Is a tummy tuck my only option? (Photo)

Question

I am a 33 yr old mom of 3. I consider myself pretty active, exercise 5 days a week, eat healthy and at 5'7 125 lbs don't consider myself overweight by any means. But I hate the excess, wrinkly skin I have. My last son did a number on my abs! I was put on bedrest with him so wasn't able to exercise like I had with my previous pregnancies and he was by far my bigest at almost 10 lbs. My husband hates the idea of a tummy tuck but is it my only option and am I even a candidate for it?

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck surgery is one of our favorite operations because of the dramatic improvements abdominoplasty patients achieve.
There are various types of abdominoplasty procedures for patients to choose from. Each one is designed to treat a specific set of needs.  In consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon, the choice of procedure will be made based on your anatomic features and desired outcome.  While all tummy tucks have in common that they tighten the abdominal skin, there are two key differences between the various procedures. The incision lengths vary depending on the amount of skin to be excised, and the abdominal muscles may be tightened if they have excess laxity.I think you would be a good candidate for a mimi tummy tuck with plication to repair your separated abdominal muscles.  It would also remove some of the stretch marks in your lower abdomen.

That said, you definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  Best is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.I hope this was helpful.  Please let me me know if you have any other questions regarding the procedure. Thank you and best of luck.  Dr. Campbell

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Are there options to having a tummy tuckFrom your photos you'll do well with at least a mini abdominoplasty to remove some of the loose skin. Other options at this time include micro needling and various machines that have radiofrequency technique such as thermi smooth

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.If you do not wish to have a Full Tummy Tuck, you can go for a Mini Abdominoplasty with repair of diastasis of the rectus muscles. This should give you a very satisfactory result. There are multiple non-surgical options available including radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening which can give you limited improvement (if you do not want any cuts at all). It would be best that you make an appointment with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who can examine you and give you different options.All The Best !

Jon M. Grazer, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

There a number of skin tightening modalities available, but the results are often very subtle. The benefit  of a tummy is long lasting and a majority of all your stretch marks will be gone, this is not possible with skin tightening devices. Additionally the muscle will be tightened further flattening your abdomen. I have seen patients that have had tummy tucks by my father, Frederick M. Grazer, MD, FACS, one of the early tummy tuck pioneers. Several of these patients are now in their mid 80' with tummy tucks done 45 years ago, and they still have flat abdomens.I have a patient of my own, that was told by her trainer if she did hundreds of sit ups the loose skin would go away. Not So. She worked out excessively, with no improvement until she had a tummy tuck. She was reluctant to get a tummy tuck because of the scar. Now she only wears hip hugger, low-rider denims, and her scar is hidden by a string bikini.Yours,Jon M.Grazer, MD, MPH, FACSNewpprt Beach, CA

Robert J. Spies, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question and the pictures.  Your best bet is to have a complete tummy tuck.  Yes, there are the scars to deal with but they are placed in the bikini line and do fade over several years (sometimes sooner).  Without more pregnancies or massive weight gain, the results will last years.  Your husband will be happy when he sees how flat and tight your belly has become and how happy you are as well.  Be sure to see several plastic surgeons who are experienced in body contour surgery and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

1karical,I think its great you are active and healthy and congratulations on being a mother of 3! Two things happen when women have children. The rectus muscles (the six pack) spreads a bit. This varies based on the individual but almost any mother will have some spread. This is called rectus diasthasis.  The other thing that happens is the skin stretches out to accomodate the pregnancy. Most of this contracts back but again, depending on the indvidual, this may not happen full.As of right now, the only way to address the excess skin is surgical excision, either a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck. The mini can't address skin above the belly button however but it boasts a much reduced scar.Liposuction does not remedy excess skin, its main job is to remove excess fat.Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions.I hope this was helpful,Dr. Daniel BarrettPlastic and Reconstructive SurgeryBeverly Hills, CA

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A short scar tummy tuck would produce a very nice result for you.  I
would search for the board certified plastic surgeon who you feel is
most likely to give you the best results and who performs hundreds of
these procedures each year. I would look at patient reviews as well as
before and after photos on that surgeon's website.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Luis Macias, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on the photos, you look like you are likely a great candidate for a tummy tuck.  The only way to get rid of your excess skin is through removal. The only way to know if you are a candidate, see a board-certified plastic surgeon for an in person consultation. Hope this helps and best wishes.

Robert M. Kachenmeister, MD · Answer

Congrats on your great shape after three kids! Unfortunately, options for loose skin are really limited to skin removal only. Exercise will not tighten it no matter how hard you try. It appears from the photos that the skin of the lower abdomen has stretched quite a bit and will need to be removed with some type of "full" TT. Just make sure you have your surgeon keep your scar LOW in your bikini line so you can show off your new figure in that new bikini. Best of luck!

Jeffrey Antimarino, MD, FACS · Answer

In your case I believe a standard tummy tuck is your best option.  You are a thin person with excess skin due to pregnancy.  A tummy tuck would give you the best option to remove much of the excess skin and stretch marks as well as tighten the abdominal wall, restoring your  pre-pregnancy shape.    Any other modalities, liposuction or non-surgical procedures would be inadequate in dealing with the excess skin.

Is a tummy tuck my only option? (Photo)

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