What would be the best surgery out of a tummy tuck and liposuction to get better results of a flat stomach?

Your questions answered by our surgeon, Lucian Ion, FRCS(Plast)

Asked on 15 November 2011

Question

I have tried to lose weight and lost a few stone in the past 4 years. I was wondering what would be the best surgery out of a tummy tuck and liposuction to get better results of a flat stomach?

Answer

The results in term of contouring of the abdomen depend on the characteristics of the skin and the presence or absence of a weakness between the rectus (six-pack) muscles, termed diastasis or divarication of the recti.

If there is no weakness and the skin is relatively strong despite the weight-loss, liposuction is a good approach, and would be complemented by exercise to tone the abdominal muscles.

If the skin has started to become inelastic, with stretch marks a small lower abdominal apron, or there is diastasis of the recti, abdominoplasty offers a better contouring effect. This can be amplified by liposuction to the flanks for a circumferential contouring effect.

Mr Lucian Ion FRCS(Plast)
129 Harley Street
London
W1G 6BA