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

I would worry that liposuction to the abdomen will leave you feeling you are worse off than before You will not get much or any tightening of skin, nor any repair of the muscle wall.

A tummy tuck will address the fat, the skin excess and the laxity of the abdominal muscles, and is a far superior option.

A tummy tuck would probably be better suited for you, judging by your photos. Liposuction can make your skin sag more and worsen the appearance of your stretch marks.

However, please talk to your surgeon for their advice. (Jerome Edelstein, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

Skin retraction after abdominal liposuction?

Tummy tuck versus liposuction photo

You will NOT get good skin retraction after abdominal liposuction because your photos show that you already have lost all good elasticity in your tummy skin. Only a tummy tuck will give you a flat tight abdomen. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

I do see loose abdominal skin and if only liposuction is performed I do not think skin retraction will be enough. My concern is that you will have loose abdominal skin after your liposuction. Of course it is important to discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon and ask the surgeon if your skin will tighten enough following liposuction. (Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS, Boston Plastic Surgeon)

Many women present with loose abdominal skin and some excess fat on the abdomen wondering whether to do liposuction or a tummy tuck. Most patients, like you wonder if their skin is elastic enough to retract following liposuction alone.

Tummy tuck versus liposuction image

The answer lies in what the essential problem is. If there is extra fat, but the skin and muscle are fine, then liposuction alone is adequate. However, if a patient requires any degree of skin or muscle tightening, then a tummy tuck will give a far superior result, without the risk of contour irregularities.

In your case, your photos demonstrate significant skin laxity as well as some stretch marks on the abdomen; therefore elasticity has been compromised. And, following two kids, your muscles are likely separated (diastasis recti). Therefore, I would highly recommend a tummy tuck and simultaneous liposuction of the abdomen to harvest fat for your Brazilian Butt Lift. Liposuction alone will likely leave you with a very dissatisfied result, and a high risk of contour irregularities. (Gilbert Lee, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)

When A Tummy Tuck is Needed

Tummy tuck surgery versus liposuction

Based on your decision not to have any more children and your pre-operative photographs, I would highly recommend a tummy tuck for you. I perform tummy tucks for patients who have laxity and damaged skin (stretch marks and excess skin) that will not contract enough following liposuction and separation of the abdominal muscles called diastasis recti. Commonly, these woman have had at least 1 pregnancy.

Your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon could liposuction your lower abdomen and collect the fat required for your BBL, because the skin and fat below your belly button and your pubic area will be removed. Also, abdominal liposuction alone will not tighten the separation of your abdominal muscles and your abdomen will continue to sag. Most 35 year olds will be disappointed with this.  (Richard Wellington Swift, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Full tummy tuck with flank liposuction is ideal combination

Abdomoplasty versus liposuction

Based on your photos, I’d recommend an abdominoplasty and liposuction of the flanks. Liposuction alone would not address the skin laxity that you have along your abdomen. (Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

The decision to have a tummy tuck versus liposuction is based on the skin quality. Some findings that may suggest a tuck is better are looseness of the skin and the presence of stretch marks. Reviewing your photos, I think that a tummy tuck would serve you best. Liposuction can be used in addition to fine tune the effects in your flanks. (Asaad H. Samra, MD, New Jersey Plastic Surgeon)

Judging from the amount of extra skin that you have in your photographs, I would recommend a tummy tuck. Liposuction is designed to remove extra fat but not extra skin. Tummy tuck on the other hand will remove extra skin, extra fat, and tighten up your six pack abs.

If you do not want the scar of a tummy tuck, you will definitely be improved by the liposuction but you will likely have a significant amount of extra skin after.  (Sacha Obaid, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

You have hanging skin. There is no machine created that can cause this skin to retract and look good. It needs surgical excision with a tummy tuck (Norman Bakshandeh, MD, FACS, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck or liposuction

Your skin is too damaged with thinning and stretch marks from your pregnancies to expect it to retract and give a good cosmetic result. If a scar is a good trade (and you will need one anyway to tighten the muscles), plan to have a tummy tuck. Perhaps the liposuction is the procedure you should do without. Discuss your true expectations with your surgeon and decide before you proceed. (Deborah Ekstrom, MD, Worcester Plastic Surgeon)