Will liposuction of the abdomen and flanks help me look better? Rough estimate cost?

Thank you for your question. Based on your pictures, I do not believe that liposuction alone will give you the results you are looking for. Because you do appear to have skin laxity in the stomach, liposuction will potentially increase the amount of extra skin once there is less fat. In order to remove and tighten the skin, as well as the abdominal wall, the only solution is a tummy tuck. If you were to have only the liposuction, it is likely that the amount of excess skin would actually increase, as there would be less fat to fill it out. When your skin is stretched by multiple variables (such as pregnancy, weight gain, and getting older), it can be like a rubber band. Once it has been stretched to a certain degree, it cannot go back to its original size. Similarly, our skin is unable to tighten on its own once there is a certain degree of skin laxity. A tummy tuck combined with liposuction will remove the extra skin that you notice hanging over and give you a better result.I hope this helps.Nick Slenkovich, MD, FACS

Because your stomach hangs, liposuction will not tighten this up. Your skin will remain saggy and “hanging over”. Therefore a tummy tuck, or body lift, are more suitable options for you as they both tighten up loose skin.

liposuction would help however tummy tuck is also needed if you would like to have better results.  The cost is $2500 for the lipo and $5000 for the tummy tuck

Thank you for your question and photos. If you do only liposuction you will not get great results as it will leave you with a good quantity of loose skin hanging on your tummy. You´re a good candidate for a full tummy tuck which will remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and restore the weakened abdominal wall, giving a firmer and smoother appearance. We nearly always add liposuction to our tummy tucks to sculpt the body 360 degrees to achieve an ideal feminine figure. Tummy tuck is a very powerful technique in the right hands, and can have dramatic results if done correctly. You definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety. Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

I do not think liposuction will give you the results you are looking for because it will not remove the loose, hanging skin and may, in fact, worsen it. A tummy tuck is the procedure that will correct your issues.  To lessen potential risks, I would recommend continuing to lose as much weight as you can before proceeding. At a lower weight, you will obtain a better result with fewer potential risks.  Surgery will also be less costly because it will take less time. Keep up the good work with diet and exercise and then see a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation when you are ready.

Thank you for your question and photos. You appear to be an excellent candidate for a full tummy tuck. The skin excision and muscle tightening could give you an excellent contour as well as improve the tone of the anterior abdominal wall. Liposuction could be used to better define your flanks and hips at the time of tummy tuck surgery. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon for an in-person examination to discuss the specific details of the procedures. Ask to see before and after photos to get an idea of what can be achieved. Hope this helps!

Looking at your photos, you need a combination of liposuction and tummy tuck for optimal outcome. Liposuction on it's own will only leave you with more empty overhanging skin...!

I appreciate your question.

From your photos, you need a tummy tuck for the best aesthetic result.  Also, it is Best to be at a BMI less than 30 or within 10 pounds of your goal weight and stable at that weight for 6 months prior to surgery for optimal results.

The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Director-Beverly
Hills Breast and Body Institute

#RealSelf100Surgeon

Hello dear, thanks for your question and provided
information as well.. This is the surgical
procedure that revolutionized cosmetic surgery becoming one of the most
performed cosmetic procedures. Subcutaneous tissue or fat is removed in order
to contour the body in a way that is harmonious and pleasing to the senses. It
can be performed in almost all regions of the body such as the neck, chin,
abdomen, back, buttocks, thighs, arms and ankles. Usually done through a small
incision in the skin through which a cannula connected to a vacuum is applied,
it can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures. After
liposuction your body is going to be really swollen for at least 2 to 4 months
after your surgery. It is important for you to wear your compression garment
for at least 6 months, the first 3 months 24/7 and then the last 3 months at
least 12 hours per day for your body get use to not having the faja for so many
time. When you remove it, your body can get swollen and also you can have pain.
Remember to also compress your body to prevent a seroma which is an
accumulation of liquid that has to be drained, it is hard to touch and also
really painful. Bruises are completely normal for almost 3 months from surgery,
that’s why is better for you to use a bruising cream and apply it all over your
body 3 times a day. To prevent bad circulation and swollen legs, use
compression socks. Brazilian butt lift can be performed with the same procedure
and for a month it will be swollen and it will drop a little bit without losing
it’s shape if you use your garment.. If you’re going to perform liposuction on
your inner, outer, anterior, lateral, postetior thighs, be careful and consult
with your surgeon what’s best for you, sometimes we have more extra skin than
fat, that can cause severe sagginess on our legs, which can be only be reversed
performing a thigh lift. Hugs!

Thank you for posting your photos with you interesting question. Congratulations on your weight loss after pregnancy. First of all, you have to determine if you are planning on having an more children, because this will affect your surgical results. Secondly, you and your husband have to discuss what are your abdominal contour goals and expectations. A tummy tuck will give you the optimal outcome. Liposuction alone will improve your flanks and waist, but will leave you with hanging skin which is not acceptable for most 39 year old women. An alternative procedure is to liposuction the abdomen and flanks and remove the excess lower abdominal skin at the same time. This will not tighten your abdominal muscles, but will shorten the operative time and remove the hanging lower abdominal skin.     I recommend that you choose the procedure based on your realistic goals rather than selecting a procedure and hoping that it will achieve the results you desire. Both you and your husband can discuss this at the time of your consultation with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. It is important that your husband attend the consultations with you. At the time of your consultation, you can discuss your goals and expectations, have a detailed history and physical examination, see many of the plastic surgeon's before an after body contour photos and have all of your questions answered. The Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will discuss the procedures, alternatives and risks associated with the procedures. Only when you are completely comfortable with the procedure and the surgeon should you proceed. Best wishes, Dr. Richard Swift