Tummy tuck or lipo? (photo)

Question

Hi, I am wanting to fix my tummy (amongst other things), and am thinking about a tummy tuck. After the birth of my second child I was told I had a very wide separation which may require surgery to repair, plus I have a pouch of fat that's not shifting. One doctor has recommended a tummy tuck, and one has recommended lipo. Both recommendations have come from photos only so far, as I live in a very remote part of Australia. What would you recommend based on the pictures?

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Far more important than deciding if TT is for you is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let him explain why one technique may be better than another and if you need a tummy tuck. Many board certified plastic surgeons provide a free first time consult and you should take advantage of that! See the below link on some suggestions on finding the most qualified Plastic Surgeon for you!

Howard Webster, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

Hi there,It's just not possible to tell from the picture you've posted. More views are needed, and even then sometimes a personal examination is needed before clear advice can be given, because of examining the condition of the rectus muscles and whether you have a substantial diastasis which requires repair.All the best.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck would be a better option to address the abdominal wall laxity.Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds  
of tummy tuck procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's 
 website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can  
deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Guido P. Gutter, MD · Answer

As everyone already mentioned it is very tough to tell from one picture and not being able to examine you. On the other hand pregnancies leave separation of muscles and excess of skin except in a very few lucky females. Therefore likely you will need an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). Very often a Liposuction is a part of your Tummy tuck. To be able improve your appearance with Liposuction alone would be the exception and not the rule. See a Plastic Surgeon and I would imagine he can improve your appearance dramatically.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

I am only seeing a single photo, showing part of the abdomen on a side view. This is not enough to make a recommendation between the alternatives. From the question, I am inclined to think that a TT is the better option. The diastasis can be repaired during a TT. This cannot be done with liposuction, and much of the bulge is likely to be caused by the diastasis.If you look to the right of the screen you will (probably) see properly posed before and after photos. A front and side view at least would be needed to offer useful advice.Thanks for your question. All the best.

Sameer Karkhanis, MS, DNB · Answer

Its difficult to comment solely from the picture you have posted. However, judging from the description of the problem, you would need a tummy tuck to address the divarication of the recti.Lipo would help in addressing the fat deposits in the flanks, and around the abdomen to achieve an aesthetic contouring of the truncal region.All the best for your surgery.

Beth Collins, MD · Answer

Difficult to tell from these pictures. I would need to examine you to see if the reason your belly sticks out is because you have a loose abdominal wall (in which case a tummy tuck is the best answer) or if you have lots of fat to pinch. If you suck in your stomach and can pinch a handful of fat, liposuction may be an option, but it doesn't look like you have that much excess fat on your belly. It looks more like you need to have those muscles surgically tightened.

Mark Edinburg, MBBCH, FRACS (retired) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your email.I would definitely recommend a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon. From the information supplied, it would seem to me that you will need a Tummy Tuck. However, making decisions without the skill and expertise of a Plastic Surgeon, is, in my opinion, an unreliable decision. Sit in front of your Plastic Surgeon, discuss with him, and let him make an appropriate assessment. Then you can make decisions based on reliable information.I wish you well in your journey.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo. A personal exam and
consultation is always best.That said it is difficult to give you a definitive answer based on one photo.  I recommend consulting with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon who can determine the best procedure to meet your expectations.  I have had great results combining both a tummy tuck and laser lipo procedures.Please read the link below which shows the before and after photos of patients having both procedures. Be sure to consult a plastic surgeon who is certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery, experienced in your procedure, and who has
an excellent reputation in your community.

Tummy tuck or lipo? (photo)

Answers (9)

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