Stretch marks and loose skin - am I a candidate for Tummy Tuck or Liposuction? (photos)

Question

I had two pregnancies back to back during the pandemic. I did my best to take care of my skin and don't have a ton of stretch marks just a bit of loose skin. I'm wondering if I'm a good candidate for a tummy tuck or I can get away with just Lipo and maybe a skin tightening alternative like j-plasma? I'm trying to avoid a tummy tuck (if it's avoidable)because I tend to not always scar well. Please advise.

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a great candidate for liposuction and will have a great result. While J-plasma and Renuvion devices have shown some success in skin tightening, the FDA recently warned against their use for skin tightening given its risk of complications. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options to reach your goal. I hope this helps.

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. I would recommend you Tummy tuck and liposuction for betters results. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. I recommend you waist and back Liposculpture, getting better curves especially in the waist, improving your body contour and the skin tightening treatment to stimulate the skin retraction ability. I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you have not told us your height or weight. It may be possible for you to lose some weight to make your situation easier to correct. Liposuction can be done but the skin may hang afterwards. You can undergo a tummy tuck at a later, if necessary.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

For best results, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction, which can be performed at the same time as a tummy tuck, depending on skin laxity. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermiRF/J Plasma/Renuvion/InMode BodyTite and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

Based on your photos you have several issues:
Protruding abdomen as te result of visceral fat, so you must lose some weight before surgery to look flat. Your muscle is loose after the pregnancies and that will not improve at all with liposuction or exercise. You have saggy skin and liposuction will only make it saggier and I consider based on your degree of saggy skin , yours won’t retract enough to look nice and smooth. And lastly your abdominal skin and back is very thick. 
So in my opinion you will be great candidate number one to lose weight (10-15 lbs), then  for a Tummy Tuck and muscle repair in order to achieve a flat abdomen and smaller waist. Liposuction to waist and back. That fat may be used on your buttocks or hips if you want it. 
Be encouraged!!
Dr. Cárdenas

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Babylifter,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you can try liposuction and see if you will get good results. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you 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

Robert Oliver Jr., MD · Answer

I wouldn't overthink this. You are probably a good candidate for liposuction as the first line option for you as your skin quality is good. I would strongly discourage adding heat based treatments (smart lipo/laser liposuction, ultrasonic/VASER, radiofrequency)  to that as they add significant potential complications for very little if any benefit.

we and many of our colleagues have seen a number of complications from the internal energy based devices, such that most experienced cosmetic surgeons have abandoned them. There may always be some future technology that is an improvement to revisit that issue, but we really have not seen that yet in the cosmetic surgery field.

S. Darrell Lee, MD · Answer

Be very careful with J plasma as the FDA issued a warning to both health care workers and consumers about using the device for skin contraction. Find a Plastic Surgeon that has skin tightening modalities like BodyTite instead of J plasma. With the combo of Lipo and BodyTite you should have a very nice outcome as long as your skin quality is good.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Might offer aggressive lipo but NOT J=Plasma since FDA released warning against its use! Last week!!!!. Exoect fees in $6,000-$10,000 ranges.

Stretch marks and loose skin - am I a candidate for Tummy Tuck or Liposuction? (photos)

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