Am I in Need of a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck will give you some rather large scars, and little in the way of improvement. Losing 20 pounds will probably give you all the improvement you need.
I would be surprised if you need a tummy tuck once you lose the weight. If there is no loose or overhanging skin and if this is your maximum weight ever, it’s extremely unlikely that your skin won’t “snap back” with the weight reduction.
Also, there is certainly little chance that you have the kind of muscle laxity that will need a tummy tuck. While there are exceptions to every rule, lose the weight first and see what happens. If you have little spot areas of fat that won’t go away liposuction may be all you need to consider.
If the skin is really loose, the best bet is to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced at both procedures AFTER you lose all your weight. (Gregory J. Stagnone, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
Do I need a tummy tuck?
Tummy tucks are designed to remove excess skin and fat and to tighten the abdominal fascia (“muscle repair”). Most patients who would benefits of tummy tuck either have a history of massive weight loss or prior pregnancy. Without that history, it would be very unusual for someone to require a tummy tuck.
Since you stated that you are planning to lose the weight by diet and exercise, this is the wrong time to determine the procedure that you require. Once you achieve your goal weight, if you are not happy with the appearance of your abdomen, I would recommend consulting with several board-certified plastic surgeons, to determine which procedure would be best to help you achieve your goal. (Craig S. Rock, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
In need of tummy tuck?
If you are wondering whether losing a few pounds would benefit you, then it makes a lot of sense to lose the weight first by careful diet and exercise changes that are sustainable, then see if a tummy tuck would benefit you. Many women who have had children, especially several children or twins, or if they have had their children at a later age, could benefit from a tummy tuck to tighten the fascia.
Those women whose weight gain during pregnancy was minimal often qualify for a less invasive type of tummy tuck with shorter incisions. If you have never had children, or lost a great deal of weight, there is very little chance that a tummy tuck would benefit you at your very young age. (Brent Moelleken, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck for young person
Based on your age and your pictures, I would recommend weight loss and possible liposuction. I doubt you would benefit from a tummy tuck as you are too young and have not had children yet. (Kurtis Martin, MD, Cincinnati Plastic Surgeon)
Need for tummy tuck?
You are awfully young for a tummy tuck, and without having had kids, I doubt there is need for the muscle work that is usually done with that procedure. While it is difficult to say for sure looking at just the photos, I think the best advice would be to see where you get once you lose the 20 pounds; after that I bet (if anything) MAYBE liposuction – but something tells me that if you are successful at losing the weight, you won’t have this issue at all anymore. (Matthew Concannon, MD, Columbia Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck option
It’s impossible to assess the elasticity of your skin from a photo. If your skin doesn’t have a lot of stretch marks, then there’s a good chance you won’t need a tummy tuck. If you do need a tummy tuck, you may want to get a skin-only tuck without the muscle repair. If you get a muscle repair and then get pregnant, you may be at increased risk for miscarriage. (Victor Ferrari, MD, FACS, Charlotte Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction better
You would receive some benefit from a tummy tuck, but the scar would be very noticeable. Assuming that you can pinch a substantial amount of fat between your fingers, I think a tummy tuck would be a better alternative to a tummy tuck. Liposuction would be a safer, less invasive procedure and less costly. Liposuction on your entire belly and waist would give a better cosmetic result than a tummy tuck alone. (John J. Bandeian, MD, Bristol Plastic Surgeon)