Can I achieve a flat stomach without a tummy tuck? (photos)

You appear to have stretch marks which may indicate that your skin is affected by elasticity issues. For this reason, a tummy tuck would probably be more suitable. Liposuction alone may leave you with looser skin.

Thank you for your question regarding whether you can achieve a flat tummy without a tummy tuck and just having liposuction alone. First, let's examine your pictures. You have excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen. You have stretch marks. In my opinion, patients with this type of abdomen in the presence of stretch marks tell us about the quality of the skin. Due to your stretch marks and the appearance of the skin in your photographs, I do not believe you will bounce back with whatever technology is used. Even if a VASER liposuction cannula is used, I do not think the skin will bounce back in your case. Therefore, specifically, I would suggest you undergo a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. This would not only remove abdominal skin and stretch marks but it will also remove excess skin. During liposuction, only fat is removed. During liposuction, skin is not removed and stretch marks do not change. In my opinion, liposuction will only make your abdomen worse because you will have more obvious draping skin. Therefore, I would suggest a tummy tuck placed in the lower abdomen. There are different types of tummy tucks. However, I would suggest your tummy tuck include a low incision dissection up to the bottom of the ribcage. I would also suggest muscle plication, reestablishment of your umbilicus, and pubic fat reduction. The final tummy tuck will eliminate excess pubic fat from the pubic region to above the belly button. The scar should be well hidden under reasonable clothing. Your tummy tuck should take 3-4 hours under general anesthesia. Plan on a 2-3 week recovery. I hope this helps to answer your question about whether you should undergo a tummy tuck or liposuction.

If you have any more questions regarding a tummy tuck, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 tummy tuck or circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, tummy tuck or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)