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

Thank you for your question.
In my opinion, I do not believe that liposuction alone will give you the results you desire based on your photos. Liposuction is great at removing unwanted fat from the abdomen; however, you will be left with excess abdominal skin. With an abdominoplasty, the excess skin and tissue from the umbilicus to the underwear line is removed creating a flatter contour.

Thank you for your question and pictures. i would recommend you a tummy tuck with liposuction for betters results. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for

Thank you for your question and photos!
A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of the abdominal muscle. The abdominal wall can be weakened after pregnancy and (or) significant weight gain & loss. By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well. The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset, which will accentuate your curves. Liposuction will remove excess fat from unwanted areas with some skin retraction. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals.
Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

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.)

Great question! Based on your photos, I would advise you'd be happiest with a tummy tuck and liposuction. Your abdomen can become flatter with solely liposuction. However, you will still have excess skin and the laxity won't be solved. I recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to receive a professional opinion in person.

You have a significant amount of saggy skin with a lot of stretch marks and also protruding appearance of your abdomen because your muscle is very loose, so you are a perfect candidate for a Tummy Tuck with muscle repair in order to achieve a beautiful flat abdomen and smaller waist and I would add some liposuction to waist and lower back to add some volume to your buttocks to complete the beautiful transformation.
Only liposuction will only cause more saggy skin and will still look protruding and wrinkly.
Be encouraged!!
Dr. Cárdenas

Liposuction alone helps to flatten the stomach but does not treat excess skin. Most patients are not happy with the amount of excess skin that would be left.

You'll need a tummy tuck for all the same reasons lipo (with or without skin tightening modalities) won't work: Lose, relatively excess skin, and loss of abdominal muscle wall integrity. Get the tummy tuck and you'll get an attractive belly. Be sure your doc does an ultra low incision with progressive tension sutures.

Dear aseg1128,
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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery