What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of My Spare Tire – Liposuction Or A Tummy Tuck?

Q: I’m 46 years old. I have a spare tire around my middle. I don’t want to lose weight because I end up losing my breast and butt. What procedure do you recommend?

A: When someone has a ‘spare tire’ around their middle, they could be referring to two basic types of waistline problems. The first would be fat only. They have thickness around the middle and waistline due to a fat collection but there is no loose or overhanging skin. The other problem is one in which there is both too much fat but with excess skin as well. Each requires a different solution. The fat only problem is treated by liposuction of which Smartlipo (laser liposuction) is my current choice. For a fat and skin problem, a tummy tuck or an abdominoplasty is needed. Often liposuction must be added to the tummy tuck to get those muffin tops which wrap around the sides of the waistline into the back.

You are correct in assuming that some surgical intervention is needed if you are not willing to try some weight loss efforts. Such ’spot’ body contouring changes require surgical treatrment.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana