Will my skin hang over my belly button after lipo? (Photo)

Question

Having lipo of flanks, abdomen and outer thighs. Will my skin hang over my belly button after all is said and done?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Based on your picture it looks like you can benefit from liposuction with bodytite to tighten the area, an in person consultation would be best for a detailed exam and evaluation.always see a board certified PS.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Liposuction is so doctor dependent.  Docs who still do the old method of lipo under general anesthesia with the larger canula, you can guarantee you will have lose saggy skin. But if you get the newer tum. local with the smaller canulas, it is very rare to have skin hanging anywhere.

Miguel Mota, MD · Answer

Hello Melody. Unfortunately, it will hang over. I prefer to be honest rather then saying what patients want to hear. Your skin already hangs over you belly button. It will get worst after lipo. No matter what type of lipo is performed. Some "lipos" can actually help with skin tightening, but they will never substitute a Tummy Tuck on a patient who really needs one. Not even Vaser Lipo. I feel you will be much happier with a traditional TT with muscle repair plus lipo. This is the only way to get rid of the excess skin and make your tummy as flat as possible. The TT can still be combined with flank, wast and outer thigh lipo, maybe even your full back.Tummy Tuck scars can be done very low and easy to hide. So, if you are ok with the TT scar I have to recommend a TT rather then just lipo. Lipo alone will only make things worst and you will eventually, not only want to correct the excess skin with a Tummy Tuck, but you will probably need a TT more then you do now.  I feel a TT is your best option. If you are worried about your skin hanging over you belly button, but are afraid of the TT..... it is probably best to not have anything done for now, and wait until you are ready for the Tummy Tuck.Best of luck,Dr. Miguel Mota

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Based on your pictures, you aren't a candidate for liposuction alone, due to skin laxity. 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 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

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your
question. Based on your photograph and skin laxity, you are a better candidate for a tummy tuck
with liposuction.  This can be done
through a low and short incision, all completely below the bikini line.  The belly button can be designed to look
natural and have no scars on the exterior.  
Your muscles can also be plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

Since the skin above your belly button tends to hang over your belly button now, I would expect that it would probably continue to do so after liposuction alone.  Liposuction will remove fat but it doesn't tighten the skin.  If you add laser-assisted lipo to the mix, you might get some additional skin tightening but I still think you will have some overhang afterwards.  Based on your picture, you might be a better candidate for a full tummy tuck.  Before you commit to surgery, you might want to get a second opinion from a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Melody.  I appreciate your concern, but it is hard to predict how each individual’s skin will retract after liposuction. It appears from your photographs that you are a reasonable candidate for this operation and should end up with a very nice result, however complete skin retraction cannot be guaranteed. Seek out the advice of a board-certified plastic surgeon to further discuss this issue. Good luck.

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

Judging from your photo, you would be best served with a liposuction and either a tummy tuck or reversed TT. The loose skin above your belly button looks like it would sag excessively with a liposuction. The reverse TT would alleviate the loose skin in your upper abdomen. A full TT would tighten the skin over your entire abdomen, and your rectus muscles could be sutured as well as an internal corset. If you have the full TT, I highly recommend the no-drain or drainless TT. The recovery time is less, the discomfort is less as well as the risk of complications.
An alternative would be to have the liposuction with a ThermiTight, which would tighten the skin somewhat, but not as tight as a TT. 
Thank you for your question and photo, and good luck.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You already have a loose skin on top of belly button. Lipo will likely produce more. Smart lipo may help to tighten the skin to a certain degree.

Jean Paul Giudicelli Saba, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for sharing your concern and photos with us!

Looking at your photos I might say that you´ll be a great candidate to get an entire back, waist and flanks liposuction, with BBL, and tummy tuck, this is because all the extra skin located in this areas plus your abdominal muscle needs to be repaired.

Before all this, of course, you need to get a complete medical evaluation and laboratory exams to check everything is fine. Also please try to find a board certified plastic surgeon, remember that your safety, always, is going to be first.

Have a great day!

Dr. JPG

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