Will a person Need a Tummy Tuck After Liposuction?

The answer to this question depends on the amount of excessive and loose skin, the degree of skin elasticity (often age-dependent), and individual patient goals - such as removal of “stretch marks”. Generally, patients who are younger than 65 years old and have only mild to moderate lipodystrophy (excessive abdominal fat) will have excellent results from abdominal liposuction alone. This is especially true for younger patients who are interested in “liposculpting” of relatively minor regional excessive fat deposits. In these patients, the fat can be removed, and the abdominal wall can be sculpted so that the underlying muscles are visible (often producing a visible “6-pack”). The natural elasticity of the skin, combined with the inflammation from the procedure, will produce excellent skin retraction with a sculpted contour as a result. Radio frequency-assisted liposuction (i.e. Vaser) or laser-assisted liposuction (i.e. Smart Lipo) may be used to ensure optimal post-operative skin retraction.

Thank you for your question. This can depends if the patient after liposuction has loose skin. I would suggest to consult with board plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Just because you have liposuction doesn't mean you'll need a tummy tuck. Liposuction alone can take care of excess fat tissue, but loose skin and stretch marks must be addressed by one of three techniques: dermatolipectomy, mini-tummy tuck, or full tummy tuck. Your plastic surgeon will know which procedure, or combination of procedures, will give you the results you're after.

Laser assisted liposuction might tighten the skin a little.  However, if  the amount of excess skin significant, only excision will give you a good result.  Unfortunately there will be a scar across the lower abdomen. You'll have to decide if it's acceptable or not.

SmartLipo can shrink the skin better than traditional liposuction.  If your skin doesn't shrink sufficiently after liposuction then you can be left with "flabby skin" which is also not desirable.

If you have a consultation with a plastic surgeon that performs both tummy tucks and SmartLipo then he or she can give you a very credibel opinion on which would be better for you.

If you are a good candidate for liposuction, you should not need a tummy tuck afterwards.  Good candidates for liposuction only have excess fat.  The overlying skin should still have its elastic properties and the underlying muscle tone should be good.  A tummy tuck is necessary when there is excess skin that will not shrink to the new abdominal contour after liposuction.  Also, the abdominal muscles can be tightened with a tummy tuck.  Often, liposuction and a tummy tuck can be combined to give the best abdominal contour.

Almost all the patients undergoing liposuction should not require a tummy tuck afterwords.  It is imperative that your surgeon examine you properly to determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction, as need for a tummy tuck after a liposuction should never be a surprise.  Make sure you choose a well trained and experienced surgeon that can guide you to the proper surgical choice.

A tummy tuck procedure is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen.  Liposuction will remove subcutaneous fat and may reduce minor skin excess with tissue retraction.  You should not need a tummy tuck after liposuction surgery if you underwent the initial procedure with the correct indictations. 

After abdominal liposuction, the skin may not tighten a lot and the excess skin may need to be removed with a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck.  However, depending on the circumstance, the abdominal skin can really tighten nicely after liposuction without needing a tummy tuck.

If you have stretch marks, folks of loose skin and your abdominal tissues just look 'lax' - having liposuction will likely worsen these issues. You would be better off with a tummy tuck, which treats abdominal skin laxity, abdominal wall laxity and excess fat.