After gaining almost 80 pounds during my pregnancy and giving birth to a 10 pound baby, I have stretch that have faded to white and loose skin around my belly button (the stretch marks around my belly button are actually slightly raised) my stomach hangs only slightly because i've been dieting and exercising but the wrinkling bothers me so bad!! I'm 24, 5'6, 165 pounds, size 9 in jeans (because of my stomach). I dont want muscle repair. just want the fat and wrinkles gone! avg. $$?
Answer: It is possible to get improvement without muscle repair
I have to respectfully disagree with my colleagues. In my experience, you can get significant improvement with an operation that removes the fat and skin, without tightening the muscles. And more importantly, the recovery IS significantly shorter and easier when no muscle plication is done. Yes, the resulting belly will not be as flat or tight compared to a traditional tummy tuck, but the shorter recovery may be worth a small sacrifice in results. I perform a non-muscle plciation procedure called Smooth Tuck that has shown great results in patients who are "too obese" for a tummy tuck, or are perfect tummy tuck candidates (like you) but desire a less invasive procedure with a more rapid return to work. I understand why some surgeons "poo-poo" this approach, but my patients have been extremely happy and travel from all over the world to get this done. Yes, your results will be better with a muscle plication, but that does not mean there are not acceptable alternative. smoothtuck.com
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
Answer: It is possible to get improvement without muscle repair
I have to respectfully disagree with my colleagues. In my experience, you can get significant improvement with an operation that removes the fat and skin, without tightening the muscles. And more importantly, the recovery IS significantly shorter and easier when no muscle plication is done. Yes, the resulting belly will not be as flat or tight compared to a traditional tummy tuck, but the shorter recovery may be worth a small sacrifice in results. I perform a non-muscle plciation procedure called Smooth Tuck that has shown great results in patients who are "too obese" for a tummy tuck, or are perfect tummy tuck candidates (like you) but desire a less invasive procedure with a more rapid return to work. I understand why some surgeons "poo-poo" this approach, but my patients have been extremely happy and travel from all over the world to get this done. Yes, your results will be better with a muscle plication, but that does not mean there are not acceptable alternative. smoothtuck.com
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
Answer: Good full tummy tuck candidate Thank you for your question. Your set of problems will likely be very effectively addressed with a full tummy tuck. Simple removal of skin and fat excess, without abdominal plication, will leave you with an abdomen that remains somewhat protuberant, and a waistline that lacks ideal shape. Plication (tightening) of the abdominal wall muscles and fascia will truly flatten your stomach and will tighten the waistline, giving an attractive "hourglass" shape if done correctly. Forgoing an important step of the tummy tuck will not significantly reduce cost, and will likely produce a result with which neither you nor your surgeon is completely satisfied.
Helpful
Answer: Good full tummy tuck candidate Thank you for your question. Your set of problems will likely be very effectively addressed with a full tummy tuck. Simple removal of skin and fat excess, without abdominal plication, will leave you with an abdomen that remains somewhat protuberant, and a waistline that lacks ideal shape. Plication (tightening) of the abdominal wall muscles and fascia will truly flatten your stomach and will tighten the waistline, giving an attractive "hourglass" shape if done correctly. Forgoing an important step of the tummy tuck will not significantly reduce cost, and will likely produce a result with which neither you nor your surgeon is completely satisfied.
