Tired of loose skin - Would an extended Tummy Tuck be enough? (photos)

Thank you for your question regarding what to do about your abdomen and the excess skin around your central abdomen. In my opinion, you would do best with an extended horizontal tummy tuck. However, you did mention that you are concerned about the excess skin and fat of your back, especially when you sit down. If you are concerned about your love handles and back, you will need to convert the extended tummy tuck into a 360 circumferential lower body lift. Therefore, if your buttock bothers you, go all the way around with a lower body lift. If you can live with your buttocks then proceed with an extended tummy tuck. In my opinion, you do not need an inverted T or fleur de lis tummy tuck. I do not think you need the vertical component to your tummy tuck. Thank you for your question regarding what to do about your loose abdominal skin.

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.)

Thank you for your question and pictures. I would recommend you a tummy tuck with liposuction for betters results. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for

Thank you for your question and photos! You would be a good candidate for extended tummy tuck with liposuction. 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 go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Congratulations on your weight loss. An extended abdominoplasty would address the excess vertical skin of your abdomen, but it starts to lose power on the sides as you taper down the amount of excised skin. To help address the loose lateral thigh skin and posterior lower back/buttock area skin, a circumferential abdominoplasty would be an option as well. To help address the horizontal skin laxity, a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty could be considered as well - this would add a vertical scar up the midline of your abdomen, so it is a trade-off to be sure.

The total weight of skin removed tends to be less that one would guess - maybe more like 7-8 pounds ballpark as opposed to the 15 pounds you were wanting. In general, body contouring procedures are not substantial sources for weight loss.

I am not sure an extended tummy tuck will adequately address your skin excess. You may benefit from a fleur de lis type which takes skin in both a vertical and horizontal dimension.