Would I have success with Smart lipo for my stomach and hips? Worried about stretch marks. (photos)

Question

I'm not worried about the stretch marks I have. However, I hate that I can't seem to lose the fat in my stomach and hips. I don't have help for the recovery of a tummy tuck but I do for smart lipo. Is my body one that would have success with smart lipo

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question! I worry that your skin might be too loose for SmartLipo. It will promote some skin tightening, but nothing will give you a tummy tuck result short of a tummy tuck. If you would be satisfied with some improvement, but not perfection, it may be an option. An in-person consult will be your best bet. Good luck!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

no liposuciton alone will not help and smart lipo is outdated. you need liposuction, tummy tuck and renuvion.

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

Your problem is that you need a tummy tuck, but you think you don't have help. You have two excellent options that women in your situation take all the time in my practice:

Option 1: get a visiting nurse to help you out. These are arranged beforehand and are reasonably priced for the amount of help you need.

Option 2: do a mini tummy tuck instead. The recovery is quicker and you don't really need a full tummy tuck because y our muscles are in pretty good shape.

Many experts, myself included, solve problems like yours all the time and offer the ease and convenience of a virtual consultation to discuss all of your important questions and concerns one on one privately. It's just a conversation on Skype, Zoom, email or phone.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

In my experience, Smart Lipo laser liposuction will remove stubborn fat and tighten skin to a degree.

This will thin the areas without the longer recovery of a tummy tuck.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear MW89,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit from a liposuction. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

Gregory Chambon, MD · Answer

You appear to be a good candidate for Smart Lipo, but an exam would help evaluate your abdominal muscle wall. Smart Lipo does create more tightening than traditional lipo. Stretch marks could be addressed with fractional skin resurfacing thereafter.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Any type of liposuction could help you, not just a technology term (SmartLipo). I did SmartLipo for years and my own lipo techniques are far superior! The stretch mark are NOT effected by any type of liposuction. I also think you are looking for lipo under local anesthesia only? BIG mistake.... Best to see in person a few private practice boarded PSs.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Liposuction will not change the appearance on the front of your abdomen other than make it flatter. It will bring the skin closer to your muscle layer but otherwise look the same.

I typically treat the entire torso and not just the front of the abdomen when I do Liposuction.

The areas you’ll appreciate the biggest change is probably in the love handles and waist.

Liposuction does not address pregnancy related changes which are skin laxity, in your case including stretch marks or muscle separation.

Smart Lipo offers no benefit to any other form of Liposuction. The secondary laser treatment done with smart Liposuction simply doesn’t do anything.

I speak from first-hand experience Having done over 1000 laser assisted Liposuction cases.

Don’t worry about the type of Liposuction. Find the most talented surgeon. That is the only variable that matters.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum! 
From your photos, I note a full lower abdomen and full flanks associated with significant stretch marks of the lower abdomen. There is a lower abdominal shelf.  You do not appear overweight.
As a result of previous pregnancy, your abdominal skin and soft tissues have stretched out to accommodate the growing fetus. In addition, your underlying anterior abdominal musculature most likely has been splayed out and thinned. 
A liposuction will address the flanks, but an abdominoplasty may be more appropriate to treat the abdomen.. 
An abdominoplasty will repair the musculature (thus flattening the belly) and remove excess stretched out skin. A liposuction of the flanks may also be of benefit.
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion. 
Best wishes...

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

Although it is definitely true that you will get a better final result from a tummy tuck, you will definitely get some improvement from Smartlipo. i would suggest treating your upper, lower abdomen and flanks at one time. you can return to work the next day. you will continue to improve for 6 months. You can always get a TT at a future date, if you want further improvement.

david berman md

david berman md

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