How much skin to remove? (Photo)

Hello 16huck. Thank you for your question regarding how much skin can be removed during a tummy tuck.

From the photos provided, I do not see any significant stretch marks. The amount of skin removed during a tummy tuck is determined by how much excess skin remains after the dissection and the muscle repair. Your plastic surgeon will measure out the excess skin to ensure a natural and balanced result.

Your skin naturally loosens over time, and it is not recommended to do anything to intentionally stretch your skin before surgery. If you are concerned about the skin being too tight, it is essential to discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Communicate your desire for a natural look without overly tight skin. Your surgeon can tailor the procedure to your preferences, ensuring that enough skin is removed to achieve a smooth contour while avoiding an overly tight appearance.

Good luck with your surgery, and I hope you achieve the results you are looking for.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Dear jrice1015,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

This is a good question that many people have. The amount of skin removed depends on the amount of excess skin and the skin characteristics -ie skin quality and elasticity- which varies between individuals. The amount of skin removed in you depends on how stretchy your skin is, which is determined on physical exam. During surgery, we try to take out as much skin that is safely possible, without giving an overly stretched or unnatural appearance. Too much tension will also affect wound healing. There is not much that can be done for the extra skin above or bellow the belly button - surgery is the most effective way to address that. Although stretch marks will remain in the areas of where the skin is not removed, based on the pictures your stretch marks are not obvious. Hope this helps!