Would I be a good candidate for a tummy tuck with muscle repair? (Photos)

Question

I'm looking to get a tummy tuck with muscle repair and lipo done. I have had 3 pregnancies all c-sections. I have lost 30lbs in preparation for the surgery because I can not tell if I have fat around my organs or just fat under my skin and I do not want to look 6 months pregnant after the tummy tuck. My question is Will I have a flat stomach after the tummy tuck, or will I look pregnant? I just want to have realistic expectations. Thank you for your time.

Paul E. Chasan, MD, FACS · Answer

I am in agreement with the other plastic surgeons that you are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck and liposuction. It's rare that all opinions from plastic surgeons are the same. You should be able to have an excellent result with a flat abdomen. It's great that you have already made a commitment to improving your body contour by loosing 30 lbs. Tummy tuck surgery is a major step, but the results will be worth it. Best wishes to you.

Larry C. Leverett, MD, FACS · Answer

The photos submitted show that this patient is going to need an abdominoplasty and liposuction in order to see the desired body contouring. The thighs are not shown so the surgeon cannot assess whether a lower body lift/belt lipectomy would be better for patients with significant preoperative weight  loss. . If the thighs are great, then one would likely opt for an extended abdominoplasty with liposuction to the flanks (+/-) the mid back and or thighs.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

There appears to be a significant amount of fat and loose skin that could be removed with a tummy tuck. You may also have some visceral fat that wouldn’t be removed. For this reason, it’s important to understand your expectations of surgery. How flat of a stomach do you want? While your stomach would definitely be flatter after surgery, any visceral fat remaining may cause it to slightly protrude. An in-person examination would give you a better idea of what to expect from surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Time4newme1691,I would recommend you to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon for a detailed examination. After a consultation, you will get the general idea what can you expect from a tummy tuck surgery. Based on your photos, you might be a good candidate for a TT. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello Dear!
Based on your photos you are a good candidate for a liposuction with TummyTuck and I think you'll get very good results. . 
Liposuction allows your plastic surgeon to transform your entire shape. You improve your abdomen, waist, back and of course your buttock to give you a beautiful heart shape.
I recommend you to make an appointment with a board plastic surgeon for a good evaluation and to talk about your goals.
Good luck :)

Robert M. Kachenmeister, MD · Answer

Thank you for reaching out and sharing photos! First off , congrats on your weight loss! That in itself is a huge accomplishment! You definitely seem to be a great candidate, I would start by going on a few in person consultations with experienced board certified surgeons near you! Best of luck! Dr. Kachenmeister

Jean Paul Giudicelli Saba, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for sharing your concern and photos with us!
First I want to congratulate you for making this important decision. Deciding to get an aesthetic procedure to change your body and get a new life style is a big step!
  
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. For us your safety, always, is going to be first.
  
Have a great day! 
  
Dr. JPG

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

but if flat as a board is your goal, you may not reach that.  Lipoabdominoplasty that combines liposuction with skin excision would also produce a better result than a traditional tummy tuck.  And if your surgeon only offers traditional tummy tucks (that do not allow for concomitant liposuction), consider finding one that can do that for you.  So if a huge difference is good enough, then go for it.  But if perfection and flat is needed, I know I could not achieve that for you.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Based on your limited photos, you appear to be anatomically a candidate for a full tummy tuck and liposuction of selective areas with a significant cosmetic improvement. It is difficult to tell whether you are a good candidate and how flat your abdomen will be without a physical examination and complete medical history. It would depend on your anatomical findings, motivation, realistic expectations, and whether you are finished having children. An abdominoplasty should be delayed until you are within 10 pounds of your ideal weight and have finished all of your pregnancies. Lesser procedures will not produce a good cosmetic result in a patient with your anatomy. 
 
 If a member of my family underwent a tummy tuck, it would be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) . If you are serious about undergoing these procedures, you should have a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon having those credentials, who will fully explain what is entailed in the procedures, including both the positives and potential problems. You should be complimented on the fact that you are seeking valid information before jumping into any procedure.
 
 Robert Singer, MD FACS
 
 La Jolla, California

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures. You seem to be an excellent candidate for tummy tuck surgery; definitive advice however would necessitate much more information.  Generally speaking, the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable, has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her, is capable of arranging enough recovery time, does not smoke and who has reached a long-term stable weight. If I were seeing you in consultation, we would be able to discuss expected outcomes and realistic expectations with the help of goal photographs and the use of previous patients' before/after photographs.  You will likely be able to directly meet and communicate with patients who have undergone the same procedure.
 Since you considering undergoing a major operation which again involves a significant physical AND emotional recovery ( often underestimated by surgeons and patients alike), a few words of advice may be helpful:
1. Make sure you are doing the procedure for the right reasons (for yourself) and that you have realistic expectations. Be aware that an improvement in the “problem area” may not translate to an overall improvement in your life situation. You are bound to be disappointed with results of the procedure if your motivation for doing the surgery is not internally driven.
2. Time your surgery carefully; generally, it is not a good idea to have surgery done during or immediately after a stressful period in life (for example divorce or death of a loved one). The additional stress of surgery will undoubtedly be more challenging to deal with if a patient's emotional reserves our already exhausted. Remember, that an improvement in your physical appearance will not translate to an improvement in your life situation.
3. If possible speak to patients who have undergone similar procedures and query them about the toughest times of their recovery period. Any practical hints previous patients can provide may be very helpful.
4. Make sure you are aware of potential complications that may arise how to reach your surgeon if necessary.
5. Make sure you have a strong and patient support system (several people if possible) in place who have time/patience to take care of you. Arrange for professional nursing if any doubt exists regarding the availability and/or stamina of your caretakers.
6. Be patient with the healing process, understanding that it will take several weeks to months to feel “normal” again. It may also take many months/year to see the end results of your surgery.
7. Be prepared to distract your mind with things of interest such as books, magazines, and movies.
8. Expect less of yourself; do not go back to work, school or chores too early and let others take care of you (for a change).
9. Pick your surgeon carefully (a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon) and trust in his/her advice. Keep in close communication with your surgeon and do not hesitate to communicate questions/concerns and the emotional swings that you may experience.
10. Resume all medications that you were using preoperatively when cleared by your plastic surgeon and stop the use of narcotics and sedatives as soon as feasible after surgery.
11. Keep in mind the end results as you go through the tougher emotional times after your surgery.
I hope this, and the attached link, helps. Best wishes.

Would I be a good candidate for a tummy tuck with muscle repair? (Photos)

Answers (13)

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