Do You Need Tummy Tuck After Liposuction?

Almost all the patients undergoing liposuction should not require a tummy tuck afterwords. It is imperative that your surgeon examine you properly to determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction, as need for a tummy tuck after a liposuction should never be a surprise.

Make sure you choose a well trained and experienced surgeon that can guide you to the proper surgical choice. (Boris M. Ackerman, MD, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)

Needing a Tummy Tuck AFTER Liposuction

Liposuction – removes localized fat and may uncover developed musculature hereto hidden by the fat. It will NOT shrink skin. It cannot bring separated 6 pack muscles together. It cannot correct stretch mark damaged skin.

Tummy tuck – WILL remove the lower tummy loose and damaged skin, will tighten the muscles and narrow the waist and will raise a sagging Mons pubis.

BOTH operations should ideally be done in people who have completed their families, whose weight is stable and who are mentally tired of their present figures and are ready to look the way they feel.

Although very careful liposuction of the front of the tummy may be done very carefully with certain types of full tummy tucks, in the majority of cases of combined tummy tuck and liposuction, it can only be done relatively safely along the back and flanks.

In people with more fat of the front of the tummy, it may be preferable to do a preliminary liposuction of the tummy and then wait 4-6 months to allow a safer tummy tuck during which more loose skin can be safely removed. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction removes only excess fat. A tummy tuck removes the fat, tightens the underlying muscles, and removes the excess skin while tightening the remaining skin. If you need a tummy tuck, then that is the procedure you should seek.

If your skin and muscles are fine, then liposuction alone will be fine. An experienced surgeon can recommend what is best for you after an examination. (Randy J. Buckspan, MD, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck after liposuction

If you are a good candidate for liposuction, you should not need a tummy tuck afterwards. Good candidates for liposuction only have excess fat. The overlying skin should still have its elastic properties and the underlying muscle tone should be good.

A tummy tuck is necessary when there is excess skin that will not shrink to the new abdominal contour after liposuction. Also, the abdominal muscles can be tightened with a tummy tuck. Often, liposuction and a tummy tuck can be combined to give the best abdominal contour. (Naveen Setty, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

Skin often retracts after liposuction

Unless you have a LOT of extra skin, excessively loose skin, or want a very tight appearance, you probably won’t need a tummy tuck after liposuction. Even people who think they will have a lot of loose skin are often satisfied with their result after liposuction.

If you are just looking to get rid of the bulges, liposuction alone is often satisfactory. If you are aiming to look great in a bikini, you may need to consider a tummy tuck. (Lawrence Osman, MD, Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon)

Liposuction and tummy tuck combination – Combining liposuction and tummy tuck

A tummy tuck procedure is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. Liposuction will remove subcutaneous fat and may reduce minor skin excess with tissue retraction.

You should not need a tummy tuck after liposuction surgery if you underwent the initial procedure with the correct indictations. (Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

A tummy tuck may be required to remove excess skin after abdominal liposuction

After abdominal liposuction, the skin may not tighten a lot and the excess skin may need to be removed with a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck.

However, depending on the circumstance, the abdominal skin can really tighten nicely after liposuction without needing a tummy tuck. (Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck versus liposuction for abdominal contouring

Liposuction is a popular and effective way to contour the body. Tummy tucks are a popular way to contour the abdomen in patients that have extra fat and extra or loose skin and may have loose abdominal muscles as well.

A non-pleasing result may occur if liposuction is performed on a patient who has a great deal of extra skin because this can lead to excessive wrinkling in the abdomen after just a liposuction. To find out if you would best be served by liposuction, a tummy tuck, or both, your best bet is to be evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in these techniques.

They will be able to examine you and determine which combination of techniques would best meet your aesthetic goals. (Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction can loosen abdominal skin

If you have stretch marks, folks of loose skin and your abdominal tissues just look ‘lax’ – having liposuction will likely worsen these issues. You would be better off with a tummy tuck, which treats abdominal skin laxity, abdominal wall laxity and excess fat. (Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

If your issue is fat and fat only and your skin and muscular tension look good, then liposuction alone will likely be helpful.

Otherwise lean toward a tummy tuck. See a surgeon who does both so you are not steered away from the better alternative. (John P. Di Saia, MD, Orange Plastic Surgeon)

If your skin is lax and lost its elasticity, you will need a Tummy Tuck. If your skin is is tight and has not lost its elasticity and you have excess fat localized in the abdomen then you do not need a Tummy Tuck. (Samir Shureih, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)

Difference between Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Liposuction is done when you have fat deposits right under the skin that need to be removed whereas a tummy tuck is necessary when you have loose skin and and a stretched stomach muscle. In the case of a stretched stomach muscle, sit-ups can’t give you the six pack you always wanted, and a tummy tuck may be necessary.

Also, it is common to combine both procedures. (Usha Rajagopal, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)

Skin after Lipo

If you have nice elastic skin that is not loose lipo alone may be right for you. If you have a lot of stretch marks, inelastic skin that is loose then tummy tuck may be a better option.

Tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction. Consultation with a plastic surgeon well skilled in lipo is your first step. (Edmond A. Zingaro, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)