Do I have any other options besides invasive surgery to improve my stomach area? (Photo)

Question

I’m 56 and had twins 18 years ago. This had long bothered me and I would love to find a fix. I exercise a lot, but no matter what I do. This always is horrible. Is there any other options besides invasive surgery mind it doesn’t need to be completely flat, but just to a point where I the exercises I do might make an impact

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello AmyFL5, thank you for your question about options besides invasive surgery to improve your stomach area.  Thank you for your pictures and history.  The elasticity of your skin is multi-variable.  The ability of your skin to recoil depends on your genetics, history of weight gain and loss, history of pregnancy, sun and radiation exposure, air pollution, smoking, nicotine use, estrogen and cortisol levels, poor diet, low vitamin C, and low zinc levels.  Additionally, beginning at age 25, your body's fibroblast activity decreases, resulting in the production of less collagen and elastin. Everyone’s rate of biological decay is different.  While examining your attached photos, you have cutis pleonasmus (excess skin), dermatocholosis (loose skin), cellulite, and striae (stretch marks).  To address your abdomen, most plastic surgeons recommend an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck.  Any procedure short of an abdominoplasty will yield minimal results.  CoolSculpting, VASER lipo, laser lipo, Radio Frequency (RF), Ellacor, chemical peel, and derma rolling will not work.  Save your money and time.  I hope that I have answered your question regarding options besides invasive surgery to improve your stomach area.  If you have any more questions regarding tummy tucks, abdominoplasties or abdominal liposuction, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. Since the tummy tuck surgery is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in performing tummy tucks.  Do your research.   If you cannot find an experienced tummy tuck plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS. ( Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Azita Madjidi, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

From the pictures, the issue is your excess skin with laxity. Your stretch marks sign a tear in the deep layer of the skin , therefore any noninvasive procedure will have little or no effect. Since you weight and muscle tones are excellent, your best option is a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).

Carlos Marciales, MD · Answer

The best option in your case it’s removing the extra skin in that area, tummy tuck, you don’t have to much fat, it’s skin

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From the submitted photos you appear to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck.  Less invasive options will be of minimal improvement for you.  A tummy tuck however can give you significant improvement by removing excess skin and subcutaneous fat as well as correct abdominal wall laxity.  The result will be a flatter, tighter tummy.  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Do I have any other options besides invasive surgery to improve my stomach area? (Photo)

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