Lipo vs tummy tuck
It really depends on your goals and expectations. I can say that there are multiple procedures that might serve your needs. And there are risks and benefits and different recoveries based on what you choose.
I would certainly obtain a consultation with one or more surgeons to give you a thorough examination and discussion regarding your goals. (Tito Vasquez, MD, FACS)
No liposuction can deal with the amount of looseness you have. Your skin has been stretched out so much as to cause the stretch marks, which are severe, and the little overhang you have, and even laser lipo will not fix that.
As Dr. Klink recommends, only a tummy tuck will help, usually with muscle plication. Liposuction will simply make your looseness worse. (Victor Au, MD, Chapel Hill Plastic Surgeon)
I do not see a great deal of fat that can be removed by liposuction (either laser or traditional). It seems that you have a tethered c-section scar and a spread of the muscles below the belly button. It seems to me that you are a better candidate for a tummy tuck – full or modified – depending on your exam. (Brian Klink, MD, Vacaville Plastic Surgeon)
You have done an amazing job and you have very little fat left. You basically have loose skin and separated muscles. The loose skin is definitely above the belly button as well as below. You are a great candidate for what is now being called the full tummy tuck. I would take all the skin out from above your belly button to 1″ below you pubic hair.
I would need a face to face physical exam to know whether you need a standard skin excision or an extended skin excision. The skin above your belly button will be stretched out, and therefore what little fat you have there would be halved. I would do no liposuction at this time. As a side note, there is no actual proof that laser liposuction tightens skin any more than traditional liposuction, and, in fact, when the plastic surgery community was surveyed about the various types of laser liposuction vs. traditional, only 4% of the plastic surgery community use other than traditional. When quizzed, the 4% who use laser, vaser, smart, slim, etc. lipo, stated the primary advantage of these high tech lipos was good marketing. (S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS, Honolulu Plastic Surgeon)
A tummy tuck would give you the best result. It will make your abdomen flatter and will have the benefit of removing the stretch marks. It is not possible to evaluate your abdominal muscles from the photos. When you become pregnant they become separated and your abdominal wall becomes lax.
Having a tummy tuck will allow the tightening of these muscles and give you a nice flat abdomen. From your other post you are considering a breast augmentation / lift and lipo suction of your anterior arm pits. This can all be done at one time and is commonly referred to as the mommy make over. (Jon M. Grazer, MD, MPH,FACS, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)
I believe that tummy tuck would be your best option. With this procedure your surgeon can address the excess skin and also repair your muscles if needed. (George John Alexander, MD, FACS, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)
Your photo shows a lot of stretch marks and a small lower skin fold. That tells me that your skin will not shrink very much at all. The ability for skin shrinkage is ultimately what determines the results of liposuction. Therefore I would recommend a tummy tuck. (Ronald Schuster, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)
Stretch marks and loose skin after pregnancy – tummy tuck usually better than lipo
Although laser-assisted liposuction such as smart lipo, slim lipo, and others claim to tighten skin they don’t do nearly enough to be an alternative to abdominoplasty. Liposuction alone when there is significant skin laxity and stretch marks will be likely to leave the skin uneven and maybe saggy. A plastic surgeon who does both tummy tucks and lipo will be able to give you advice based on examination to see what is best in your specific case. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
I do not believe that you need liposuction as much as a tummy tuck to correct loose skin and muscle weakness. The type of tummy tuck necessary can’t be evaluated without an in-person consultation. (Robert L. Kraft, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction may be a very good option for you, but the skin quality is hard to assess. Find a surgeon who does both procedures well hundreds of times each year and let the surgeon help you make this determination. (Kenneth B. Hughes, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
Lipo or tummy tick
I think with your skin and the location of the fat, I would likely suggest the liposuction. I think the need for skin removal in your case does not exist, making the tummy tuck unnecessary and although the pictures is a little dark, I see no significant stretch marks, leading me to believe that your skin should shrink well after liposuction alone. (Julio Garcia, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)
From your picture it appears that you have good skin quality and a minimal to moderate amount of excess fat. This makes you a good candidate for liposuction. I have also seen good results for patients with similar bodies with Coolsculpting. This is something else you may want to research before making a decision. The best thing to do is to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who offers all of the options you are interested in. That way they can examine you and make appropriate recommendations to help you reach your goals. (Sanjiv Kayastha, MD, Albany Plastic Surgeon)
You appear to be a good candidate for liposuction, but the most optimal cosmetic result for you would depend on an examination and your desired outcome. Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do based on alimited photo and without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest.
I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) or the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (CSAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person. (Robert Singer, MD, La Jolla Plastic Surgeon)
From this one picture, I would say you are an excellent candidate for liposuction and would recommend Ultrasonic Liposuction over any other type. It provides some skin tightening (varies patient to patient) which always is a nice plus. I do not think Coolsculpting would do much for you. I use the Vaser Ultrasonic System and obtain excellent results. (Robert J. Spies, MD, Paradise Valley Plastic Surgeon)
For your picture it looks like you will have adequate improvement with liposuction alone. Most often, tummy tuck is reserved for patients that have skin excess and laxity after pregnancy and/or weight loss.
Additionally, a widening of the rectus muscles (rectus diastasis) can be repaired with tummy tuck but is not altered with liposuction alone. I would suggest scheduling a consultation with a board certified/eligible plastic surgeon who has experience with body contouring surgery to give you a specific recommendation based on a full examination. (Megan Jack, MD, Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon)
Liposuction is a great way to get rid of the areas of excess fat of the abdomen that exercise won’t touch!Your photo is a little dark, so it’s hard to make out your exact anatomy, but it does appear that you are quite fit, and likely liposuction would be a great option for you. Recovery is fairly quick and discomfort afterwards isn’t too bad either. Liposuction of the abdomen is usually not a great option in patients who have a lot of redundant skin. In these cases, a tummy tuck is a nice option. Definitely meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to find out more! (Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)