There are very few women who do not have changes in their abdominal wall, or tummy, after child bearing. In some women, like yourself, there is just some loose skin.
In many women there is also separation of some of the abdominal muscles. And, in others, there can be some increase in the fat layer under the skin. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty can correct any or all of these.
What the abdominoplasty is doing is correcting those problems with your tummy that you can not change with diet and exercise. And the results generally range from good to fantastic.
One of the newer techniques, the tummy tuck and lipo provides superb results that can not be achieved with the traditional abdominoplasty. And, it is a lower risk operation.
Not all women need a full tummy tuck. In people with loose skin in the lower abdomen only, a mini- or modified abdominplasty is possible. The recovery from this can be a bit shorter.
Tummy tuck alternative laser has not really been applied to other areas of the body outside of the face. It is neither practical nor effective on the torso.
So, if you want to get your pre-pregnancy tummy back, there is no substitute for a tummy tuck. (David B. Reath, MD, Knoxville Plastic Surgeon)
After three children by C-section you probably have enough going on to benefit by a tummy tuck. The question is, do you want one? It offers tighter results but the scar and the extent of surgery and recovery can put some ladies back.
Tummy tuck alternative laser in the abdomen has never really impressed me. I would look at it as experimental. Just don’t expect it to do much and you won’t be disappointed. (John P. Di Saia, MD, Orange Plastic Surgeon)
We have seen really good results with Thermage in the stomach area. Thermage is a non-invasive one time treatment that is very safe. There is no anesthesia, no recovery, and no scars. We have gotten improvement in everybody, but the improvement can range from the dramatic to the pretty subtle.
If you only have a moderate amount of skin, it is worth trying. For a lot of skin, you will do best with a tummy tuck.
I don’t believe that “tummy tuck alternative laser” works. (George J. Beraka, MD (retired), Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
After pregnancy the skin becomes loose and the Collagen and elastin fiber are altered. After 3 c-section and wanting to tighten your skin especially when you bend over, laser treatment is like flushing your money down the toilet. You will not be happy.
You already have a c-section scar. If you extend the scar you could achieve a beautiful result that will last.
A partial tummy tuck is possible another choice, but your plastic surgeon will have to tell you if you are a candidate. (Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck alternative laser is grossly overrated. I have been doing it for a couple of years and I am very underwhelmed. I doubt skin can be shrunk significantly by any technology. Therefore, when it is truly in excess, excision is the only way to solve the problem. This, of course, results in a scar. Patients have to decide which is preferable.
What you describe is going to require a tummy tuck to resolve. No laser will remove your loose skin or stretch marks–only a tummy tuck can do that.(Carmen Kavali, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Do not waste your money. Tummy tuck alternative laser does little but line the pockets of your doctor and the laser company.
If you are not a candidate for a tummy tuck, perhaps a mini-tuck is right for you. See a well-trained plastic surgeon for a better opinion. (Robert M. Freund, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
It sounds like you’re in good shape, but with the excess skin, some skin resection would probably be recommended. Also, the condition of the underlying musculature needs to be assessed to tailor the operative procedure to your needs. Smart Lipo will only tighten your skin if there is minimal excess. (Alexander M. Guba, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)
First, it is of course not possible to make a recommendation without seeing you and assessing the condition of your skin.
Most of the time in a situation like yours a mini or full abdominoplasty is best, especially since you already have the C-section scars. Thermage can also be effective there, but it doesn’t work as well when the skin is thin with stretch marks. The same applies for laser. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
You are thin and exercise, which puts you ahead of the pack for an abdominal procedure. Most women have excessive skin in the lower abdomen and the upper abdomen is tight. Tummy tuck alternative laser is effective for small areas or fine wrinkling. A mini-tummy tuck would remove your old C-section scar and put a new scar below that area. It would tighten the skin without a visible belly button scar.
It is done as an outpatient procedure, and the recovery is significantly shorter than a full tummy tuck. Find a qualified Plastic Surgeon in your area for a consultation and make sure they are comfortable with a Mini. (David A. Dreyfuss, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
Resurfacing procedures (Laser, chemical peels, dermabrasion) all rely on the body’s ability to heal a superficial “burn”. These procedures work very well on the face, due to the excellent blood supply, but cannot be pushed to the same level elsewhere on the body. If they were done to the same extent, unsightly scarring would result.
As such, any physician doing resurfacing off the face will be less aggressive, and the results will not satisfy you (ie: that excess hanging skin you see when bending over will still be there.) Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who does both abdominoplasty surgery and is experienced with resurfacing procedures and hear what they have to say.
If you already have a c-section scar, you already have half of a full tummy tuck scar, and you might know that it takes over a year to fade. If you go for the tummy tuck, you will have a very flat stomach, and (almost) no skin laxity. (Michael A. Bogdan, MD, FACS, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
We are all looking for an easy way to tighten the belly after children. Laser sounds good but is inefective. A tummy tuck tightens the muscles that have been stretched out from the child bearing and the excess skin is removed.
This is a terrific operation and gives excellent results in the hands of a well trained, board certified Plastic Surgeon.
If you go for laser, ask them for a money back guarantee if the skin does not tighten up. (William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon)
There is more to your situation than just a bit of extra skin, as your description hints.
Yes, the skin has lost elasticity, and it sounds like you are lean and otherwise in good shape. Howevre, the underlying supporting structures (like suspension structures), and the strength layer around the muscles are lax, explaining why things look flat when you are supine, and then slide when you are erect.
You already have the C-section scars, and likely this contributes to your deformity. Without benefit of exam, I would urge you to see a plastic surgeon to discuss tummy tuck which will remove the old scars, excess skin, stretch marks and tighten the muscle/strength layer. All will contribute to a sculpted torso.
Tummy tuck alternative laser will not be able to get close to fixing all of the other issues. (Scott E. Kasden, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)