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

Tummy tuck without muscle plication

I too have offered this procedure when recovery time and cost is an issue.

I don’t believe it is “cheap” but it does provide a service based upon the patients desires and not the surgeon’s.

Although a formal tummy tuck would be the most appropriate, a skin only abdominoplasty will remove the extra skin and stretch marks.

As long as you realize the specific benefit and are willing to forego the muscle repair, it is much better t than doing nothing. (Timothy Fee, MD, Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon)

Removing excess skin and fat IS a tummy tuck

Tummy tuck skin removal photo

It sounds like you are doing all the right things with diet and exercise, but unfortunately these will not tighten skin when there are stretch marks, and you cannot “spot reduce” to selectively affect the fat in the abdominal area.

That is why tummy tucks are done, for the things you can’t accomplish on your own. Do not let yourself be sold on anything less than a full tummy tuck.

The muscle repair is optional but it is a very good idea to include it if they are separated, which is likely after your pregnancy. (Richard Baxter, MD, Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

It is possible to get improvement without muscle repair

Tummy tuck surgery skin removal

I have to respectfully disagree with my colleagues. In my experience, you can get significant improvement with an operation that removes the fat and skin, without tightening the muscles. And more importantly, the recovery IS significantly shorter and easier when no muscle plication is done. Yes, the resulting belly will not be as flat or tight compared to a traditional tummy tuck, but the shorter recovery may be worth a small sacrifice in results. I perform a non-muscle plication procedure called Smooth Tuck that has shown great results in patients who are “too obese” for a tummy tuck, or are perfect tummy tuck candidates (like you) but desire a less invasive procedure with a more rapid return to work.

I understand why some surgeons “poo-poo” this approach, but my patients have been extremely happy and travel from all over the world to get this done. Yes, your results will be better with a muscle plication, but that does not mean there are not acceptable alternative. (Matthew Schulman, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

The tummy tuck skin removal

Why would you do half a job? I think you would be making a big mistake and be ultimately unhappy with the result. You will have all the incisions for a tummy tuck and the healing time without repairing the split muscle. The lower abdomen will always bulge and it would be so simple with the incisions to do it right the first time. I am sure you will find a doctor willing to do the surgery. (Steven Schuster, MD, Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon)

Skin only abdominoplasty

Tummy tuck for skin removal

Given the severity of your excess skin it is not unreasonable to have a skin only abdominoplasty. It would not give you as good a resultas a full muscle tightening abdominoplasty but it hurts less and has less complications. As long as you are aware of and agreeable to the lesser results it is a reasonable way to g. I don’t think you save any significant money that way but it depends on who is doing it and at what facility. (John P. Stratis, MD, Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon)

The procedure you end up getting is a function of your anatomy and what you desire. Each procedure should be customized to your specific situation. I cannot say if you do or do not have significant diastasis or separation of the muscle or if you need to have your muscle repaired to achieve the look you want. The plastic surgeon that examines you should go over all the pros and cons of any procedure and justify why it is being performed.

Medical reason for tummy tuck skin removal

Since it is elective surgery, you and your surgeon must come to a meeting of the minds. I have often not performed muscle tightening because the majority of what the anatomy demands is in the skin and fat and tightening the muscle may not add much in terms of appearance. In addition, some patients will have increased risks with muscle tightening. (Robin T.W. Yuan, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

Respectfully, I think you are making the wrong decision. To bring a 10 pound baby to full term your six pack (Rectus abdomens) muscles HAD to split to allow the growth of the womb. Only after the muscles were separated and stretched was the overlying (which bothers you) stretched out. Removing the hanging skin and fat, also known as an Apron Resection or Panniculectomy, will remove most of the overhang but will leave you with a wide stretched out waist, full belly and sagging mons pubis. To get a flat tummy you NEED to have a muscle repair. Without it you will lose out on a potentially great result in favor of at best, a so-so result. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)