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

Tummy Tuck best corrects skin laxity

The procedure that you choose should have the best chance of achieving the result that you want. If you bend forward and the loose skin that you have is “gross” to you it would be best to choose an abdominoplasty.

Tummy tuck laser can be tailored to the problems present in your abdomen, and often after three pregnancies the muscle is loose and the elasticty of the skin severely compromised. As in all cosmetic procedures, tummy tuck is not a single technique and can be modified as a lower tummy tuck, often called a mini tummy tuck, or designed to address the entire abdomen if needed. In either case, the procedure must correct the skin issue you note in your question.

Abdominoplasty laser skin tightening

Tummy tuck laser is a new technique which is as yet unproven. The laser creates heat which ruptures the fat cells and causes a thermal effect in the surrounding tissue, simply put a burn. The ruptured fat can be removed like traditional liposuction or ultrasonic liposuction or left to reabsorb in localized areas. The heat effect is felt to shrink the skin, but the jury is still out.

I still believe that if fat is the problem, and your skin tone is good, liposuction with any technique is for you. However, if the skin is lax make sure you find a board certified surgeon who can provide the best tummy tuck for you. (Peter E. Johnson, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

If excess skin hangs above and or below belly botton at the time of bending forward ( diving position ) or drapes over pubic area at the time of sitting position, laser is not going to help and would become disappointing. The only appropriate solution is abdominoplasty. (Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck laser

Tummy tuck laser tends to be unpredictable and can take far longer

It sounds like the amount of loose skin you have is minimal and because you work out regularly, you sound like you’re in good shape. Nonsurgical aesthetic medical treatments using advanced laser technology can tighten the skin and minimize the appearance of stretch marks, however the results are far less predictable than a tummy tuck and can often be very slow in appearing. If you have the patience, you can try the nonsurgical route first, understanding that it may take several sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Even after a full year of regular treatments, you may only experience a minor improvement. However, you may be lucky and experience a great improvement – it’s difficult to say because of the unpredictability of it.

Tummy tuck laser photo

As for a tummy tuck laser, in your case, you would probably only require a mini tummy tuck to remove excess skin and perhaps some of the stretch marks (but it’s likely not all). This is based only on the info you’ve provided. I recommend visiting a plastic surgeon who has knowledge of laser skin tightening and other nonsurgical aesthetic medical treatments to see which is most suitable for you. (Jerome Edelstein, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

While a tummy tuck laser can be an excellent treatment in some areas of the body, particularly, the face, its ability to tighten skin in other areas continues to be disappointing.

Unfortunately when the skin is loose in the lower abdomen I do not believe the laser technology can create enough contraction of the skin to satisfy patients.

Tummy tuck laser skin tightening

Skin removal in the form of mini or full tummy tuck still does the best job of removing lower abdominal excess skin and stretch marks. (Adam Tattelbaum, MD, Washington DC Plastic Surgeon)

A tummy tuck will remove skin and fat from your abdomen. In my office, I use a laser protocol to also help with stretch marks if you do not wish to undergo surgery. (Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Without pictures or an examination it is hard to tell what exactly it is you need. My recommendation would be to contact a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced with the tummy tuck procedure for best results. Keep in mind some skin tightening solutions aren’t as effective as removing the skin. Best of luck to you. (Jaime Perez, MD, Tampa Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck laser before image

In general, I have been disappointed with the results of laser skin tightening for loose belly skin. Given that you already have a c-section scar, if the only loose skin that bothers you is below your belly button, you may get a better result from a mini tummy tuck (Otto Joseph Placik, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Patients who have had a pregnancy can often experience some loosening of the skin. There are many good options to treat this condition. It is a mild amount of loosening, this may be addressed by performing a small excision of the abdominal skin and fat. In your case, the surgeon would use your existing C-section scar so this would not create additional scars on your body. Your best bet is to be evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience with abdominoplasty and body contouring techniques.

Laser skin tightening tummy tuck

In women who have been pregnant, their abdomens should be assessed for the tightness of the muscles. If their muscles are loose, they may be tightened with different suture techniques, this can be done at the same time as the treatment for your loose skin. (Pat Pazmino, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

If you notice loose skin and roundness especially when leaning over, you have excess skin and most certainly separated abdominal muscles. The ONLY thing that will make these problems better is a tummy tuck.

If you have money to waste on Laser Liposuction or Thermage, you should instead send it to your favorite charity. At least then, it won’t have been completely wasted. (Brian K. Brzowski, MD, Ogden Plastic Surgeon)

If you have had a few kids, previous c-sections, and loose hanging skin, then you are probably better off having a tummy tuck. The skin tightening lasers give about a 15-20% improvement of the skin at most! (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)