Will SmartLipo or SlimLipo Help The Loose Skin On My Abdomen Post-Babies? (photo)

Hello Megan,

It's a real dilema you are in: fear of a scar versus 'hating' your belly.  There is very little evidence in the literature that indicates laser lipolysis produces any clinically significant changes to the appearance of your skin compared to traditional liposuction.  There are two reasons why this is so.

The first has to do with the temperature required to denature or coagulate (shrink!) collagen, the most important molecule in your skin.  Although the number varies depending on the amount of time a heat source is applied, it is safe to say that this doesn't occur until the temperature is 65 degrees Celcius, or 150 degrees Farenheit.  Unfortunately, your skin will suffer third degree burns when skin temperatures go above of 46 to 50 degrees C, and the manufacturers of these devices caution not allowing skin temperatures above 42 degrees C. 

The second reason has to do with how much skin tightening (or shrinking) needs to occur before meaningful changes occur in the appearance of your belly and tightness of your skin.  Some prolific writers on the subject of laser lipolysis include Suzuki and DiBernardo, both plastic surgeons receiving money from the companies that make these devices.  Their studies indicate improved shrinkage of skin compared to traditional liposuction.  However, the amount of shrinkage they are referring to is on the order of millimeters.  A typical abdominoplasty takes out many inches to achieve a real (referred to as 'clinical') effect.

I was one of those surgeons given a laser lipolysis device too.  Syneron gave me a Lipolite 5 years ago, sent me to Toronto to be 'trained' and asked me to train other doctors.  Very quickly it was apparent that this device (and the technology in general) not only did not shrink skin well, it was very inefficient and irregular in its removal of fat too.  It was also apparent that devices like these are potentially dangerous and can cause serious burns leading to loss of skin.

You should visit a few surgeons that have a good reputation for abdominoplasty and are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.  After seeing their results you can make up your mind if you can 'stomach' the scar, which in most people is very inconspicuous in time.  If you can't, you should learn to love your belly and not move forward with any procedure.

Best of luck!

I think you would be very disappointed with the results of any type of liposuction. I know you do not want a scar but some form of tummy tuck is the better way to go for you.  Best wishes.

Thank you for the question and pictures.

You should be congratulated on the appearance of your abdomen after having children.

Unfortunately, you are not a candidate for any form of liposuction surgery because you have lost skill elasticity with pregnancies. Good skin elasticity is an important  attribute  of the patient undergoing liposuction surgery.   After the liposuction procedure we are depending on the skin elasticity to allow the skin envelope to “shrink” to fit the reduced contour resulting from the liposuction procedure.

On the other hand, you should have a very nice result with tummy tuck surgery.

When the time is right, consider consultation with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.

Best wishes.