What is the best option for removal of abdominal fat? I am 58 years old, 5'3", 170 lbs

Question

I am 58 years 5’3 170 lbs pounds basically my fat is in my waist I’ve checked different websites and a few of the plastic surgeons mentioned that a tummy tuck isn’t advisable if you’re 50+ so wondering what procedure that doesn’t involve general anesthesia would be good or recommended for someone my age ?

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and that you for your question.
As long as your health is good I see no reason that you can not have a tummy tuck. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

if you have loose skin you will need skin removal. if not liposuction + internal heating will suffice.

my whole practice is doing lipoabdominoplasty, or at least liposuction with internal heating (which is not the gold standard for skin tightening with body contouring).

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Your best option and recommended solution is weight loss.

At 5 foot three and 175 pounds your BMI is 31 and by definition you are obese.

You didn’t include pictures so we really can’t make an assessment.

I don’t like doing liposuction on patients over the age of 50 because skin elasticity is lost and the results typically don’t look good. If the problem is subcutaneous fat Liposuction is an option if you’re OK with the skin not looking perfect.

Then again treating the primary problem is may be a better way to go.

Time to tighten up the beltline and cut out the foods that are causing the problem.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Abdominal fullness may be due to superficial soft tissue excess, lax stretched out abdominal muscles following pregnancy, or excess visceral (internal) fat, or a combination of same.  Superficial fat is addressed with liposuction, abdominal wall muscle tightening and excess skin removal is accomplished with abdominoplasty, and visceral fat is addressed with a regimen of diet and exercise. A physical examination is required to differentiate among these entities.

58 is just a number! Your general medical health is the most important factor in determining your candidacy for a cosmetic procedure under general anesthesia.

BMI (body mass index equals weight in kg / square of height in meters) is one criterion to determine the anticipated results of a cosmetic surgery. You can find BMI calculators on the internet. If your BMI is greater than 30, the cosmetic result will not be optimal. If your BMI is greater than 35, your operative risk will rise. In our practice we recommend a BMI of less than 30. Your BMI is 30.11, at the cusp of obtaining an optimal result.
We recommend that you be at a healthy comfortable stable body weight at the time of surgery. The cosmetic effect improves with lower BMIs. 
We recommend a regimen of diet and exercise to reach a safe and healthy body weight. 
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for in-person evaluation and discussion.
Best wishes...
A website won't provide necessary information. Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion.
Best wishes...

What is the best option for removal of abdominal fat? I am 58 years old, 5'3", 170 lbs

Answers (4)

Answer: Candidacy for liposuction or tummy tuck?

Answer: Candidacy for liposuction or tummy tuck?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Vaser Liposuction

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

What is the best option for removal of abdominal fat? I am 58 years old, 5'3", 170 lbs

Answers (4)

Answer: Candidacy for liposuction or tummy tuck?

Answer: Candidacy for liposuction or tummy tuck?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Vaser Liposuction

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