Smart Lipo or Mini-tummy Tuck?

Liposuction is less invasive and quicker to recover from than a Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty). This is because liposuction only involves removing fat from beneath your skin. Your body will cause the overlying skin to contract only to the degree it is capable, often leaving redundant skin which can be unsightly. In other words, you need good elasticity to get a good result.A Tummy Tuck involves removing redundant skin and tightening the underlying muscles. Sometimes liposuction is combined as needed with a Tummy Tuck for the best possible result. The question is whether the shape of your abdomen is affected by an excess of fat, skin, muscle separation or laxity, or some combination thereof. This can only be determined by examination, so go ahead and consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Some of my patients elect to have liposuction first, and then opt for a Tummy Tuck if the results are not satisfying. Smart Lipo offers little or no advantage vs other forms of lipo in my opinion.

When patients present with contour
irregularities of their abdomen following pregnancy it’s important that they
undergo a comprehensive evaluation. 
This evaluation should consider muscle strength, skin laxity, abdominal
scars, the amount of abdominal fat and the patients overall health.  Based on the findings of this
evaluation an appropriate treatment plan can be developed.

This type of comprehensive
treatment plan addresses the entire abdomen, not just the subcutaneous
fat.  It’s important to realize
that some patients will require liposuction, while others may require mini
abdominoplasty or abdominoplasty depending upon their particular
deformity.  No two patients are
alike and the treatment plan needs to be individualized based on the anatomic
findings.

Without the ability to perform a
physical examination it’s hard to know which option is best for you.  Based on your description you might be
a good candidate for liposuction, but in my experience the majority of women
who have had three children usually require an abdominoplasty.

It’s important to be evaluated by a
plastic surgeon who can perform the entire range of surgical procedures to
correct abdominal contour irregularities. 
Make sure your surgeon can perform liposuction as well as
abdominoplasty.  Make sure he’s not
the guy with a hammer so the whole world becomes a nail.

If you have had 3 children, a mini tummy tuck is a limited operation in patients that have no excess skin above the umbilicus or have never had children. If you have had children and have any redundant skin, a mini abdominoplasty will not work. Smart Lipo does not work. Smart liposuction is a technology that is largely unproven and if you have any redundant skin, any type of liposuction will not work and will actually make it worse.

This is best answered at your consultation with your Surgeon. A physical examination will evaluate your muscle anatomy to your abdomen that can sometimes be affected by pregnancies, widening the center of the rectus muscle that runs straight down your abdomen and this may cause a projected abdomen. This can only be repaired with a formal abdominoplasty because the plication, or bringing together, of the rectus muscle is done above and below the naval. The amount if fat that lies above your abdominal muscles will also be evaluated to determine if liposuction is appropriate and would give the results you want. Sometimes, weight loss and exercise can be an option too! You may not need a mini tummy tuck with the description given, but again, a physical examination is necessary. 

Generally speaking Smart Lipo is NOT a substitute for a tummy tuck. It may supplement the results of a tummy tuck.

Form your description and without having any photos, I would presume that you have some lower abdominal skin laxity and stretch marks after 3 pregnancies.  Based on my presumption, my recoomendation for you is to have a mini-tummy tuck with standard liposuction.  I do not like laser lipo since it can produce contour assymnetry in my opinion.

It would really be impossible to accurately give you the right answer without a consultation.
In the simplest terms a mini abdominoplasty addresses loose skin and excess fat and liposuction addresses just the fat. There can be a little skin tightening with liposuction but often it is not enough.
If the skin is relatively tight, liposuction is the cheaper, simpler option with smaller scars.
If the skin is loose, liposuction would not be enough.

I am not a fan of mini-abdominoplasties in most circumstances. Most women who have children and abdominal issues need a full abdominoplasty.
In your situation, minimal loose skin and modest amount of fat, liposuction assisted by a laser system should help. I don't think there is a lot of skin tightening with the laser but there is a little and it sounds like that's just what you need.
vz

If your skin is tight with no stretch marks, you are a good candidate for liposuction. If there is excess skin in the lower abdomen, removing some of that skin above the pubis and liposuction( mini tummy tuck) would give you the best results. If the excess skin is above your belly button a full abdominoplasty is the answer.

The infraumbilical or lower abdomen may benefit from either a mini tummy tuck or liposuction. The decision arises from the amount of skin redundancy, skin elasticity, presence of stretch marks, and the amount of abdominal wall laxity.