Would Tummy Tuck or Laser Skin Tightening be best for me?
The devices marketed to improve skin tightness and the appearance of laxity, such as Thermage, have, in the estimation of most reputable physicians, been a disappointment.
I have not seen results in my experience, or in that of others, that would allow me to recommend it to you responsibly.
I would keep exercising, get as much improvement as you can on your own, and if you still have concerns, see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon about a Tummy Tuck. (Armando Soto, MD, FACS)
Full Tummy Tuck best option for post pregnancy skin tightening
Full tummy tuck is your best option to correct the issue you describe. Laser skin therapies are limited at best. Laser Liposuction or tummy tuck laser can slightly improve these issues. Regards. (Darryl J. Blinski, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction versus Abdominoplasty
Based on your description and your picture, you look like you would benefit most from a full abdominoplasty. Laser liposuction and tummy tuck laser will remove the fat and tighten your skin somewhat.
However, nothing except a tummy tuck will remove your stretch marks or contour your abdominal muscles as well. (David Shafer, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck versus laser skin tightening
I have not seen any really good long lasting results with laser skin tightening – some folks feel Thermage may work for this, but in my experience the results have been very minimal. In your case, I think if you want the best contour and shape of your belly and you are willing to have an incision for this, a tummy tuck will not only remove the excess skin but it will also tighten the underlying muscles that have been stretched from the pregnancies – this is something that topical treatments like lasers cannot do anything about.
The downside, of course, is an incision, an operation, and a few weeks of recovery, but the upside is an excellent long-lasting result. If you’re not ready to have surgery at the moment, then working out regularly, perhaps even hiring a personal trainer, certainly can’t hurt and may get you closer to the results you want. (Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Exercise or lasers won’t tighten abdomen skin
Unfortunately it is an urban myth that you can exercise and get skin on top of the muscle to tighten. The muscle and the skin do not communicate in any way. The fact that you have significant amount of stretch marks on your skin is an indication that the skin has lost all of it’s elasticity.
That is why when you sit down the skin does not tighten up anymore, it just is loose. In order to get rid of that damaged skin a tummy tuck is really the way to go. You should see a great improvement from that procedure. (Robert B. Pollack, MD, La Jolla Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy Tuck vs Laser
I agree that there is no significant skin tightening in the abdomen with laser. In order to deal with a moderate to severe amount of excess skin, it must be removed.
The other consideration is that you appear to have some degree of muscle laxity; this also can be addressed only with a tummy tuck. The scars (which usually do well with time) are a necessary evil. (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck lasers don’t tighten the abdomen after kids
Either continue to exercise and see how far you can get or do the tummy tuck. That is the only way to get rid of the laxity of the skin. Lasers have no benefit in this realm. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)