Skinny and Don't Have Much Skin- Do I Really Need a Tummy Tuck?

Question

One doctor says yes (one I paid a deposit to and scheduled the procedure a week from now) another doctor I saw today said I don't have enough skin to pull telling me basically that I would be wasting my money that liposuction for my little bulge would be better followed by laser for the stretch marks. Who should I believe? I don't want to get a tummy tuck to still have a bunch of stretch marks. I recently lost a few pounds also unintentionally. I need help please look at my pic.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

You would, in my opinion, be best served by a hybrid tuymmy tuck.

	This involves a small removal very low on the abdomen, liposuction as needed, and full tightening of the deep layer well above the umbilicus.

	A full tummy tuck will give you a large, high scar. 

	A mini tummy tuck will not tighten the fascia above the umbilicus.

Edward J. Bednar, MD · Answer

From the photo it doesn't look like you need a TT-I don;t see much loose and lax skin-I think lipo would do give you a very nice contour.

David L. Abramson, MD · Answer

Without and examination it is really hard to say. You could be a candidate for a miniabdominoplasty or a full avominoplasty and my have a small vertical scar in the midline. It can depend on your umbilical positioning as well.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

From a single photograph alone, it is difficult to evaluate exactly the condition of your skin from the umbilicus down to the pubis. Side photographs and a photo of you bending over would be more helpful. However, it does not appear that you have much loose skin so either procedure is going to be beneficial. Liposuction alone will make for a flatter result and a mini-tummy tuck will make for one that is a bit flatter. The decision really comes down to your thoughts on having a low limited tummy tuck scar. Even with the scar you will not be able to get rid of many of your stretch marks. That would require more of a full tummy tuck which would leave an unacceptably high location of the final scar.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

To give an exact opinion over the internet very hard even with a very good posted photo. Based upon your written info and posted photo I recommend a extended slightly mini TT + Smart Lipo Triplex of the upper abdomen and waist. e/mail me your contact so I can forward you a recent comparable result photos, if you like.

Gordon Lewis, MD · Answer

I think you need to address you goals.  Without examining the quality of your skin, it is hard to judge how much elasticity your skin has.  After liposuction, if the skin is not elastic and does not stretch back into shape, you can end up with too much skin.   Although your pictures do not suggest that you currently have a skin excess, that can be difficult to asses in pictures, especially without panties. 

	If your goal is removal of the stretch marks, you need a procedure to removed skin.  Laser can fade the color difference in the stretch marks, but will not fix the underlying problem of the loss of dermis beneath the stretch mark.  The texture will remain unchanged.

	A tummy tuck can do a good job of removing stretch marks below the belly button.  It will not address the ones above, but those will move lower on the abdomen. I am not sure that with a regular tummy tuck it would be possible to fully remove the belly button opening.  you may have a small vertical incision at the bottom of you belly.

	Good Luck!

Todd B. Koch, MD · Answer

Thanks for the photos. The final answer is both will give you a nice result. It depends on your goals. Liposuction will remove the excess fat but combined with a lower abdominoplasty or mini-abdominoplasty you will get a flatter tighter appearance. This choice is yours.

Victor Au, MD (retired) · Answer

The issue I see with liposuction alone for your lower abdomen is that there is bulging which I think liposuction will not solve, and the stretch marks means there will be some looseness and dimpling. The smallest procedure I wold consider for you is a mini-tuck with abdominal muscle tightening.

	I cannot see all of your upper abdomen, and of course the feel of your tissues is important, but generally a full tummy tuck will give a better result than a mini-tuck in most situations. You will be really tight at first. I did a tummy tuck last month on a lady with what seemed like not much upper skin. I sit the patient up to 50 degrees to get her wound closed and remove the old belly button site. She called after 2 weeks and asked when she would be able to stand straight, and I was happy (relieved) to see her standing straight at the 1 month visit.

Skinny and Don't Have Much Skin- Do I Really Need a Tummy Tuck?

Answers (8)

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