5ft 8, around 82-83kg - Which type of tummy tuck will I need? (Photos)

Thank you for your question regarding which type of tummy tuck would be best for you. I appreciate your history and pictures, and congratulations on maintaining your 45kg weight loss for over 12 years—this is a tremendous achievement!

Based on your photos, you have excess skin and fat on your abdomen, hips, and buttocks, which makes you a strong candidate for an extended tummy tuck or, ideally, a 360 circumferential lower body lift. A standard tummy tuck will not fully address the skin laxity and excess fat around your back and sides, which is why a lower body lift may be the most comprehensive solution to achieve your goals.

A 360 lower body lift includes an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to remove excess skin and fat, repair the rectus abdominis muscles (your "six-pack" muscles), and reposition the belly button. It also lifts and reduces the mons pubis, hips, and buttocks, addressing the sagging skin and fat deposits that commonly remain after significant weight loss.

You mentioned being advised to consider a circumferential tummy tuck to address your back. The 360 lower body lift would achieve this more effectively. Liposuction alone on your love handles and lower back may leave you with excess skin, especially considering your history of weight loss and skin quality showing stretch marks—a sign of reduced skin elasticity. If left unaddressed, this could result in loose, wrinkled skin after fat removal.

For your upper back, I recommend a horizontal torsoplasty (bra strap lift). This involves removing a butterfly-shaped area of skin and fat across your upper back, leaving a scar that can often be concealed beneath a bra strap. If you are concerned about your back rolls, this procedure can be combined with your 360 lower body lift for more comprehensive contouring.

In summary, a 360 circumferential lower body lift will provide the most dramatic and long-lasting results, addressing excess skin and fat on your abdomen, hips, and buttocks. If needed, a horizontal torsoplasty (bra strap lift) can further refine your back contour. If you have any more questions about tummy tucks, lower body lifts, or back lifts, I recommend consulting an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in post-weight loss body contouring. Do your research, examine before-and-after photos, and ensure your surgeon has performed at least 100 lower body lifts for the best outcome.

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your transformation!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA

Your photos suggest you would have a very good outcome in the abdominal area with a standard tummy tuck. it's difficult to provide a good recommendation for the extra tissue on your back because it is partially covered and distorted from your bra. Options would be liposuction, upper back lift, or extended/circumferential tummy tuck.

Congratulations on your weight loss and maintenance of your weight loss. I would agree that an abdominoplasty would work exceptionally well to contour your tummy. The question, is after weight loss, how bothered are you by the folds in your back and the amount of laxity of the skin in your back. If you wish that to be as smooth and tight as possible, usually a circumferential body lift will not only take away some of the skin laxity, but help to smooth out the creases and rolls in your back. Liposuction can help to reduce the volume of these, but it doesn’t tighten the skin as well. There is the trade-off of having a circumferential incision line, but it’s alwaysweighed against having the best result. find a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs not only abdominoplasty, but also lower body lifts and have a detailed consultation.