What does it mean to not have enough skin for a tummy tuck? (Photos)

To execute a properly planned abdominoplasty, the amount of skin laxity that needs to be present must allow for the hole where the belly button will be isolated to reach the lower skin excision.  Sure this hole can be placed anywhere between the desired skin excision and the current position of the belly button, but is that the desired result? No! If you have a low incision line but a vertical scar between the scar and the new belly button is that bikini appropriate? No!.  So of course you CAN perform an abdominoplasty on anyone.  It is just a matter of whether you care about the outcome or you are just pandering to the patients or will operate on anyone and blame them for a bad outcome because they signed the consent forms.  A surgeon that says that you do not have enough skin to perform a tummy tuck means that there is not enough skin laxity to get the hole created by isolating the belly button low enough to hide the scar in your bikini line, or you will end up with an inappropriately high scar or an additional ugly scar smack in the middle if your abdomen. It also means the skin is tight enough that liposuction with the skin retraction will work.  If one hasn't laid hands on the skin the surgeon's opinion is null and void.  Can it be done? Yes.  Should it be done? No.  Anyone that that can tell from your photographs that you have enough skin is either kidding themselves, blowing smoke, stumping for patients, or just plain confused.  You need to examine the skin, pull on it, see how much give there is, see how far the skin must move, and make a real decision based on the patient's best interests.  Anything else is in the surgeon's best interests in filling their otherwise empty schedule.  Do not be fooled by empty promises.  If you are told you should not have a tummy tuck and you do for whatever reason, it will become clear to you that the surgeon that told you you do not have enough skin had your best interests in mind and the rest were running a plastic surgery mill and really didn't  care about their patients or their own outcomes.  Having a surgery picked out before a consultation is cheating yourself out of the 30 years of experience the surgeon has accumulated and basing your decision on whatever internet research you can accumulate.  They are not the same.  You ultimately have control over your body.  You need to decide for yourself.  Odds are high that if you have a tummy tuck you will be back in the first surgeon's office afterwards with a poor outcome trying to figure out a way to recover something from nothing, guaranteed. Answers here show 9 lipo to 4 tummy tuck.  The choice is now yours.

Elasticity means the amount that the skin will stretch.  And I agree with those that said that to know if a tummy tuck is best for you requires a personal examination.  However, well-trained plastic surgeons can still disagree about what will work best for each patient.  I would visit with several board-certified plastic surgeons.  Make sure that they have A LOT of experience doing body contouring, then go with whom you trust.  Good luck. 

Thanks for your question. I do think you have enough skin for a tummy tuck, or perhaps a mini tummy tuck. That said, liposuction alone can often be effective in younger individuals. A staged skin removal is also always an option if you opt for liposuction only. Be sure to see a fully trained plastic surgeon in your area to evaluate your options.