59 years old. Do I need a mini tummy tuck? (Photos)

Question

I am very lean. I estimate I am at 10 percent body fat. I have upper ans, but the lower and are cover by excess skin. IDK if the skin will remodel in time or not. I am 59 years old so that is working against me

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

From your photographs, it seems you certainly do not need a tummy tuck.  You would probably get very little improvement and you could save your money for a nice little trip.  Your loose skin seems very natural.

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

At 59 and very lean, loose lower abdominal skin is less likely to “remodel” significantly on its own, especially if it has already been present for some time. Skin quality and elasticity decrease with age, even in someone with low body fat.
A mini tummy tuck can be a good option when the problem is mainly excess skin below the belly button and there is little concern for upper abdominal looseness or muscle separation. It can remove lower abdominal skin and improve the lower contour with a shorter scar than a full tummy tuck.
However, a mini tummy tuck will not do much for upper abdominal skin laxity. If the upper abdomen also has loose skin, a full tummy tuck or another customized skin-removal approach may be more effective, but that comes with a longer scar and belly button work.
Because you are very lean, liposuction is unlikely to be the main solution and could even create irregularities if overdone. The decision is more about skin removal than fat removal.
My advice would be to have an in-person exam with a plastic surgeon who can check skin laxity above and below the belly button, muscle separation, and scar placement. If the loose skin is truly limited to the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck may be reasonable. If the laxity extends higher, a full tummy tuck may give a better result.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The tummy tuck is the most reliable way to remove the excess skin.  You could try less aggressive options such as BodyTite depending on your desired result.  The best place to begin is a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation.  I've included a video on BodyTite that I hope you find helpful.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I’m guessing you’ve had some weight fluctuations.
If you’re going to have any kind of skin surgery, you need to do a full tummy tuckgrid.
You have skin laxity above and below your belly button.
My best recommendation is probably to leave good enough alone.
If you don’tmind the scar and potentially unnatural looking belly button, then you can move forward with a tummy tuck.
 It may be good to understand that you don’t need muscle tightening because that part of the procedure is only pertinent to women who’ve had pregnancies.
Without muscle tightening at full tummy tuck has a far easier recovery.
If you read about horrible tummy to recoveries it is because of muscletightening which tends to be really painful for the first week or so after the procedure.
A full tummy that addresses skin only is still a pretty big procedure and usually requires having drains which is a bit annoying.
My best recommendation would probably be to accept body the way it is and be proud of how fit you are.
Overall, I think you look really good.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

59 years old. Do I need a mini tummy tuck? (Photos)

Answers (4)

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