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

Each operation has different goals (or in medicalese – indications). A Tu Tummy Tuck is meant to correct tummy tissue excess – excess skin, excess looseness, muscle separation from pregnancies etc.

A Tummy Tuck will bring the muscles together, flatten the tummy, narrow the waist and raise a sagging pubic mound. Liposuction will remove localized pockets of fat.

It will not do anything else despite everything else you may hear. Your best bet is to see 3 plastic surgeons and have them advise you how to best reach your goals. Pick the one you trust the most. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)

Its amazing how many patients misdiagnose what they need or incorrectly assess their appearance. The fastest way to find out what you need is to make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon. This will allow you not only to see what you need but also to ask questions about recovery, pain, followup, etc. It will also give you an idea of the cost of the procedure. (Robert Frank, MD, Munster Plastic Surgeon)

Choosing between Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

The Tummy Tuck or Lipo

Traditionally, a tummy tuck works best for patients who want to remove excess skin along with fatty tissue (ex. following pregnancy/stretch marks, extreme weight loss, lax abdominal muscles). An abdominoplasty will also allow your plastic surgeon to tighten your abdominal muscles if indicated. Liposuction works best for patients whose main problem is a mild /moderate amount of excess fatty tissue with good skin tone/elasticity. Usually younger, fit patients. I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you and determine which procedure is best for you. (David A. Robinson, MD, Munster Plastic Surgeon)

The important thing to recognize in your case is that liposuction has limitations: it will not ‘tighten’ your skin- no matter if your skin is heated with ultrasound or a laser – liposuction, in of itself, does not tighten skin. Youthful, elastic skin has the ability to ‘shrink’ around the reduced volume that was liposuctioned.

Tummy Tuck or Lipo image

This ability is inherent to your skin, not to the liposuction technique that was used. If you are starting with skin laxity and stretch marks on your abdomen, liposuction alone will likely exacerbate these issues. (Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

If you are looking to accomplish tightening you are usually looking at a tummy tuck. If you have fatty excesses and tightening is not in the goal picture, them lipo might be adequate. (John P. Di Saia, MD, Orange Plastic Surgeon)

The true way is to see a board certified plastic surgeon to exam you. Some things that point you more towards a tummy tuck is multiple pregnancies, loose skin, skin with stretch marks and bulging of the abdomen when you are completely relaxed.  (Farbod Esmailian, MD, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck vs. Lipo

Tummy Tuck or Lipo photo

This decision to have a tummy tuck or liposuction is in most cases straightforward: if your skin quality is good, your abdominal muscles intact and not stretched from pregnancy and you just have some excess fat, liposuction will usually work very well. If on the other hand the skin is stretched or thin, the abdominal muscles stretched or the belly bulges a bit, then a tummy tuck is really the only way to get a significant improvement.

I would look at the before and after photos of the surgeons you consult with to get an idea of what can be achieved with each option. This and your consultation should give you a good idea of what you can expect from each procedure.  (Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Often liposuction and tummy tucks are combined. Lateral rolls are preferably liposuctioned rather than cut or excised. Excess fat above the umbilicus is liposuctioned. Separation of abdominal muscles needs to be repaired surgically with a tummy tuck operation.

Tummy Tuck surgery or Lipo

This condition is called diastasis recti. Pregnancy is a big cause of separated abdominal muscles. If there is a roll of skin causing an overhang this needs to be excised directly during a tummy tuck. Liposuction does not correct loose rolls of skin. Sometimes the roll can be excised and coupled with liposuction to create a better looking abdomen, without a tummy tuck if muscle work is not needed.  Check it out with your surgeon. There are many options for you. (Keith Denkler, MD, Marin Plastic Surgeon)

See a plastic surgeon to decide between tummy tuck and lipo

I just saw a patient yesterday who had been to a liposuction clinic for another consult. She was seen only by a salesperson, who examined her and recommended liposuction (of course, since that’s all they do). The problem is that she had extensive stretch marks, loose skin, and a separation of the muscles, all of the things that a tummy tuck corrects in addition to removal of localized fat.

What Tummy Tuck or Lipo

She was clearly not a good candidate for liposuction alone. A plastic surgeon who does both procedures is in the best position to recommend the right treatment. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Depending on whether you have loose skin or fat deposits or both, will determine the best operation for you. If it is just loose skin may be all you need is a tummy tuck with tightening of the muscles of the abdomen. What I find most frequently is that the great majority of patients would be best served with a combination of liposuction of the abdomen to thin out the skin flaps to give better definition of the abdominal musculature in combination with repairing the abdominal muscle separation and a resection of the excess loose skin.

This not only gives a much better looking and feeling result but also allows me to preserve the nerves and blood supply to the upper abdominal skin which makes the operation less painful, less likely to have a complication and precludes the need of a drain.

Patients also get moving faster with less loss of sensation to their abdominal skin. Almost always it is a good idea to preform liposuction on the hip/waist area at the same time in order to markedly improve the result by giving the patient a well defined waist, sometimes for the first time in their life.

All things said, you should have a thorough consultation and physical examination by a board certified plastic surgeon who will discuss your goals, options and expectations and give you a realistic appraisal of what can best meet those goals. You will be happiest when what the surgeon can accomplish more closely matches those goals. (Theodore Katz, MD, FACS, Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon)