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

Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty improves stretch marks appearences and might even remove them in some cases. They tighten the skin which also improves the appearence of stretch marks. (Jonathan Fisher, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

You are excellent candidate for a Tummy Tuck. At our practice we have performed surgery on patients with severe stretch marks and lose skin and their results have been very successful. (Jhonny Salomon, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

The most aggressive tummy tuck, a full tummy tuck, can only remove the stretch marks from the belly button down to the pubic area. In general, it would not remove the stretch marks above your belly button. That being said, from your photo, it is not clear if you would be a candidate for a full as opposed to a mini tummy tuck. Best to have an in person consultation! (Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS, Wellesley Plastic Surgeon)

Usually if a patient has a lot of stretch marks, there is more skin and more skin laxity than there seems. Especially if there are stretch marks above the belly button, the best procedure is usually a full tummy tuck for stretch marks. All of the stretch marks will not be removed, but the majority usually can be. Every patient is unique and as always, an exam will be necessary to determine how effective the procedure can be for you (Kelly E. Tjelmeland, MD, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

Based on your description, you will see much improvement in your contour by removal of the loose skin. Depending on the amount of loose skin, your surgeon may recommend a full or partial tummy tuck.

I typically find patients have a skin only problem, without much fatty tissue, have superb results once the skin is tightened. I wish you a safe recovery and fantastic result! (Paul S. Gill, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Stretch Marks and Tummy Tuck

Stretch marks are tears in the deeper layers of the skin (dermis) and show a loss of elasticity of the skin. Liposuction will remove the subcutaneous fat, but does not allow for the skin to contract, and often loose skin is worse after. A tummy tuck removes all the skin (and stretch marks) below the belly button, and those above get moved to the suprapubic area where they can be better hidden. (Christopher J. Kovanda, MD, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Over the last 10 years we have used many different modalities to get rid of stretch marks in my practice. Lasers, RF, ultrasound, etc. The only certain way is for the skin with stretch marks to be removed (excised) when performing a tummy tuck. This, of course, only addresses the stretch marks located in the area where the skin is removed. (Z. Paul Lorenc, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

The issue you are describing is the key goal of a tummy tuck for stretch marks. At this point, the best solution for stretch marks is to remove the skin that is overly stretched. A tummy tuck will do this. Your stretch marks are fairly high, as you describe them, so the problem can be in leaving some behind If that is the case, remember that the top incision should get pulled much much lower, below your panty line, which will, at the very least, put those marks in a much less conspicuous place.

Tightening the muscle can have a greater effect than you might think and can be used to improve your shape. I’d encourage you to find a board certified plastic surgeon whom you trust and let that persons exam and discussion guide your expectations. (Jeremy Pyle, MD, Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck as treatment for stretch marks

My initial thoughts after seeing the one image that you have posted are that you are a much better candidate for tummy tuck than for liposuction of the abdomen. You have significant laxity of your abdominal tissues, and that can only be addressed with removal.

Additionally, you have laxity of your muscle wall as well, and you would have optimal contouring of your tummy if you had that repaired also. This can only be done with a tummy tuck for stretch marks.

Regarding the stretch marks, the only benefits that you can expect from a tummy tuck are the removal of those that are within the area of skin that is removed with the tummy tuck and perhaps some tightening or stretching of the stretch marks that remain so that they are possibly a bit less noticeable.

They will always be there as they are really caused by fracture of the skin’s elastic fibers, and once that happens, unfortunately there is no way to reverse it or treat it other than removal. If stretch marks are your primary goal, I would think twice about tummy tuck for stretch marks, and liposuction will do nothing for them at all. (Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)

From your pictures you look like an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck provided that you are otherwise healthy. I tell my patients that a tummy tuck will remove all of the stretch marks from the belly button down to the pubic area. Any stretch marks that you have above the belly button will still be there but will be much lower in location and better hidden. (Sacha Obaid, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

In this case, ideal body weight and loose, damaged, stretch mark ridden skin and relatively little fat do not preclude the person from being a candidate for a TT. As of yet, we haven’t found a cure for stretch marks short of cutting them out! In this case, the marks above the level of the navel will not be able to be removed. (Mel T. Ortega, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

From your description, I would be very unlikely to even offer liposuction since that not only fails to improve stretch marks, it can make them worse.

Tummy tuck is the only way to permanently remove stretch marks but when you have them so high above the belly button, some will remain in almost every case.

Before and after tummy tuck pictures are a great way to get a realistic look at the likely result since this is not an uncommon problem. Although such cases are not commonplace on websites, these type of pictures should be readily available to view during your consultation with an experienced surgeon. (Gregory J. Stagnone, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty improves stretch marks appearences and might even remove them in some cases. They tighten the skin which also improves the appearence of stretch marks.