Lipo vs tummy tuck? What happens to the loose skin?

Question

I'm having liposuction of my abdomen and flanks with BBL in August. I'm in my 50s, never had a child, but nonetheless, I have a little bit of an overhang in my belly. What happens to the loose skin? Should I have a tummy tuck, instead? I'm open to having incisions done.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is difficult to answer without a picture, but based on your description, you sound like a candidate for a tummy tuck, which can be performed at the same time as hi definition liposuction. For best results, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello mrsOBK  Excess skin would usually shrink back over the area of the body, liposuction is used to reduce volume not tighten skin.  We now have a number of non surgical devices such as ThermiSmooth radiofrequency and VelaShape3 to help tighten skin after liposuction for patients who will benefit from this additional care.   #liposuction #looseskin

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you very much for your
question. Patients with good tissue elasticity will see their skin bounce back
after liposuction. However, if you do not have good tissue elasticity, the skin
exces will remain, becoming looser and more noticeable. In this case, a tummy
tuck is recommended, which will surgically excise the stretched skin, at the
same time the unwanted fat is removed. Without a photograph or in-person
examination, it is difficult to know if you will require a tummy tuck. I
suggest discussing your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon, who
can assess your individual situation and make the best recommendation.

Della C. Bennett, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  If you do not have stretch marks, your skin can contract to some extent after liposuction.  However, if you have a "fold" of skin it is much less likely that this will disappear after liposuction.  The skin pinch or thickness of the area can be reduced, but the fold would likely still be there after liposuction.  Depending on how much excess skin, and if the excess is below the belly button you might be able to have a "mini" tummy tuck with liposuction.  A consultation would of course be best to get the answers you need!  Best wishes, Dr. Della Bennett

Ricardo Vega, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry. If you have loose skin even though you have not had any pregnancies with liposuction only the skin will become even looser. To obtain best results and flat belly tummy tuck and liposuction combined is recommended. I suggest seeking a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss details and an evaluation. Best of luck!

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

Photos, or better yet, an exam in person is the best way to give advice regarding this situation.  In an ideal setting, you undergo the full liposuction and BBL first.  Then wait 3-6 months and return for the tummy tuck.  This approach allows for more thorough sculpting, especially in the upper abdomen.  The preferred post op position when undergoing a BBL is to lay on your stomach and to generally stay off your buttock for 2-4 weeks.  It's the opposite for a tummy tuck.

Amy T. Bandy, DO, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, without a photo it is hard to answer this with certainty. I can tell you that if you currently have a little loose skin, it will more than likely get worse with just liposuction and without a skin tightening procedure like a tummy tuck. I would consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for evaluation and to discuss realistic results to expect with either procedure. Best of luck!

Marguerite E. Aitken, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a very common question.  So many of my patients want liposuction instead of a tummy tuck because they think the recovery is less.   It really depends on your tummy.  If you have a lot of pinchable thickness and rolls, suction will remove the fat, but the skin must then "stick" back down and tighten up.  In your 50's, postmenopausal hormone levels don't always cooperate and help shrink it!  If you haven't had children, your skin may be minimal and you can "getaway with suction" alone.  If your surgery advises that you are a candidate for suction, then great!  Otherwise consider maybe a tummy tuck.  Good luck!!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear mrsOBK,it is really hard to tell without an examination or a photo. Generally speaking, if you have extra fat a liposuction might be a good option for you. But it you have extra skin then you might need a tummy tuck. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Patients with loose skin in the abdomen who undergo liposuction often need a tummy tuck skin excision later on because the loose skin gets "debulked" by lipo but does not fully retract. Sometimes it looks ok after partial retraction, but in other patients, it may look very wavy and irregular. Your situation is one we see very commonly: a patient who wants BBL surgery but also needs a tummy tuck. Many of us do not advocate for trying to do the tummy tuck at the same time as BBL (for healing, anesthesia safety, and other reasons) in most patients. A staged approach is reasonable, where the fat is suctioned and used in the BBL as a first procedure, and then the extra skin and muscle tightening are managed in a second stage tummy tuck.

Lipo vs tummy tuck? What happens to the loose skin?

Answers (16)

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