Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

The abdomen can be significantly impacted by pregnancy. Pregnancy can cause weakened abdominal muscles, loose, saggy abdominal skin, abdominal fat collections, and stretch marks. These problems can affect self-esteem, self-image, and the quality of life for anyone who has been pregnant. Because of this, patients are eager to correct these problems so they can resume their normal lives.

For many women, tummy tuck surgery is not an option following pregnancy because of the time required for recovery and the associated expense. Under these circumstances, laser skin tightening can sometimes be attractive to patients. Unfortunately, this procedure has significant limitations. The procedure is unpredictable, generally not effective on the abdomen, and only effective in cases of mild skin laxity.

Abdominoplasty for loose skin

In the vast majority of cases, excess abdominal skin is best treated with tummy tuck for loose skin. This procedure can address multiple concerns including skin laxity, weakened muscles, fat accumulation, and stretch marks. It’s important that every patient undergo a critical analysis of their specific problems.

Each patient’s anatomic deformity is slightly different and this should be reflected in the treatment plan. Although there are occasional patients that benefit from laser skin tightening, the majority of patients will require abdominoplasty to correct their problems. (Richard J. Bruneteau, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)

From the description you give of loose skin after pregnancy and stretch marks, I believe you will most likely get the best result from either a mini or a full tummy tuck for loose skin. The ultimate decision will; however, need to be made with an examination to determine exactly how much loose skin you have. (Sacha Obaid, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

The tummy tuck for loose skin

At this stage of technology, I am not comfortable suggesting that satisfying results can be had with the nonsurgical skin-tightening technologies. The outcomes data is very weak. (Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, Hilton Head Island Plastic Surgeon)

If you have loose skin with stretch marks, the best way to treat it is be removing the skin with either a tummy tuck or a mini-tummy tuck. Lasers can not effectively eliminate loose skin or stretch marks. An exam by a board certified plastic surgeon would give you a more accurate evaluation. (William Bruno, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

The key to what will best meet your expectations is to have an in-depth consultation with a board certified Plastic Surgeon who has all technologies to use for post pregnancy loose skin. The issues that should be evaluated have to deal with where you have minimal loose skin.Is it above or below your umbilicus. Do you see it when standing or sitting?

Tummy tuck for loose skin image

A full tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck for loose skin with laser tightening or traditional liposuction may all provide the answer to your question. The key is the consultation and that the surgeon has experience with all possible approaches. (Laurie Casas, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck Vs Laser Skin Tightening for Minimal Loose Skin After Pregnancy

Without photographs it is difficult to answer your question with specifics. Based on your description it sounds like you would be a great candidate for a tummy tuck for loose skin given the amount of excess skin that you describe. Our office has the Smartlipo triplex (laser lipo that produces skin tightening) with which I have extensive experience with.

Tummy tuck for loose skin images

In addition we have multiple other radiofrequency skin tightening technologies than work as well to tighten the skin a bit. But the amount of skin you describe sounds like it would best be treated with a tummy tuck. Make a consultation with a surgeon in an office that has experience with these technologies so you they can give you an accurate assessment of which treatment is best for your based on your physical exam. (Luis H. Macias, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

The biggest trade off for you is will you accept the low pubic scar for a nearly perfectly flat abdomen which eliminates the stretch marks between your pubic region and your belly button. That flat abdomen of a tummy tuck is something that simply cannot be achieved with lipo alone. The muscle plication will give you the kind of flat abdomen you had before your child was born and the skin excision will eliminate completely the stretch marks that are below your belly button. You need to ask yourself whether the trade off for 2 weeks of downtime for your own goals will make you happy enough. Certainly if you have Vaser liposuction you don’t burn anybridges. You can come back for a tummy tuck for loose skin later. Just listen to yourself and talk to an experienced plastic surgeon. (Paul Vanek, MD, Cleveland Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck for loose skin photo

You could try skin tightening it will improve the abdominal muscle by 20% an abdominoplasty will repair the muscle.There will be a recovery with the abdominoplasty of about 5 days to drive10 days to go back to work. (Jhonny Salomon, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

If you have excellent skin quality/recoil/thickness, then i would recommend giving a skin tightening laser a try. It is minimally invasive and in the right patient can offer an acceptable tummy tuck result.

However, I find that most patient’s expectations cannot be met with laser skin tightening. For this reason, I primarily offer full or mini tummy tucks to address loose skin of the abdomen after pregnancy. Although these procedures require more downtime, they offer much more impressive results that are long lasting. (Paul S. Gill, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck surgery for loose skin

A tummy tuck for loose skin is the best way to get rid of moderate to severe excess skin in the abdomen. For more minor skin excess, liposuction can shrink the skin very nicely. A laser treatment to the skin will do very little. (Kurtis Martin, MD,
Cincinnati Plastic Surgeon)

A tummy tuck WILL definitely get rid of the excess skin. The other technologies MAY get rid of excess skin by tightening. The effects are variable and since no two patients are alike the results can be different.

One the other hand the Non Surgical Option is appealing due to minimal downtime etc etc. So, if you want a definitive answer then TT is the way to go, if you want to give it a try and happy with the outcome either way then try slim, laser lipo. (Naveen Somia, MBBS, PhD, FRACS, Sydney Plastic Surgeon)