Vaser Lipo or Tummy Tuck or Other?

Question

I am 37 and have had an appendectomy and two c-sections. I am close to my ideal body weight (5'7", 145 pounds) and exercise daily but have been unable to get rid of my large stomach. My appendix scar is large (done 20 years ago) and I have access skin as I was rather big with both pregnancies. I like the results of a tummy tuck but am a busy working mother of three and am concerned about the length of recovery time. I am debating between vaser lipo or tummy tuck but am open to other procedures.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.

	Vaser liposuction and liposuction in general will not remove the excess skin and can make your skin problem look worse.  If you have extra tissue and extra skin, I recommend you get a tummy tuck when it fits into your busy schedule.

	See two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for an evaluation. Good luck.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Based on the description of your  pregnancy history and physical examination,  I think you will do much better with tummy tuck surgery. As a matter of fact, it is very likely that you will be disappointed with the results of liposuction surgery;  often when patients have liposuction surgery when tummy tuck surgery is indicated the aesthetic appearance is worse than where they started.

	The tummy tuck operation will serve to remove a significant amount (but not necessarily all)  of stretch marks present,  remove significant skin and subcutaneous tissue, and &ldquo;tighten up&rdquo; abdominal wall muscles that have likely spread with weight gain/loss.

	Although I understand your concerns about the &ldquo;length of recovery time&rdquo;,  I encourage you to consider doing the right operation (at the right time)  as opposed to an operation that will leave you dissatisfied/disappointed.

	I would also suggest in person consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.

	Best wishes.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

When deciding between liposuction and a tummy tuck, the key question is:  do you have excess skin?  If you do, a liposuction procedure is unlikely to give you optimal results.  Despite all the hype and claims by lipo machine manufacturers, liposuction does not create skin tightening to address excessive skin and therefore is not a replacement for a tummy tuck.

	A picture of your abdomen would be great.

	Sincerely,

	Martin Jugenburg, MD, FRCSC (Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute)

Adam Tattelbaum, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.
	You'll really have to be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon to see which procedure would be best for you.  If you have loose skin you'll be better off with a tummy tuck.  If you have good skin ielasticity liposuction may be an option. While Vaser makes claims to tighten skin, its ability to skintight and is quite limited particularly postpartum patient.
	In my own practice most patients who've had multiple pregnancies will do best with the tummy tuck.
	If you're concerned about the length of recovery you may consider a tummy tuck, but without muscle tightening.  In a non muscle tightening tummy tuck the same amount of skin is removed, the abdominal wall is just not as flat.  It's the muscle tightening that causes discomfort after surgery so patients who undergo tummy tuck without tightening the muscles often have an easier and quicker recovery.
	You may wish to ask your plastic surgeon about this option.
	Best of luck to you.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

When there is loose skin following pregnancies no version of liposuction will be a reasonable substitute. Although VASER and laser-assited liposuction (for example "smart lipo") will tighten the skin a little bit, they don't come anywhere close to what a tummy tuck does. Best to wait until the timing is right and have the procedure that will do the most good.

Vaser Lipo or Tummy Tuck or Other?

Answers (9)

Answer: Liposuction cannot replace a tummy tuck when there is significant excess skin.

Answer: Liposuction cannot replace a tummy tuck when there is significant excess skin.

Answer: Tummy Tuck or Liposuction Candidate?

Answer: Tummy Tuck or Liposuction Candidate?

Answer: Liposuction does not remove excess skin, while a tummy tuck does

Answer: Liposuction does not remove excess skin, while a tummy tuck does

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Answer: Vaser liposuction or tummy tuck?

Answer: Vaser liposuction or tummy tuck?

Answer: VASER lipo is not an alternative to a tummy tuck

Answer: VASER lipo is not an alternative to a tummy tuck

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Vaser Lipo or Tummy Tuck or Other?

Answers (9)

Answer: Liposuction cannot replace a tummy tuck when there is significant excess skin.

Answer: Liposuction cannot replace a tummy tuck when there is significant excess skin.

Answer: Tummy Tuck or Liposuction Candidate?

Answer: Tummy Tuck or Liposuction Candidate?

Answer: Liposuction does not remove excess skin, while a tummy tuck does

Answer: Liposuction does not remove excess skin, while a tummy tuck does

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Answer: Vaser liposuction or tummy tuck?

Answer: Vaser liposuction or tummy tuck?

Answer: VASER lipo is not an alternative to a tummy tuck

Answer: VASER lipo is not an alternative to a tummy tuck

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.