Is a tummy tuck an option for someone with endometriosis/ tummy bloat? (Photos)

When we
perform a tummy tuck, we do a combination of three elements to achieve a
flatter abdomen:
Removing excess skinLiposuction of excess fat under the skin and
above the muscleRepair/ tightening of loose abdominal wall muscles
I often see patients with round, tight abdomens who desire am
improved contour. This body shape provides a unique challenge to the Plastic
Surgeon since much of the fat accumulation may be internal. I ask my patients to lay flat on their backs. If the abdomen
becomes significantly flatter in this position, they will be a good candidate
for tummy tuck. However, if the abdomen remains very round and prominent, the
results of a tummy tuck are not likely to make a significant improvement. In
these cases, weight loss is usually recommended and on occasion, we will ask
the patient to see their primary care physician for further assessment.
Good luck!

A good examination is needed to answer this question.  From you pictures I would think you have a fair amount of intra-abdominal fat (visceral) that will only go away with weight loss.  A tummy tuck may help some if you have muscle separation, but wont likely help you as much as you're hoping. If you could get closer to your ideal body weight prior to seeing your PS, I would recommend it. That way you will get the best result possible.  

Thank you for your question and photos. You should have an in person consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine the best surgical plan for you. If you have visceral fat in your abdomen, you would need to lose weight with diet and exercise prior to having an abdominoplasty. If not, then you could be a good candidate now for surgery. Your previous hysterectomy is not an issue for moving forward with a tummy tuck.

It’s a tummy tuck and option for me?Thanks for this very important question! A tummy tuck in a patient where there’s a significant amount of visceral volume may not lead to a significant change in the appearance of the body. If the visceral volume is due to swelling and endometriosis then not much can we done to change this, I suspect. However, if the visceral volume is fat and through weight loss that fat volume can be dramatically reduced, then this can convert your body into a good candidacy for a tummy tuck.See your specialist about what is the best approach for your situation!

Dear melnm,generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a tummy tuck, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery