Would liposuction improve my abs and get rid of the "sad" belly button? (Photo)

It sounds like your desire is for a "taut" abdominal wall and a more aesthetic umbilicus (belly button).From photos, you appear to be in very good shape, and thus beneath skin have well developed and "taut" muscle and connective tissue (your "core").  To permit abdominal wall motion in every direction that spinal column allows (360 degrees), your abdominal skin envelope is naturally somewhat flexible.  If you believe there's too much loose skin and want the tight abdominal wall appearance you deserve based on your underlying fitness, the best (most reliable) way is some sort of modified abdominoplasty, like cases 88, 82, and some others in our gallery.  Such a procedure wouldn't interfere with future pregnancy, but if you plan to have children, could consider putting it off until afterward.  Liposuction alone, I believe, may worsen the situation by deflating and further loosening your abdominal skin, potentially resulting in surface contour irregularities and/or frank wrinkles with or without sagging.A study of umbilical aesthetics showed that a vertical or "T" shaped belly button was most attractive to most people, so if that's what you want, it could be incorporated into the modified abdominoplasty procedure.

This will depend on skin laxity, but you appear to be a candidate for liposuction. For best results, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result and improvement to the belly button. This can be combined with a tummy tuck at the same time, if you're a candidate. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Dear Lipo_or_not,it is really hard to tell without an examination. If you have excess fat then you might be a candidate for a liposuction. An examination would be required to determine if the problem is in extra skin or fat tissue. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

If loose skin is your concern, then liposuction will generally only make that looseness worse.  You should consider Scarless Skin Tightening with the InMode BodyTite procedure.  It really works nicely and may be just the right procedure to help your situation.

Thank you for your photo. A tummy tuck results in a low scar across your lower abdomen and will help flatten out the area both above and below your belly button. Your belly button can be placed in the same area and will have a small incision around the inside rim. You may have a small vertical scar at your lower abdomen if you don't have enough skin to pull down. This procedure would have the most effective of removing the "sad frown" that you don't like. To avoid scarring, liposuction can help remove the fat but does not remove skin. If you have good skin elasticity, your skin may tighten up on its own enough once the fat is removed to alleviate the "frown." It is best to have an in-office examination so that the best treatment plan can be determined and explained to you for the safest and best results. Hope this helps!
 Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery
 

Thanks for sharing your photos.Loose skin around the belly button is often very hard to contour with liposuction alone.  In my practice we have seen some nice results with cool sculpting and additional skin tightening treatments in the office.  Ultimately, the most dramatic changes are realized with surgical excisional procedures.  Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to get an in person evaluation and an appropriate plan.

Hi and thanks for your questions. I would recommend a personal consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. During your visit the plastic surgeon will perform an exam and provide the best options to improve the appearance of your abdomen. Your photos demonstrate mild laxity of the belly button and very localized fat of the central abdomen. Non invasive technology versus liposuction may help you achieve the results you desire. Please see the web reference below for some examples of results we typically obtain with coolsculpting, a non invasive and FDA approved treatment for localized fat removal. We have also observed some skin tightening in selected cases. That's my advice after decades performing aesthetic plastic surgery. Good luck!
Richard Chaffoo,MD,FACS,FICS
Triple Board Certified Plastic Surgeon