Excess skin and tummy tuck
You will find that the only way to rid yourself of the excess skin is to have a tummy tuck.
You need to be certain that your weight is stable. You obviously have lost some weight and if so, make sure that you are not going to gain the weight back. (John P. Stratis, MD, Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon)
You will definitely look better after a tummy tuck.
The problem is that you may want to have children in the future. You can have a normal pregnancy after a tummy tuck, but pregnancy will undo most of the improvement of a tummy tuck.
As long as you understand clearly that you will probably want another one after you are finished with babies, it is ok to have a tummy tuck now. It should give you a big improvement. (George J. Beraka, MD (retired), Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck for a 17-year-old with loose skin
From your appearance and the stretch marks you EITHER lost a lot of weight or had a pregnancy. Unfortunately the only real solution for this amount of loose skin is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty).
Although this procedure will flatten your tummy and improve your waist, the trade-off is a horizontal scar from hip to hip. Moreover, if you were to become pregnant in the future, the results may be lost and you MAY require the procedure again. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)
Looks like you have lost a considerable amount of weight. You should be congratulated – not easy to do. The bad news is that further weight loss will not improve your considerable skin laxity. The only answer is to remove all of that excess skin with an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). There is no definite minimal age.
Surgeons look at overall physical condition, degree of skin laxity, and maturity when deciding who and who not to operate on. If you’re healthy and have realistic expectations and are willing to accept a scar, looks like you might be a very good surgical candidate.
Your abdomen would look significantly better following a tummy tuck! (Elan B. Singer, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
It looks like you have a significant amount of loose skin but good muscle tone in the photo. The loose skin is unlikely to go away on its own, even with exercise and weight loss. A procedure to remove and tighten the loose skin on your abdomen like a tummy tuck will improve your appearance. Your weight should be stable and you should discuss this with your parents as well as your family doctor to make sure that you are emotionally and physically ready for cosmetic surgery. (Caroline Min, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
Anatomically it appears that you have had massive weight loss and your are to be congratulated. But many things go into a surgical procedure besides the actual surgery itself. You need (with your parents) to see a board certified plastic surgeon and he should consult with your family doctor or pediatrician and possibly a psychologist to address the circumstances surrounding your weight, weight loss and the psychological impact all of this has had on you.
If the decision is to proceed you should do well with an abdominoplasty or other body contouring procedure depending on what your woals and expectations are and other problems your massive weight loss have led to. (Theodore Katz, MD, FACS, Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon)
Your skin laxity is unlikely to improve on its own or with any non-inavasive techniques. Therefore I think a skin only abdominal dermolipectomy is likely the only method to provide you with significant improvement. In reality, you may need an extended abdominoplasty or even a circumfrerential body lift. Of course, maintaining a stable weight is very important. (Otto Joseph Placik, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck after weight loss
It looks like you had a massive weight loss leaving you with extra skin with stretch marks and lost elasticity. If your weight has been stable for months and if your parents and pediatrician feel it is reasonable, you might be a candidate for a tummy tuck. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Underage Plastic Surgery
Because you are a minor, you would need t fist discuss your concerns with your parents. Together you could seek the advice of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to determine which procedures would best address your concerns. You should keep in mind that plastic surgery is typically a trade off. Right now,you have loose skin, following surgery you will have a scar. Only you can determine which is acceptable. (Christine Sullivan, MD, Columbus Plastic Surgeon)
From the appearance of your abdomen in the photo, you definitely would benefit from a tummy tuck. The question is one of timing. If you plan on pregnancy in the future, you might wish to delay the tummy tuck. If you do undergo the procedure now and become pregnant in the future, you may need to have another procedure later. (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)