I am considering a mommy makeover - would liposuction be sufficient or should I consider a tummy tuck? (photos)

Question

F, 51yr, 195lbs, white, olive tone, far from my ideal weight. I'm considering a breast lift with 360 lipo, tummy tuck, mommy makeover. Do I have to do a tummy tuck or can I do just lipo? My skin has been fairly elastic my whole life. Had a baby at 44yo, no stretch marks, and no stretch marks from before. But this was all before menopause. How long would it take my skin to shrink back? Would it shrink back? What kinds of costs and recovery tomes would I be looking at? Thanks!

Igor Burko, MD · Answer

Hello, my name is Dr Igor Burko, and I am a Plastic Surgeon at SY Aesthetics in NYC.
The answer to your question really depends on your expectations.

Firstly, you are definitely a candidate for a breast lift, liposuction, and tummy tuck. Based on your photos, you have abdominal skin laxity and excess. In addition, your abdominal muscles (called a rectus diastasis) are likely separated from pregnancy, and this prevents you from having a flat abdominal contour from the side-view. The only way to get rid of excess skin, repair your abdominal muscles, and guarantee the flattest/tightest aesthetic outcome, is by performing a tummy tuck.

However, if your expectations are to remove excess fat and improve the overall contour of your torso, then liposuction alone can help. The skin will remain and then hopefully contract (each patient is different). You will continue to have the excess skin, but you may be satisfied with the result and be happy.

Also, if you do liposuction alone, you can always perform a tummy tuck in the future as well.

My recommendation is to consult with a trained plastic surgeon to go over your options as well as expectations.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You need a tummy tuck.  Liposuction alone will be insufficient and you will have excess hanging skin.  I always begin with the breasts first.  I recommend The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  At the same time or later, a tummy tuck can be done.  If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement.  The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on your posted, photos, liposuction will not solve your abdominal problems since there’s too much skin. Recommendation is full tummy tuck with muscle supplication. Expect fee for mommy makeover to range from $8000-$25,000 depending on exact surgeries plan. Best of virtual consult with.

I am considering a mommy makeover - would liposuction be sufficient or should I consider a tummy tuck? (photos)

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lipo 360

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I am considering a mommy makeover - would liposuction be sufficient or should I consider a tummy tuck? (photos)

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lipo 360

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.