Which Is Better For My Stomach Overhang – Liposuction Or A Tummy Tuck?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 22 year old female who is 5’6″ and weighs 165 lbs. I used to weigh 220lbs. I seem to be at a plateau for weight loss over the past year of which I am comfortable with that. But I have a remaining overhanging stomach pouch (I think it is called a pannus ??) that has not really gone away that much with the weight loss. It has gotten less full but now hangs down  more. I have very large breasts and thick thighs and butt so I know I will never be tiny, but I would like my overhang gone and to have a flatter stomach area. Should I get liposuction or have a tummy tuck?

A: This is  classic question posed by many patients who have some amount of a stomach overhang. By definition, the description of an overhang signifies that there is a skin excess problem as well as too much fat. Liposuction alone will only magnify the prior result of what weight loss has done, it will deflate the overhang (aka pannus) further but it will still leave a flap of skin. You need this cut off by a tummy tuck. Liposuction is only useful in your case when combined with a tummy tuck, as it may help contour the waistline better to the sides where the tummy tuck excision does not go. 

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana