Is it possible to get a tummy tuck that just removes excess skin and fat without work on the actual abdominal muscles?

Question

Hi - Is it possible to get a tummy tuck that just removes excess skin and fat without work on the actual abdominal muscles? I’ve also heard that after removal of fat cells in the belly, you can gain weight in other areas - the fat just goes elsewhere? Thanks in advance for answering these questions.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

Dear Meb,
   If  you have good abdominal tone, nothing is sticking out, you are strong and have a good core, maybe have not had children, and just have extra loose skin, and maybe fat, there is no reason to try to close the space between the rectus muscle, and there is unlikely to be much space to close.

Laura Roider, MD · Answer

@meb1916 YES! it is possible to have a tummy tuck without diastasis repair. Often patients benefit from the muscle repair but it depends on your anatomy and if you have history of weight loss or pregnancy. 
As for weight gain in the future, when you remove fat cells (either by cutting them out or liposuction) the remaining fat cells in the surgical area and remainder of your body will be able to increase or decrease in size as your weight changes. This is why it is best that you're at or close to your goal weight before surgery

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

Yes, absolutely. Not every tummy tuck includes muscle repair. If your abdominal muscles are not separated (diastasis) or if the separation is minimal and not causing any concerns, a tummy tuck can be performed to remove excess skin and fat without tightening the muscles.As for fat cells, the fat removed during surgery is permanently removed. However, the remaining fat cells throughout your body can still enlarge if you gain weight in the future. Patients sometimes notice weight gain in areas that were not treated simply because those areas still contain fat cells capable of expanding. This does not mean the fat "moves" from the abdomen to another location.A consultation and physical examination can help determine whether you would benefit from muscle repair or whether skin and fat removal alone would be sufficient to achieve your goals.Best wishes with your journey.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Yes it is possible to have a tummy tuck that removes excess skin and subcutaneous fat but does not address the abdominal muscles.  Many patients prefer to correct abdominal wall laxity as that is where the real power of this procedure comes in.  As far as fat cells are concerned, we are born with a set number of fat cells.  Once they are removed they are gone forever.  We gain and lose weight by our fat cells growing and shrinking.  The remaining cells will continue to do this.  You will not "grow" new fat cells nor will more accumulate in other areas.  Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Is it possible to get a tummy tuck that just removes excess skin and fat without work on the actual abdominal muscles?

Answers (4)

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