Lipo 360 vs Tummy tuck? Does it look like I have diastasis recti? (Photo)

Dear CarmelBri,
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

Thank you for submitting your question! That is correct, liposuction would create abdominal laxity (excess skin) whereas an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) includes liposuction of the abdomen and muscle repair of the diastasis recti. This combination will create your abdomen to be as flat as you sucking in. I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself so we can create a surgical plan that is best for you and your goals!

Hello CarmelBri, and thank you for your question regarding whether you have diastasis recti and if a tummy tuck is necessary.

Thank you for providing your history and pictures. To fully answer your questions, more details would be helpful, such as your age, number of pregnancies, maximum and minimum weights, and any other relevant medical conditions.

From examining your pictures, it appears that you do have rectus muscle weakness, which is evident from the way your abdomen protrudes from the belly button down to the pubic region. Additionally, it seems that you may have some visceral fat, which is fat stored behind the rectus muscle and around your internal organs.

These factors, along with visible stretch marks, would lead most plastic surgeons to recommend a tummy tuck rather than liposuction alone. A tummy tuck would address the rectus muscle weakness, remove excess skin and fat, and help flatten your abdominal profile. During the same procedure, you could also have liposuction of the flanks and love handles, as well as fat transfer to your breasts.

Before moving forward with surgery, I would recommend trying to lose 5 to 10 pounds through methods such as intermittent fasting, a ketogenic diet, or calorie restriction, possibly with the help of medication under the guidance of a medical professional. Given your current situation, most plastic surgeons would not recommend 360 liposuction alone. Instead, a combination of weight loss, a tummy tuck, and possibly liposuction and fat transfer would likely give you the best results.

Good luck, and I hope this helps to answer your question regarding your options.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS