How can I tell if I have Visceral Fat Or Subcutaneous fat I asked about getting a Tummy Tuck and was told it won't help. (photo)

Question

I was told I have Visceral Fat and A Tummy Tuck won't do anything for me I see people with before and after photos who have a stomach that looks like mine and their after photo looks great !Keep in mind I do not want to be thin I want to have a flat stomach and back with no rolls ! What surgery or lipo can I do to achieve that. this body type runs in my family both my mom & grandmother and my aunts have this body ! Please help me ! I eat healthy and exercise.

Mahlon Kerr, MD, FACS · Answer

While some of your fat may be visceral (around your internal organs) what you can grab on the outside is fair game. A tummy tuck can certainly improve your shape, but some of your upper abdominal fullness will likely remain to some degree. Happy to chat further if you like about your options. Good luck!  Dr K

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Based upon the pictures submitted, you would likely get the best results with a tummy tuck with liposuction of the sides and back.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Ramin Behmand, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat that is around your organs and bowels is visceral fat and is NOT accessible during a tummy tuck.  Fat that is under your skin is the fat that is accessible during a tummy tuck and can be removed.  Visceral fat presents itself as a firm-to-touch abdomen, even though the belly is protruding out. You often see this type of excess fat in men. Fat under the skin is more doughy and soft to touch. Most women have this type of excess abdominal fat.  The fat under the skin is what responds very well to a tummy tuck.  In your case, it appears that you may have a combination of the two and would likely still benefit from a tummy tuck.  It would be worth your while to get another opinion.  Dr. B.

Michael E. Decherd, MD, FACS · Answer

I think that based upon your picture you would still get a lot of improvement from a tummy tuck. I tell people in the office that we start with you and while we can change you to an arguably better version of you we cannot change you to someone else. That being said you would have a lot of skin tightened.Good Luck!

Christopher T. Maloney Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for attaching photos. An abdominoplasty with some flank liposuction would get rid of the excess skin, tighten your abdominal muscles and smooth out the "love handle" area. This being said, you do have some visceral fat that is around the organs that we cannot get to with an abdominoplasty or lipo. This fat can only be reduced by diet and exercise. It really comes down to your expectations. An abdominoplasty with some lipo will make you look better, but it will not get you a flat stomach without a significant amount of work on your part with diet and exercise. If you are expecting a flat stomach, you will not be happy. If your expectations to remove the excess skin and some fat are realistic, you should do well. I wish you the best.

Matthias Solomon, MD · Answer

You likely have visceral fat, but a tummy tuck with liposuction and tightening of the muscle will make a dramatic change. Consult with a board certified plastic surgery with experience in these procedures.

Ankur Mehta, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for posting photos along with your question. So there is truth to the fact that abdominal fat is of 2 sorts: the fat around your organs (visceral) and the fat between your skin and your abdominal muscles (abdominal wall.) Both of these can contribute to the fullness of the abdomen and prevent the abdomen from having a flatter look. The visceral fat can only be reduced through diet and exercise. The fat above the abdominal wall and below the skin can also be reduced through diet and exercise....but if that doesn't work then that's where I step in! I see patient's similar to you everyday and as long as they are a good candidate for surgery (good health) I pretty much recommend doing liposuction and tummy tuck at the same time. I frequently perform these procedures at the same time because I think it provides the most optimal results! Even if one has a significant amount of visceral fat I have seen very good end results with liposuction and tummy tuck. You appear to have loose skin so even getting rid of the extra skin and pulling down tight will really help. I hope this helps! Also, please make sure you are being seen by a board certified plastic surgeon!Ankur Mehta MDBoard certified in plastic surgery by The American Board of Plastic SurgerySugar Land, Tx

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

Definitely Tummy Tuck will help to achieve a nice result because you have a lot of saggy skin, BUT the main issue in your case is your protruding abdomen which is due to fat inside of abdominal cavity and loose muscle. Loose muscle is fixable doing a tight muscle repair, but it turns almost impossible to do, and sometimes dangerous, because  the large volume inside the abdominal cavity (fat among organs) may cause high pressure inside and then internal organs problems.Large volume of fat inside of abdominal cavity can NOT be removed surgically, only reduced by losing weight.If you lay down and your abdomen is convex instead of concave or totally flat, most likely, you have excess of fat inside abdominal cavity.Be encouraged. Dr. Cardenas.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck will help you get a better figure, a smaller waistline, and get rid of the hanging skin in the lower abdomen seen in the photos. The tummy tuck operation will only remove the skin and fat in front of the muscles while the "visceral" fat behind the muscles will be untouched. You can still expect a good improvement, just not an ideal result unless you lose the visceral fat through diet and exercise.Please view my before an after to see patients with similar body composition in the link below.

Ralph M. Rosato, MD · Answer

You certainly can benefit from a tummy tuck. With diet and exercise you can loose the visceral fat. Liposuction can be done of the hips and flank to help restore your waist. Good luck.

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