Helpful
April 13, 2016
Answer: Full tummy tuck likely in your future... Pregnancy can result in dramatic changes in a women’s body.These changes are especially noticeable in the abdomen, where redundant saggy skin, weakened muscles, and stretch marks may occur.Your pictures suggest that you might benefit from a full abdominoplasty.Abdominoplasty is performed by making a lower abdominal skin incision and lifting the skin and subcutaneous tissue to the level of the ribcage.This typically requires detaching the belly button which allows more skin to be removed.The muscles are then tightened, excess skin removed, and the belly button re-attached in proper position.In rare cases, abdominoplasty can be performed without tightening the underlying abdominal muscles.When patients have tight underlying muscles, it’s not necessary to plicate them.It’s hard to understand why you’re opposed to this maneuver in this specific case.In most cases, plication adds significantly to the post-operative result.However, it’s important to realize that the procedure will still significantly improve abdominal aesthetics even without muscle plication.The best results are obtained when correct analysis is performed and the best surgical option is applied.In most cases patients will require a full abdominoplasty.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
April 13, 2016
Answer: Full tummy tuck likely in your future... Pregnancy can result in dramatic changes in a women’s body.These changes are especially noticeable in the abdomen, where redundant saggy skin, weakened muscles, and stretch marks may occur.Your pictures suggest that you might benefit from a full abdominoplasty.Abdominoplasty is performed by making a lower abdominal skin incision and lifting the skin and subcutaneous tissue to the level of the ribcage.This typically requires detaching the belly button which allows more skin to be removed.The muscles are then tightened, excess skin removed, and the belly button re-attached in proper position.In rare cases, abdominoplasty can be performed without tightening the underlying abdominal muscles.When patients have tight underlying muscles, it’s not necessary to plicate them.It’s hard to understand why you’re opposed to this maneuver in this specific case.In most cases, plication adds significantly to the post-operative result.However, it’s important to realize that the procedure will still significantly improve abdominal aesthetics even without muscle plication.The best results are obtained when correct analysis is performed and the best surgical option is applied.In most cases patients will require a full abdominoplasty.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
October 26, 2015
Answer: Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy Judging by your photo, you would probably benefit from a full tummy tuck. It would remove the excess skin and fat, as well as tighten any weakened muscles you may have from pregnancy. Some of your stretch marks would also be removed. You would have to have an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a better evaluation of your concerns and the cost.
Helpful
October 26, 2015
Answer: Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy Judging by your photo, you would probably benefit from a full tummy tuck. It would remove the excess skin and fat, as well as tighten any weakened muscles you may have from pregnancy. Some of your stretch marks would also be removed. You would have to have an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a better evaluation of your concerns and the cost.
Helpful
December 25, 2010
Answer: Skin Only Tummy Tuck
You can have just the excess skin removed but tightening the muscle is helpful in allowing more lax skin to be removed in addition to flattening the tummy. Also without muscle repair the tummy will remain pouchy.
Dr. ES
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
December 25, 2010
Answer: Skin Only Tummy Tuck
You can have just the excess skin removed but tightening the muscle is helpful in allowing more lax skin to be removed in addition to flattening the tummy. Also without muscle repair the tummy will remain pouchy.
Dr. ES
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
September 1, 2015
Answer: Tummy Tuck and Muscle Tightening
The tummy tuck helps with three problems on the abdomen after pregnancy.
1) Loose Skin - Excess and loose skin are removed with a tummy tuck, there is no other way to get any significant tightening of the abdominal skin.
2) Excess Fat - The majority of excess fat on the abdomen is found below the belly button. When the lower abdominal skin is removed, this fat is taken away with it. Lateral fat (around the sides) can also be safely removed with liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck.
3) Loose Muscles - Bulging of the entire abdominal wall is caused by muscle laxity. This allows the guts to fall forwards and make the belly look round.
In most cases all three need to be done for optimal results. Before ruling out muscle tightening, it would be best to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area, and see what the risks and benefits will be for you.
I've included a link below that reviews many of the common questions about tummy tucks, and a video (part 1 of 3) about tummy tuck surgery.
Helpful
September 1, 2015
Answer: Tummy Tuck and Muscle Tightening
The tummy tuck helps with three problems on the abdomen after pregnancy.
1) Loose Skin - Excess and loose skin are removed with a tummy tuck, there is no other way to get any significant tightening of the abdominal skin.
2) Excess Fat - The majority of excess fat on the abdomen is found below the belly button. When the lower abdominal skin is removed, this fat is taken away with it. Lateral fat (around the sides) can also be safely removed with liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck.
3) Loose Muscles - Bulging of the entire abdominal wall is caused by muscle laxity. This allows the guts to fall forwards and make the belly look round.
In most cases all three need to be done for optimal results. Before ruling out muscle tightening, it would be best to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area, and see what the risks and benefits will be for you.
I've included a link below that reviews many of the common questions about tummy tucks, and a video (part 1 of 3) about tummy tuck surgery.
Helpful