate your curves and create a more defined waistline. 4. Drains: I definitely recommend using drains. Drains help remove excess fluid that can accumulate after surgery, reducing the risk of complications like seromas and helping to ensure smoother, more even healing. In summary, the combination of a traditional tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks and muscle plication, even in the absence of muscle separation, will give you the best results for a more "snatched" and contoured appearance. Good luck with your surgery! I hope I’ve answered your question thoroughly and provided you with useful information. Sincerely, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon
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Answer: Traditional Tummy Tuck with Liposuction of Flanks for a "Snatched" Look Hello travellady18, Thank you for your question regarding the best approach for a tummy tuck and achieving a more "snatched" appearance. Based on your history and photos, I would recommend a traditional tummy tuck combined with liposuction of the flanks. This approach will help contour your waist and create a more defined silhouette. Here’s why: 1. Traditional Tummy Tuck: A full tummy tuck is ideal in your case, even though you don't have any abdominal muscle separation. The traditional tummy tuck will remove excess skin and tighten the abdominal area more effectively than a mini tummy tuck. It will also allow for muscle plication, which can help cinch your waist and give you a flatter, more toned appearance. 2. Muscle Plication: Even without diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), muscle plication can still be beneficial. Tightening the muscles will help create a firmer abdominal wall and enhance your overall shape. 3. Liposuction of the Flanks: Liposuction of the flanks is crucial for achieving that "snatched" look. By removing excess fat from the sides of your waist, we can accentuate your curves and create a more defined waistline. 4. Drains: I definitely recommend using drains. Drains help remove excess fluid that can accumulate after surgery, reducing the risk of complications like seromas and helping to ensure smoother, more even healing. In summary, the combination of a traditional tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks and muscle plication, even in the absence of muscle separation, will give you the best results for a more "snatched" and contoured appearance. Good luck with your surgery! I hope I’ve answered your question thoroughly and provided you with useful information. Sincerely, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon
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December 6, 2023
Answer: Mini or full tummy tuck Thank you for your questions. The difference between a mini and full tummy tuck is the length of the incision. Remember, the longer the incision, the more amount of tissue that can be removed. Your final result will be much better with a full tummy tuck. It allows better exposure to repair any diastasis, and much improved contouring.
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December 6, 2023
Answer: Mini or full tummy tuck Thank you for your questions. The difference between a mini and full tummy tuck is the length of the incision. Remember, the longer the incision, the more amount of tissue that can be removed. Your final result will be much better with a full tummy tuck. It allows better exposure to repair any diastasis, and much improved contouring.
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November 20, 2023
Answer: Full tummy tuck Hello from Istanbul! I would recommend a full tummy tuck, as there appears to be laxity in the upper part of the abdomen, particularly evident in the last photos. Additionally, incorporating liposuction could enhance the contours, especially around the love handles, contributing to a more "snatched" appearance. Hope this helps, best of luck to you!
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November 20, 2023
Answer: Full tummy tuck Hello from Istanbul! I would recommend a full tummy tuck, as there appears to be laxity in the upper part of the abdomen, particularly evident in the last photos. Additionally, incorporating liposuction could enhance the contours, especially around the love handles, contributing to a more "snatched" appearance. Hope this helps, best of luck to you!
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September 28, 2023
Answer: Traditional Abdominoplasty (Full Tummy Tuck) With Flank Liposuction Hello and thank you for your question. From the pictures you have provided, you have some striae (stretchmarks) present throughout your lower to mid abdomen, and a moderate amount of excess subcutaneous fat and skin in this region. There is some flank adiposity (excess skin/fat) and asymmetry, and minimal upper abdomen adiposity- but evaluation is limited from these pictures. Based on all this, you would benefit from a traditional abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with liposuction of your flanks to best help improve your abdominal/trunk contour. Regarding the transverse lower abdominal scar, it should be well hidden within your bikini or underwear, and if you adhere to proper scar care and sun avoidance after surgery, it should eventually heal to be minimally noticeable. Regarding a "mini-abdominoplasty," it is important to realize that just because it has the word "mini" in the name, does NOT mean that the scar is any smaller. It can be the same size scar as a "full abdominoplasty." The difference is that in a "mini," the tissue below the belly button is resected, but the belly button itself is not relocated to a new position. This is generally only an option in patients that have a notably long torso and a belly button which is positioned higher than normal, since the procedure brings down the belly button- otherwise in a patient with a normally located belly button or normal torso, these operations make the belly button look too low which looks VERY weird. Liposuction is a great adjunct which would definitely provide some additional benefit, particularly to the contour and symmetry of your flanks, and would be done at the same time as your tummy tuck procedure for the best possible single operation results. And there would typically be drains to prevent seromas- most surgeons use 2 drains and they typically stay in about 2 weeks or so, sometimes longer if needed, largely dependent on drain output. With all that said, it is always difficult to provide tentative surgical recommendations, as there is only so much information to be gained from any photos and descriptions provided. I recommend for you to come see me or another plastic surgeon for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) for your specific case. I hope this helps! Best wishes, Dr. Donald Groves Plastic Surgeon
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September 28, 2023
Answer: Traditional Abdominoplasty (Full Tummy Tuck) With Flank Liposuction Hello and thank you for your question. From the pictures you have provided, you have some striae (stretchmarks) present throughout your lower to mid abdomen, and a moderate amount of excess subcutaneous fat and skin in this region. There is some flank adiposity (excess skin/fat) and asymmetry, and minimal upper abdomen adiposity- but evaluation is limited from these pictures. Based on all this, you would benefit from a traditional abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with liposuction of your flanks to best help improve your abdominal/trunk contour. Regarding the transverse lower abdominal scar, it should be well hidden within your bikini or underwear, and if you adhere to proper scar care and sun avoidance after surgery, it should eventually heal to be minimally noticeable. Regarding a "mini-abdominoplasty," it is important to realize that just because it has the word "mini" in the name, does NOT mean that the scar is any smaller. It can be the same size scar as a "full abdominoplasty." The difference is that in a "mini," the tissue below the belly button is resected, but the belly button itself is not relocated to a new position. This is generally only an option in patients that have a notably long torso and a belly button which is positioned higher than normal, since the procedure brings down the belly button- otherwise in a patient with a normally located belly button or normal torso, these operations make the belly button look too low which looks VERY weird. Liposuction is a great adjunct which would definitely provide some additional benefit, particularly to the contour and symmetry of your flanks, and would be done at the same time as your tummy tuck procedure for the best possible single operation results. And there would typically be drains to prevent seromas- most surgeons use 2 drains and they typically stay in about 2 weeks or so, sometimes longer if needed, largely dependent on drain output. With all that said, it is always difficult to provide tentative surgical recommendations, as there is only so much information to be gained from any photos and descriptions provided. I recommend for you to come see me or another plastic surgeon for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) for your specific case. I hope this helps! Best wishes, Dr. Donald Groves Plastic Surgeon
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September 14, 2023
Answer: Tummy tuck Dear travellady18, 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
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September 14, 2023
Answer: Tummy tuck Dear travellady18, 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
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