In order to rejuvenate the abdominal area, Dr. Short must first decide which procedure you are a better candidate for.  You can either opt for liposuction of the abdomen or an abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck").  The goal of each procedure is the same--to improve the appearance of the abdomen--but the procedures are quite different.

If you are mainly concerned with a "pocket of fat" in the lower abdomen you are probably a better candidate for liposuction. Liposuction to the abdomen will reduce the fatty tissue layer and you will look better in clothes, but it will not improve stretch marks or loose skin.  If you're more concerned about stretch marks, skin laxity, or a fatty ("jelly-like") appearance of the skin of the abdomen, you'll need to have a "tummy tuck" or an abdominoplasty.  A tummy tuck will remove the stretch marks to the skin, tighten the skin envelope and repair the separation of the rectus muscles.  I'll review with you in detail the options that are available and what would be the best treatment for your particular concerns.

Many individuals are often frustrated because no amount of weight loss or exercise can improve the appearance of persistent lower abdominal fullness, "pooch," or loose skin.  Once the abdominal skin has been stretched due to pregnancy or weight gain, the abdomen often fails to return to its original shape.  If you have localized fat with a lot of loose or overhanging abdominal skin and laxity of the abdominal muscles, you would probably benefit most from an abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck" procedure.

If you have mainly an extra layer of fatty tissue but no loose skin or laxity of the abdominal muscles, you may achieve a nice result with liposuction alone.

Abdominoplasty

Before	After

The above patient has very loose skin and laxity of the abdominal wall, but very little fat; therefore she was a better candidate for an abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck." 

Liposuction of the Abdomen

Before	After

This patient primarily had liposis, or fatty tissue, of the abdomen. Although she had some loose skin of the abdomen, using the Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction allowed enough skin contraction to give her a nice result with liposuction alone.



Liposuction of the Abdomen vs.  Abdominoplasty ("Tummy tuck")