Can you advise on hanging belly consultation/recommendations? (Photos)

Based on your photos, you look like an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck, muscle repair and liposuction 360. During your consultation, your surgeon should do a full assessment on the areas. I would recommend scheduling a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question and photos! You appear to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck with lipo 360. 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 examine the areas you would like addressed and go over the options that best fit your goals.
Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your abdomen in regards to excess skin and fat of your central and lateral abdomen. My opinion would be to try to lose as much weight as you possibly can. If you cannot lose any more weight and your weight has plateaued then I would suggest a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. During the abdominoplasty, the rectus abdominus or six-pack muscles are repaired and the mons is lifted and reduced. Typically, all of the skin and fat from your c-section scar to above the belly button would be removed from hip to hip. I would suggest an extended tummy tuck to go past your hips to take care of the love handles and excess skin and fat. At the conclusion of the procedure, I would also suggest lipo over the love handle region to remove even more fat. In conclusion, I would suggest a horizontal tummy tuck, muscle repair, pubic lift and reduction, and liposuction. I hope this helps to answer your question regarding what to do with your abdomen.


I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss. 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.)

The combination you were quoted is very common. It is unusual that the surgeon did not do any sort of exam to confirm that was the right procedure for you. I would proceed cautiously with a surgeon that is not compelled to examine their patient.

I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight. At the same time or later, you can undergo liposuction. You will most likely need a circumferential lift with posterior extension in the future.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear dannie526,
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

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. I would agree with her assessment but would counsel you to be at your goal and stable weight with a BMI of around 30 to minimize surgical risks and maximize outcomes.

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a good candidate for either procedure but your overall health and BMI should be taken into consideration. My recommendation would be to consider a two stage procedure with liposuction done first and then tummy tuck several months later. I hope this helps.

A typical consultation should include a review of your medical history, an exam of the area to be addressed as well as information about the procedure. A chance to ask questions and a quote are also part of this visit. It is recommended when considering elective plastic surgery that the patient has a BMI of 30 or less to keep the risk of complications from increasing. When you are ready it appears you would benefit from a full tummy tuck with liposuction for contouring.

Thank you for your question.

What you experienced is bad medicine. I would find a different surgeon.

Having said that, your result would be much better after weight loss. Maybe consider a gastric balloon which is relatively minor procedure that can help.